The National Constitution Center has named Virginia Clark as Vice President for External Relations. She will serve as the Center’s chief development officer, providing strategic leadership for all aspects of fundraising and communications.
Before joining the National Constitution Center, Clark served as Assistant Secretary for Advancement of the Smithsonian Institution from 2002-2017 and as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Pennsylvania from 1993-2002. At the Smithsonian, she oversaw fundraising for 19 museums and nine research centers. She initiated the Smithsonian’s first institution-wide capital campaign, raising more than $1.5 billion 14 months ahead of schedule – the largest campaign ever by a cultural organization. In fiscal year 2016, the Smithsonian raised over $298 million, a record-setting annual total for the Institution.
“I’m thrilled and honored that Virginia Clark, one of the most admired and successful fundraising professionals in America, will join the National Constitution Center as our new Vice President for External Relations,” said Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center. “With interest in the Constitution surging across the country, we have seen an inspiring growth in support for the Constitution Center’s crucial mission of nonpartisan constitutional education. It’s so exciting that Ginny will join us and help us bring our balanced, trusted constitutional content to classrooms and citizens in Philadelphia and across America.”
Clark’s new position at the National Constitution Center represents a homecoming to Philadelphia. She previously served from 1993-2002 as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Pennsylvania. During her tenure, the University increased its private support annually and was awarded the CASE Award for Overall Achievement in 2002. Her other roles at Penn included Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and Associate Dean for External Affairs at the Wharton School. While in Philadelphia she also served on the boards of Haverford Trust, Morris Arboretum and WXPN.
“I am honored to be joining Jeff Rosen and the Center as it promotes Constitutional education and civil dialogue across America,” said Virginia Clark. “The Center’s work is inspiring and has never been more urgently needed. It is one of Philadelphia’s cultural treasures while serving as a leading national and international center for constitutional learning and debate.”
Clark currently serves on the board of directors for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and is a trustee of Salem International University. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Boston University.
About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia inspires citizenship as the only place where people across America and around the world can come together to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its Congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a center for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire, excite, and engage citizens about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
