Stephen Levy

Stephen M. Levy, CFRE, is president of Levy Philanthropic Counsel, a nationally recognized firm providing services focusing on governance, fundraising campaigns, strategic planning and stewardship. Prior to founding his firm in 1998, Levy served as the first employee and founding director of development and external relations for the Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for over 15 years. His accomplishments included the establishment of three independent volunteer boards with explicit written expectations, and the design and management of numerous annual, major gifts and planned giving campaigns.

Levy is a volunteer leader on numerous nonprofit boards. He served as chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Foundation Board (AFP) and held several leadership positions, including chair of the nominating, finance and planned giving committee. He also served as president of the Long Island Chapter of AFP and chair of Philanthropy Day.

Levy received the ‘Ben Franklin Fundraising Award’ from AFP and the ‘Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award’ from the Long Island Chapter of AFP. He also received the ‘Distinguished Leadership Award’” from Long Island Business News, and the ‘Community Builders Award’” from the Suffolk Association for Jewish Educational Services. A faculty member since 2002, he is known to enthuse students with his perspective on the ‘privilege of asking’ and his genuine philosophy of ‘sharing in the joy’ of giving.

Levy received his master’s degree from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and earned his certified fundraising executive status in 1989.

Stephen Levy teaches Major Gifts and Foundations of Fundraising and Development.