Friendship Centers, a nonprofit that serves adults over the age of 50 in southwest Florida, recently appointed Ruth Frazier as its chief development officer.

With more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, Frazier will serve as the lead strategist for philanthropy through the development and execution of a comprehensive fund development plan, supported by strategic communications, to meet the needs of the organization. 

In her new role, Frazier will be responsible for fundraising events, planned giving, capital or endowment campaigns, special fundraising initiatives, development projects and the cultivation, management and stewardship of donors and volunteers.

Most recently, Frazier served as the chief development officer for Chimp Haven, The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary. During her time there, she led all fundraising activities for the national organization with a $5 million budget, and increased annual fund revenue by more than 50 percent. Frazier has held a number of other development roles in California. 

Prior to her work in the nonprofit arena, she worked in political campaign management and fundraising for a U.S. congressman and U.S. senator, along with a variety of other candidates.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Central Arkansas. Frazier is a certified fundraising executive (CFRE) and has received certificates in nonprofit management from Louisiana State University and fundraising management from Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.