Elizabeth Crabtree

Elizabeth Crabtree leads a dynamic team of advancement professionals who are dedicated to fostering collaborative relationships across the Institute; developing and managing fundraising for campaigns, capital projects, and strategic initiatives; and supporting Institute leaders and volunteers in their valued roles as engaged partners in fundraising success. Crabtree serves as the Resource Development liaison to the offices of the Chancellor and the Chair of the Corporation and oversees the activities and engagement of the Corporation Development Committee.

Prior to joining MIT, Crabtree was the vice president for advancement administration and operations at Brandeis University, where she served as the division’s chief operating officer, overseeing all administrative, financial, and operational areas. Crabtree was responsible for securing significant investment capital for Institutional Advancement to support the planning of a new campaign and staffed the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees and the Campaign Planning Group.

Prior to her work at Brandeis, Crabtree spent 13 years on the advancement team at Brown University, ultimately serving as assistant vice president for strategy and resource development. In her role, she shaped and implemented advancement strategies, determined appropriate goals, and provided oversight of major university campaigns and fundraising initiatives. She helped manage the $1.6B Boldy Brown campaign and spearheaded the planning and feasibility phase of the $3B BrownTogether campaign.

Crabtree is the recipient of the Apra Visionary Award, the industry’s highest honor, and the NEDRA Ann Castle Award for Distinguished Service in Fundraising Research. Crabtree is a graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in composition and arranging, and she has also completed graduate coursework in the Philanthropic Studies program at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Reporting List: Office of Development Planning and Initiatives