Henry A. Rosso Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS099

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The majority of the Henry A. Rosso Papers relate to his teaching in the Fundraising School. The folders, which contain readings, newspaper clippings, teaching materials, and worksheets, are arranged in alphabetical order by subject, excepting the introduction, glossary, and appendices.

The collection also contains some correspondence, primarily related to the publication of his book Rosso on Fundraising, and collections of memos and newsletters from G.A. Brakeley and Brakeley, John Price Jones. There are several folders of the Fundraising School promotional materials, a survey of TFRS students, and copies of articles written by Fundraising School faculty.

Dates

1956 - 1998

Creator

Rosso, Henry A., 1917- (Creator, Person)

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to the public without restriction.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Biographical / Historical

Henry "Hank" Rosso was born in Princeton, New Jersey in 1917. As a reported on his high school newspaper, he interviewed Albert Einstein (in 1935) and witnessed the Hindenburg disaster (in 1937). He served in the Army as a sergeant during World War II and graduated Syracuse University in 1949. His first experience as a fundraiser began with the first Mother's March on Polio, which later became the March of Dimes. He also supported the United Way, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, Planned Parenthood, and numerous other nonprofit organizations.

Rosso served as senior vice president and chair of the board of directors for G.A. Brakeley, the well-known consulting firm. In 1974, he and his partners (including his wife Dottie) began the Fund Raising School in San Rafael, California. As their business grew, they began traveling to cities across the United States to provide their training to fundraisers. The School moved to Indianapolis in 1988, a year after the creation of the Center on Philanthropy (now the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy). Rosso served as the Director of the Fundraising School under the auspices of the COP until his retirement.

In 1985 the National Society of Fund Raising Executives named Rosso Fundraiser of the Year. He was the author of two books on the subject of fundraising: Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, and Rosso on Fundraising.

Rosso died in 1999 in Petaluma, California.

Extent

1.4 Cubic Feet (1 record carton, 1 document case)

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Presented by Dottie Rosso, 2003 and 2011. A2002/03-010, A2010/11-025.

Bibliography

Haddad, F. Duke. "Henry 'Hank' Rosso: The Impact of a Legend." Nonprofit PRO, April 28, 2017. http://www.nonprofitpro.com/post/henry-hank-rosso-impact-legend. Accessed August 17, 2017.
Kranz, Betsy. "Center on Philanthropy." Learning to Give. http://www.learningtogive.org/resources/center-philanthropy-indiana-university. Accessed on August 17, 2017.

General

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