Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia Douglas ('07, LD '15) returns as new director of Annual Fund
Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Rome, GA
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Douglas (’07, LD ’15) returns as new director of Annual Fund

August 5, 2015 | 913 views

Julia Douglas ('07, LD '15)

Julia Douglas ('07, LD '15) has joined the Advancement Office at Darlington School as the new director of annual giving. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Georgia and has six years of experience in advancement, both professionally and through internships.

The alumna is no stranger to Darlington’s advancement initiatives. She is not only the daughter of former Campaign Coordinator Pat Douglas, but also served as a student volunteer and intern in the office.

“I received a much earlier look into advancement than many others do,” said Douglas. “When this opportunity appeared, it looked like the perfect chance to come back and become even more involved at Darlington.”

In Douglas’ new role, her primary focus will be to raise money for the Annual Fund and work closely with parents, grandparents and alumni volunteers to assist in the process. Darlington’s Annual Fund supports the work and programming of the school, helping to bolster the operating budget for everything from alumni programs to residential programs, fine arts, athletics, and a wide variety of other school initiatives and activities.

“A lot of people don’t realize what it takes to run the school,” said Douglas. “The private support that the fund provides is essential to making sure that the mission of the School is maintained. Without the Annual Fund, we wouldn't be ‘Darlington.’”

Before returning to her alma mater, Douglas spent two years as an annual giving officer at the University of Georgia School of Law. She has also completed internships with Zoo Atlanta's Advancement Office and a local congressman. As an undergraduate, Douglas volunteered as a student telefundraiser for two years and was named a Consistent Top 5 Caller for raising over $50,000 per year. 

“Advancement is connecting people back to Darlington, building and maintaining those relationships from the time that they are a student and beyond becoming an alum, so that they may give back and be involved in some way,” she added. 

Douglas has remained an active part of the School’s alumni base, and graduated from Leadership Darlington in March.

“Having taken part in that program, I was even more excited to come back,” said Douglas.  

“We love having Darlington graduates in our office,” said Julie Lucas, director of development. “We think that that is really important to be able to connect with all of our alumni. She received amazing experience working with the UGA Law School’s top volunteers, and we are thrilled to have Julia back.”

Lucas, Darlington’s former Annual Fund director, will continue to focus on major gifts and will work closely with Douglas as they support the work of the Advancement Office.

“It is really like she never left,” added Lucas. “Darlington is lucky to have her back in Rome and on campus.” 

“I feel like it’s come full circle,” said Douglas. “I was a student before, but now I get to work here and can really get the full Darlington experience.” 

Douglas resides in Rome.