The J.F. Smith Group Story

Jerry F. Smith has always enjoyed building – starting with nothing and having nowhere to go but up. That’s how the J. F. Smith Group came into existence in 1991.

Jerry’s career began when he started the first track program at Livingston University (now University of West Alabama) in 1965. At the time, they had no track, equipment or team. Jerry spent seven years coaching and building the track program at Livingston, competing with the best teams in the South.

In 1971, Jerry moved to Auburn University in Auburn, AL, where he had similar success helping them rebuild their track and field teams to a championship level. When Jerry arrived back on the AU campus, Auburn had only one All-American in track. When he left in 1977, Auburn had 157 All-Americans.

Jerry moved to the AU Alumni and Development Office in January of 1977, and the university immediately began laying the ground work for Auburn’s first major capital campaign. The goal was $61.7 million, and AU raised $110 million with the help of three development officers.

These three stops in Jerry’s career illustrate his passion for being part of something that is growing and constantly improving. The J. F. Smith Group was founded in the same way. In 1991, Jerry was asked to speak to the board of trustees of a large Christian school in Birmingham, AL, to offer advice with regard to a possible capital campaign. At the end of the meeting, Jerry was asked if he would take the job.

The J. F. Smith Group has conducted feasibility studies and capital campaigns for clients across the country – from Edmond, Oklahoma, to Washington, D.C., and from Chicago, Illinois, to Orlando, Florida.  Our mission in fund-raising – to enable clients to fulfill their fund-raising dreams through a unique, educational, professionally directed partnership – has proven successful in now more than thirty years of business.