Experienced collegiate athletics fundraiser brings proven record of philanthropic growth, donor engagement and organizational leadership to the University of Florida.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | General
Jordie Kindervater, who brings more than a decade of experience in collegiate athletics development and major gifts fundraising, has been named Executive Director of Gator Boosters Inc. Florida Athletics Director Scott Stricklin announced Wednesday.
Kindervater joins Florida after serving as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and Executive Director of the Champion 'Cuse Campaign at Syracuse University, where he led athletics fundraising initiatives, managed a team of major gift officers and oversaw strategy for a $50 million campus-wide campaign. His career has been marked by record-setting fundraising results, growth in donor engagement and the development of philanthropic partnerships supporting student-athlete driven priorities.
Kindervater's selection for the position was recommended by a Gators Boosters Special Personnel Committee and accepted by Stricklin and President Bell. The committee consisted of Gator Booster Board President Karen Unger, Vice President Grier Pressly, Board Members Swati Patel, Doug Davidson, Vice President for Advancement Maria Martin former player Danny Wuerffel, Stricklin along with Deputy Athletic Directors Michael Ceilley and Amy Hass.
In his role at Florida, Kindervater will also collaborate with the department's revenue-generating units and leadership to streamline operations, improve efficiency and maximize revenue to help create a more seamless and consistent experience for external stakeholders—including donors, sponsors, corporate partners and vendors—who engage with Florida Athletics.
"Jordie brings an impressive combination of fundraising success, strategic leadership and a deep understanding of the role philanthropy plays in the success of collegiate athletics," said Stricklin. "His experience building donor relationships, leading high-performing teams and advancing ambitious fundraising initiatives will be an asset to Gator Boosters. The resources generated through these efforts are critical to enhancing the experience of our fans and student-athletes and ensuring we have the support necessary to compete for championships. We look forward to working with Jordie to build on the strong tradition of support for Florida Gators athletics and position our programs for continued success."
At Syracuse, Kindervater played a central role in advancing the university's athletics fundraising efforts. During fiscal year 2024, while serving as Interim Executive Director of the 'Cuse Athletics Fund, he helped lead the organization to a record $50 million in fundraising and an all-time high of 14,000 active athletics donors. The achievement followed a then-record $45 million raised in fiscal year 2023.
Kindervater has also been a highly successful major gifts fundraiser, personally securing $19.11 million in new commitments in fiscal year 2025 and $10.08 million in fiscal year 2026.
Before joining Syracuse, Kindervater held development leadership positions at the University of Mississippi and the University at Buffalo. At Ole Miss, he contributed to major fundraising initiatives, including the completion of university's $200 million Forward Together athletics capital campaign. At Buffalo, he built a major gift portfolio, led donor engagement initiatives and helped advance fundraising efforts supporting athletics facilities and other strategic priorities.
Kindervater began his collegiate athletics career in coaching and teaching, serving as an assistant men's tennis coach and adjunct instructor at the University at Buffalo and the University of Central Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science degree in Sport Administration from Canisius University.
He was a three-time team captain the Crimson Tide men's tennis team and was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee during all four years of his college career. He led Alabama to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007, and a top ten national ranking in 2008.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Gator Boosters and serve the University of Florida and the Gator community," said Kindervater. "The passion and generosity of Gator donors makes a significant difference in the lives of student-athletes and builds upon the championship pedigree of Florida athletics. I look forward to building strong relationships with our donors and partners, working alongside university and athletics leadership, and helping advance the future of Gator athletics."
Jordie and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters, Claire (10) and Kate (8).
Kindervater joins Florida after serving as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and Executive Director of the Champion 'Cuse Campaign at Syracuse University, where he led athletics fundraising initiatives, managed a team of major gift officers and oversaw strategy for a $50 million campus-wide campaign. His career has been marked by record-setting fundraising results, growth in donor engagement and the development of philanthropic partnerships supporting student-athlete driven priorities.
Kindervater's selection for the position was recommended by a Gators Boosters Special Personnel Committee and accepted by Stricklin and President Bell. The committee consisted of Gator Booster Board President Karen Unger, Vice President Grier Pressly, Board Members Swati Patel, Doug Davidson, Vice President for Advancement Maria Martin former player Danny Wuerffel, Stricklin along with Deputy Athletic Directors Michael Ceilley and Amy Hass.
In his role at Florida, Kindervater will also collaborate with the department's revenue-generating units and leadership to streamline operations, improve efficiency and maximize revenue to help create a more seamless and consistent experience for external stakeholders—including donors, sponsors, corporate partners and vendors—who engage with Florida Athletics.
"Jordie brings an impressive combination of fundraising success, strategic leadership and a deep understanding of the role philanthropy plays in the success of collegiate athletics," said Stricklin. "His experience building donor relationships, leading high-performing teams and advancing ambitious fundraising initiatives will be an asset to Gator Boosters. The resources generated through these efforts are critical to enhancing the experience of our fans and student-athletes and ensuring we have the support necessary to compete for championships. We look forward to working with Jordie to build on the strong tradition of support for Florida Gators athletics and position our programs for continued success."
At Syracuse, Kindervater played a central role in advancing the university's athletics fundraising efforts. During fiscal year 2024, while serving as Interim Executive Director of the 'Cuse Athletics Fund, he helped lead the organization to a record $50 million in fundraising and an all-time high of 14,000 active athletics donors. The achievement followed a then-record $45 million raised in fiscal year 2023.
Kindervater has also been a highly successful major gifts fundraiser, personally securing $19.11 million in new commitments in fiscal year 2025 and $10.08 million in fiscal year 2026.
Before joining Syracuse, Kindervater held development leadership positions at the University of Mississippi and the University at Buffalo. At Ole Miss, he contributed to major fundraising initiatives, including the completion of university's $200 million Forward Together athletics capital campaign. At Buffalo, he built a major gift portfolio, led donor engagement initiatives and helped advance fundraising efforts supporting athletics facilities and other strategic priorities.
Kindervater began his collegiate athletics career in coaching and teaching, serving as an assistant men's tennis coach and adjunct instructor at the University at Buffalo and the University of Central Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science degree in Sport Administration from Canisius University.
He was a three-time team captain the Crimson Tide men's tennis team and was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee during all four years of his college career. He led Alabama to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007, and a top ten national ranking in 2008.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Gator Boosters and serve the University of Florida and the Gator community," said Kindervater. "The passion and generosity of Gator donors makes a significant difference in the lives of student-athletes and builds upon the championship pedigree of Florida athletics. I look forward to building strong relationships with our donors and partners, working alongside university and athletics leadership, and helping advance the future of Gator athletics."
Jordie and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters, Claire (10) and Kate (8).
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