Important Announcement May 2024

Diocese of Raleigh Appoints Chief Development Officer and Announces Comprehensive Development Initiative

Raleigh, NC – Bishop Luis Zarama is pleased to announce an important step in a transformative initiative to enhance the Diocese of Raleigh’s fundraising and development efforts. Dawn Stark, MBA, CFRE has been named Chief Development Officer of the Diocese of Raleigh and Executive Director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh.

“We welcome Dawn to our great diocese as part of our growing family of Catholics in Eastern North Carolina,” said Bishop Luis.

A comprehensive development review in 2023 resulted in the directive to better centralize and coordinate all development activities to help the diocese manage growth, expand ministries, provide better service to parishes and schools and build better relationships with its generous donors. In addition to coordinating the work of The Foundation, Bishop’s Annual Appeal and all major gift fundraising activities, Stark, in the newly created position of Chief Development Officer, will also serve as the Executive Director of The Foundation, beginning July 1. The Foundation retains its status as a separate corporation, independently administrated and audited, and also remains committed to faithfully stewarding the assets in its care according to the intentions of donors and the respective guidelines and governance of its endowments and other assets.

“We are excited to welcome Dawn to Eastern North Carolina and look forward to bringing her experience and leadership to our vision to grow the Church and share God’s hope in eastern North Carolina,” said Fr. Michael Burbeck, Vicar General of the Diocese of Raleigh and President of the Foundation Board of Directors.

**About Dawn M. Stark**

Dawn Stark's impressive 19-year career in advancement began with Mustard Seed Communities, a Catholic international organization dedicated to serving society's most vulnerable populations. She has predominantly worked within school communities, both private and international. Her first major campaign was a $7.5 million project to build a new middle school building at St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta, GA, marking her entry into major gift fundraising.

In 2008, while working full time, Dawn pursued an MBA with a focus on Nonprofit Management, which complemented her professional development and led to her earning the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credentials. One of her most notable achievements was leading a fundraising campaign at the Cathedral of Christ the King and Christ the King School in Atlanta, GA which involved constructing a new 50,000 square foot building and renovating four existing structures on an urban campus. Dawn successfully mobilized a large volunteer base to support various fundraising initiatives, including the Annual Fund, Endowment, Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, and others.

In 2019, Dawn took a leap of faith and joined a tier-one international school in Southeast Asia, where she led a multicultural team and experienced significant professional growth. She has also consulted for nonprofits, providing leadership coaching and fundraising expertise. Recently, she obtained a coaching certificate in mindset and life coaching.