Industry News

RuffaloCody Acquires Noel-Levitz

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 08/25/14

RuffaloCody, a company that specializes in enrollment management and fundraising, has just expanded its expertise in the higher ed space acquiring competitor Noel-Levitz. The terms of the deal for these privately held companies were not disclosed.

This is the third acquisition made in 2014 by the Cedar Rapids, IA firm. In January the company announced the acquisition of ScaleFunder, which developed a fundraising platform for education. In May RuffaloCody bought Buffalo Fundraising Consultants, a UK firm that consults in the area of "regular giving."

The latest deal brings together two powerhouses in the higher ed consulting space. RuffaloCody claims almost a thousand clients among institutions and nonprofits for its services in strategic oversight, outreach and engagement services and software platforms. Noel-Levitz, with offices in Iowa and Colorado, has worked with 3,000 colleges and universities in the areas of enrollment planning, student marketing and recruitment, financial aid, student retention and market research.

"Success in this environment requires a new, more holistic and strategic approach," said Duane Jasper, RuffaloCody president and CEO. "In joining forces with Noel-Levitz, we are positioned to help institutions meet their goals for enrollment and fundraising — and thrive in ways they never before could."

Jasper will remain president and CEO. Kevin Crockett, formerly head of Noel-Levitz, will be president of a new combined enrollment division. John Baird, who was senior vice president of consulting at Noel-Levitz, will become the chief visionary officer. RuffaloCody's president of the Fundraising Management Division, Sarah Kleeberger, will stay in that role.

RuffaloCody expects to make future announcements regarding new solutions and offerings as the services from both firms are integrated.

"As excited as we are about the combined solutions we provide today, the real potential resides in what we create in the future," said Baird. "The talent, experience and know-how in the combined company provide a powerful platform for developing new and enhanced services that will transform the way institutions recruit, enroll and retain students and cultivate alumni loyalty and philanthropic support. We see a wealth of opportunity based upon our shared commitment and philosophy to help connect students with the right institutions where they can be successful and stay involved long after graduation."