Royal Oak Resident Takes Senior Nonprofit Position

Holy Cross Children’s Services of Michigan (HCCS) has named Russ W. Russell as its Senior Vice President of Mission Advancement. In this new position, he will be responsible for planning and managing all fundraising, marketing communications and government relations activities to generate the financial and community support needed for HCCS to fulfill its mission as one of the largest providers of services to vulnerable children in Michigan.

A 34-year veteran of nonprofit development, Russell joins HCCS from Forgotten Harvest, where he was Chief Development Officer from 2009. Under his development leadership, Forgotten Harvest grew to become the nation’s largest food rescue relief organization and a leader in the battle against hunger in Southeastern Michigan, growing from 12 million meals provided in 2009 to more than 47 million meals annually in 2012. To support this operational expansion, Russell’s development team grew the organization’s funding from $2.5 million in 2009 to more than $10 million in 2013. He has also served as Vice President of Development for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division and as co-founder of Cross International, headquartered in Southern Florida.

Founded in 1948 as Boysville of Michigan, HCCS meets the social, emotional, basic care and educational needs of vulnerable children; supports their families and makes the public aware of the needs of these children and families through a network of in-home, community based and residential program interventions and public education programs that are provided directly or in partnership with other community organizations. Its service portfolio includes residential campuses and group homes, schools, foster care homes, supervised independent living programs, day treatment and a variety of community-based services. HCCS operates facilities in Clinton, Detroit, Clinton Township, Redford, Saginaw, Mt. Morris, Traverse City, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

“Russ’s passion and creative efforts to assist the poor in more than 17 countries and his 10 years in Southeast Michigan bringing food and assistance to our most disadvantaged communities and individuals will be a great asset to our mission at HCCS,” said Brother Francis Boylan, Executive Director, HCCS of Michigan.

Russell received his BA in Business and Education at Mid America Nazarene University in 1982 and was Certified as a Fundraising Executive (CFRE) in 1989. Russell currently resides in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Source: Holy Cross Children’s Services