OCTOBER 6 • 2022 | 13

W

hen Ida Benson attended college 
at Michigan State University in 
the 1980s, working in a nonprofit 
field was virtually unheard of. In fact, it wasn’t 
even available as an option for a major.
Now, nonprofit management is readily 
available as a major. Yet 40 years ago, college 
graduates chose to work on “special events” 
instead, which were today’s equivalent of 
fundraising for a nonprofit. They often took 
on different majors, which in Benson’s case 
was communication.
While today Benson is a leader in Metro 
Detroit’s nonprofit world, and recently took 
on a new role as Midwest regional director 
for American Friends of Bar-Ilan 
University, her eyes were originally 
set on working in the venture cap-
ital world.
Early in her career, she handled 
corporate communications for a 
biotech company. Yet, following a 
stock market crash in the 1990s, 
Benson saw how volatile the indus-
try had become.
“I decided I needed to look at a 
different field,
” the Oak Park resident recalls. 
After considering the fundraising vertical, 
where she could naturally apply her commu-
nication skills, she found an open position at 
a small organization. It eventually led her to 
work for the Detroit Medical Center.
“That gave me a lot of background and 
experience in doing everything from small 
special events to major giving,
” Benson 

says. “
As I moved through my career, I real-
ly focused on leadership giving, or giving 
$10,000 or more.
”

DOLLARS AT WORK
For the first time, Benson truly saw “dollars 
at work,
” or the impact that major giving can 
have. It was a rewarding feeling, one missing 
during her career in venture capital.
Instead, Benson began connecting with 
donors to identify where they could get 
involved with programs or missions that met 
their interests. She developed a passion for 
long-distance running and spent her Saturday 
mornings on the phone with donors during 
her runs (it’s a hobby she continues 
today and one that gives her inspira-
tion for new ideas).
Eventually, she took on a role as 
regional director of individual giving 
for the National Epilepsy Foundation, 
which hit close to home for Benson. 
Her father had epilepsy, as did 
siblings, nieces and nephews. She 
was essential to raising funding for 
epilepsy research in that role.
Benson also worked at Covenant House 
Michigan as director of development and 
communications, helping youth experienc-
ing homelessness find shelter and hope.
While both roles were highly reward-
ing, Benson had a career move on the 
horizon that she says truly “brought her 
home.
” With her daughter and son-in-law, 
Madeleine and Abraham Truitt, graduating 

from Bar-Ilan University, Benson fell in love 
with the university’s mission.

CONTINUING A LEGACY
As one of the largest public universities in 
Israel, Bar-Ilan’s founding partners, Phillip and 
Max Stollman, were major philanthropists in 
the Metro Detroit area. Not only did Benson 
have a personal connection as the mother of 
a Bar-Ilan alumni; she had a local connection 
as well.
American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, 
which fundraises toward the university’s 
mission with U.S.-based donors, was started 
in Detroit. Therefore, it was a perfect oppor-
tunity for Benson to get involved and lend a 
hand to fundraising throughout the greater 
Midwest region.
“I’m excited to take that legacy and to rein-
vigorate the support of the university,
” Benson 
says.
Bar-Ilan University’s mission appealed to 
her “in a number of ways,
” she explains. As 
a world-renowned institution, the university 
provides critical research for nanotechnol-
ogy, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer treatment, 
COVID-19 and more.
Its Rackmen Center also runs programs for 
Israeli women in abusive relationships.
“It’s a great university that appealed to me,
” 
Benson says.
Still, COVID-19 and a change in staffing 
created a gap that Benson’s role will need to 
fill. Throughout the pandemic, there was no 
one in Detroit, Chicago or Cleveland to liaise 
with Bar-Ilan University donors. Now, Benson 
plans to step in and change that.
It’s a challenge, but one that Benson is look-
ing forward to taking on.
“Bar-Ilan really connects my Jewish 
values and my family’s Jewish values with 
the organization,” she explains. “I got Rosh 
Hashanah off. Everyone says Shabbat 
Shalom on Fridays. It just feels so right, it 
just feels so welcoming.” 

OUR COMMUNITY

Meet Ida Benson, American Friends of Bar-Ilan 
University’s new Midwest regional director.

Putting 
Dollars to Work

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ida Benson

Campus Tower 
at Bar-Ilan 
University

The Brain Research Garden by 
Orly Gotiv at Bar-Ilan University

