Markoff to Lead Emerging Damar Foundation
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowRichard Markoff has been named president of the newly-created Damar Foundation. Damar Services established the foundation to support the work of the non-profit that serves children and adults challenged by developmental and behavioral disabilities.
June 26, 2014
News Release
Richard Markoff has been named president of the newly created Damar Foundation. Damar Services' board of directors established the foundation to help raise funds to support the work of the non-profit that has been serving children and adults challenged by autism, as well as intellectual, developmental and behavioral disabilities for more than 40 years.
“The cost to care for and treat our clients has jumped significantly due to the increasing severity of their disabilities, combined with the reduction of government reimbursements,” said Dr. Jim Dalton, president and CEO of Damar Services. “So, in order to continue to provide our level of innovative and individualized services, philanthropy has a much larger role at Damar today than ever before, and we’re thrilled to have Rick join us in meeting that challenge.”
Damar’s staff of more than 800 serves approximately 1,500 clients and families daily through community-based and residential treatment, outpatient behavioral health, ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) Autism Services by Damar, Damar Freeway Academy, Damar Charter Academy, Damar Foster Care Services and more.
Markoff most recently served as visiting senior advisor to Chancellor Charles Bantz at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and as visiting lecturer, teaching graduate courses in organizational leadership for the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI.
“Personally, I am excited by this calling to serve those challenged by autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities through the Damar Foundation,” said Markoff. “It has been an honor to work with Chancellor Charles Bantz on the Central Indiana Education Alliance, and to teach very talented IUPUI graduate students regarding leadership.”
Prior to joining IUPUI three years ago, he served as executive vice president of the Simon Youth Foundation. During his tenure, resource development grew more than 75 percent and SYF awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships on an annual basis. Under his leadership, SYF established or provided support for 25 schools in malls in 12 states serving 3,300 at-risk and economically challenged youth daily.
Markoff also worked in government and community relations for the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis and, before moving to Indianapolis in 1995, was president of the St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation in Toledo.
As a volunteer, Markoff has served as president of the Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, as well as on the board of directors of the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, Rotary Club of Indianapolis and Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In addition, Markoff was a member of Indiana University’s Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center Development Board. Currently, he serves on the IU School of Nursing Board of Advisors.
An Ohio native, Markoff earned degrees from Western Michigan University (B.A., Communications), the University of Missouri-Columbia (M.Ed., College Administration) and The University of Toledo (Ph.D., Higher Education).
About Damar Services, Inc.
Damar offers residential and community-based treatment, outpatient behavioral health, ABA Autism Services by Damar, Damar Freeway Academy, Damar Charter Academy, Damar Foster Care Services, and more. Total current population served nears 1,500 clients and families daily across Central Indiana and beyond. Damar’s main campus is located on Indianapolis’ southwest side. Its new ABA Autism Service clinic is in the Geist area. For more information, please visit www.damar.org.
Source: Damar Service, Inc.