Rachel Krest Appointed Executive Director of Planned Giving for University Advancement

Photo by University Relations

Rachel Krest

U of A alumna Rachel Krest has been named executive director in the Office of Planned Giving effective Feb. 1. 

In her new role, Krest will work with alumni and friends of the university on developing their charitable giving priorities through planned gifts, bequests, charitable gift annuities and other options in estate planning. Krest will report to Kellie Knight, assistant vice chancellor for foundation relations.

“I’m excited to join the Office of Planned Giving with its longstanding tradition of excellence and to help shape the next planned giving team to serve all areas of campus,” Krest said. “At the same time, it’s a great privilege to establish and build relationships with alumni and friends who have a desire to make a positive difference for the university and all who call the Hill home.”  

Most recently, Krest served as the senior development officer for University Libraries since 2017. She engaged with alumni, friends and parents across the country, raising private gift support and increasing awareness about University Libraries and the $60 million renewal of Mullins Library, the central research library of the university. Krest also connected people with the Special Collections division to help collect, preserve and provide access to unique and rare materials important to Arkansas and the region.

“Rachel brings 19 years of university experience to the position, with 17 of those in fundraising roles,” Knight said. “Her ability to forge meaningful relationships with external and internal stakeholders, combined with her creativity and forward-thinking leadership, will help reimagine the Office of Planned Giving to serve the University of Arkansas community.”

A member of University Advancement since 2005, Krest has served in the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations and as the senior director of development for the Office of Annual Giving. Under her leadership, the Office of Annual Giving established several giving clubs and hosted the university's inaugural giving day, All in for Arkansas. A year later, the event raised over $400,000 for campus initiatives.

“Rachel has been a wonderful partner in helping me get to know University Libraries donors and in cultivating new relationships,” said Jason J. Battles, dean of University Libraries. “Her efforts to establish the Dean's Advisory Council created a group of engaged friends, donors and advocates of our work. I will miss having her guide development operations, but am happy that her good work has been recognized by campus, and I am excited for her to have this new leadership opportunity.”

As executive director of Planned Giving, Krest anticipates providing various gift options for potential donors. “Planned giving is such a creative area of fundraising because it provides multiple ways for people who love the University of Arkansas to plan out their support in advance and do so in savvy ways that might provide them tax benefits or supply an income stream,” Krest stated. “It’s an avenue for donors of all levels of means to make a bigger impact than they might have ever imagined.”

Krest holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. She has a background in statewide non-profit work, is a longstanding member of the Women’s Giving Circle and is a part-time pastor for Central United Methodist Church of Lincoln and Morrow United Methodist Church. Krest will continue to lead development efforts for University Libraries through the fiscal year.

About University Advancement: University Advancement advances the mission of the University of Arkansas by raising private gift support from alumni, friends, parents, foundations, corporations, and other institutional supporters. Working in philanthropic partnership with academic leaders and volunteers, Advancement team members are determined to advance the people, work, and impact of the greater whole at the University of Arkansas.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.