New District 214 Foundation executive director named

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 has named Michael Happ as the new executive director of the District 214 Education Foundation.

Happ brings 21 years of nonprofit experience to the job, including eight years in full-time fundraising.

He replaces Erin Holmes, who went to neighboring Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 last summer to become director of communications.

The foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides annual scholarships, pays for Advanced Placement tests for students who cannot afford the fees, assists entrepreneurial students' businesses, and supports first-generation college students.

Happ's nonprofit experience includes work in education, the arts, conservation, social service and faith communities. He's worked in roles ranging from financial and administrative direction to staff training and campaign management, according to a news release.

He helped raise more than $11 million for the new Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, $9 million for Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Catholic Parish in Winnetka, and $4 million for Christ the King Parish in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood. He also trained the leadership team and crafted the launch strategy for a $300 million global campaign for Lions Clubs International, officials said.

"We are pleased to bring aboard a leader who combines Michael's fundraising expertise with the kind of coalition-building talent that will well serve the Foundation and, by extension, so many District 214 students," said Tom Munz, chair of the foundation board of trustees, and principal of Mount Prospect-based Munz Consulting.