"Everyone participates in the relational work of fundraising and it's the layperson  - board member, volunteer, or client - whose work shines brightest."

- Otto Reinisch

"The most important thing is that we are able to be one-to-one, you and I with each other at the moment."
- Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers)

I believe personal growth best takes place in the context of authentic human relationships.

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It challenges us to be fully present; face-to-face.

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  It requires mutual trust earned over time.

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    Its power is in the personal stories we share.

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This is the relational work that makes learning & growing together valuable...and meaningful.

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    It's also what makes us distinctly human.

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           - Otto Reinisch

My story about how (& why) it all started
...and important lessons I learned along the way

     By age 25 I already was a 'rock star' in the fundraising world. As the first Director of Development for The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, I sat atop an international fundraising success story and had more than $50,000,000 in gifts 'under my belt'.

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     This was pretty heady stuff for someone fresh out of college and without fundraising experience.

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     Everything changed for me, however, the day a silver-haired Rotarian stopped by my office during his tour of our headquarters.  Here’s what he told me…

Keep reading...
 

My Perspective: The Relational Work of Fundraising

Core Values

  • Philanthropy is the deepest expression of our divine humanity.

  • Every gift is part of someone’s story about the search for meaning.

  • We are storytelling creatures who find meaning in stories we share.

  • The relational work of fundraising

    • is a story-sharing ministry of helping donors find meaning in philanthropy, and

    • requires us to be fully present in authentic human relationship.