Rick Lofgren was named President and CEO of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in August 1998.  Since that time he has worked to build the charity into a highly respected national fundraising entity that is singularly focused on saving kids’ lives. 

During Lofgren’s tenure, COTA has increased patient campaign dollars raised from less than $750,000 to more than $5 million, and has increased the number of annual patient fundraising campaigns from 31 to 200.  In addition to providing hands-on fundraising assistance to numerous patients awaiting life-saving transplants, COTA has led hundreds of organ donor and bone marrow registration drives under Lofgren’s leadership.

Since 1986, COTA has assisted thousands of transplant-needy children and young adults, and has raised nearly $80 million for transplant-related expenses.  Since COTA’s inception, thousands of families have been served and nearly 2,000 COTA patients have been transplanted.

At Bloomington, Indiana-based COTA, Lofgren administers strategic operations and policy formulation for the $31 million health care-related and fundraising charity.  His specific duties include the creation and implementation of annual, major planned giving programs; staff management and development; and Board of Directors’ growth and development.  Between 1998 and 2014, COTA’s annual revenues increased from less than $1.5 million to more than $7.5 million. 

Lofgren has served on numerous church and community organizations’ committees and Board of Directors.  Lofgren and his wife, Lisa, have a daughter in college, and a married son and daughter-in-law.  Rick and Lisa are avid cyclists and gardeners.

Lofgren earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Spring Arbor University in 1988, and a masters of business administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a master of science in administration from Central Michigan University. He previously worked for Spring Arbor University, Memorial Medical Center (Springfield, Illinois) and Sparrow Hospital (Lansing, Michigan) in a variety of fundraising and marketing roles.

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