Growing up, Maggie Waked Hightower said she didn’t know she could make a living as a fundraiser.
She does now.
Last fall, a little more than a year ago, she took the position as director of major gifts for the Florida State College Foundation. That means she is responsible for soliciting gifts of $25,000 and up for college initiatives.
“I love meeting with people,” said Hightower, who is supposed to visit with a dozen prospects a month.
While Hightower calls on big names in Jacksonville, she isn’t necessarily intimidated. “People are people,” she said, explaining that she can relate “about families and things that are important.”
The 32-year-old Fort Lauderdale native graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree in communications specializing in public relations and psychology.
She started her nonprofit career as a program supervisor with Best Buddies International, dedicated to creating relationships and leadership and employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
She moved up the ranks as deputy director of programs and director of programs for Florida, earning recognition in 2006 from organization founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver as “Supervisor of the Year.”
She then joined The Jacksonville Public Library Foundation and became executive director, raising money for the library system and working with the foundation’s board.
Hightower is the oldest of four children. Her father is a doctor and her mom was a clothing buyer.
While she enjoys South Florida, her roots are growing in Jacksonville. Five years ago, she married Parker Hightower, the son of Sue and Mike Hightower, the lobbyist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. Maggie and Mike cross paths professionally, as well.
Maggie Hightower not only has worked for nonprofits, she also volunteers and serves on boards.
For example, she has been president of the Up & Cummers board for The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and was the treasurer of The Crew Young Professionals for HabiJax. She was a member of the 2010 class of Leadership Jacksonville.
Next year, she will serve as president of the First Coast Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
“I like to be on the forefront of a lot of activities,” she said. “We’re always at an event.”
In addition to her career and volunteer activities, Hightower likes to travel and read and enjoys fashion.
Her insight into the world: “If you’re kind to people, everything will work itself out.”
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