Debbie Bass has joined Jewish Family Services as Chief Development Officer.
Bass joins the human services agency as it is about to celebrate its 120th anniversary of helping people deal with life’s daily challenges.
Bass has been responsible for raising $68 million during her 30-year fundraising career. For eight years, Bass served as Vice President of Development of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, where she led the $25 million Call to Duty Centennial fundraising campaign and initiated the $50 million Second Century campaign.
For Bass, officially joining the JFS staff is a homecoming of sorts.
“It’s a strong calling for me to go back to my roots in human services and work for a Jewish organization," Bass said. “I've been involved with JFS since elementary school as a volunteer, received brief counseling services as a teen, and been a donor for 25-plus years. I'm quite honored and very excited. It's a true ‘Cinderella fit.’”
"We are so excited that Debbie has joined JFS," said Don Goldman, JFS Executive Director and CEO. “In addition to a wealth of fundraising and development experience, Debbie really grasps our mission, having been involved with JFS since elementary school. I know she will do an amazing job in sharing the work we do with the community.”
Bass comes to JFS with an extensive background in the fundraising world. She has held development positions with Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation and Shawnee Mission Medical Center Foundation. Bass received her bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University in personnel management. Later, Bass completed a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in personnel and non-profit Management at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. In addition, Bass is a certified fundraising executive.
Bass has been recognized as a leader in the fundraising world. In 2020, Bass was chosen to become a member of the Women’s Public Service Network, founded by the late Adele Hall, composed of influential Kansas City women devoted to making a positive difference.
In 2005, Ingram's Magazine named Bass as one of its “40 Under Forty” in Kansas City. Bass is a graduate of the 2004 Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership program. Bass has served on various boards and committees, including serving as president of Empower Missouri (formerly Missouri Association for Social Welfare) of the Kansas City Chapter and a past board member and fundraising chair of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).
Bass has served as a founding member and chair of Ingram’s “40 Under Forty” Steering Committee, and is on the advisory boards of Jackson County CASA, Mental Health America, and LI Consulting. Bass is a member of the board of directors of Congregation Beth Torah and chairs its fundraising committee.
Bass was a foster parent for two 17-year-old girls who are now 35 and 37. Today, Bass and her husband Neil are the parents of three daughters: Maggie, Tori and Olivia.