Interview With Kenneth Grunke, Director of Individual and Major Giving, Pillars

FS: How would you describe your fundraising philosophy?
KG: “We’ve adopted more of a ‘donor-centered’ fundraising approach. From cultivation to solicitation to stewardship, we look at each donor as unique in his or her relationship with our organization. Although that may seem overwhelming and impossible to many, given the large number of donors that we reach out to each year, our strategies become as detailed as possible to appropriately recognize each donor for their contributions. Nobody wants to be — [or] should be — a number, and when you are talking about an increase in the number of charities vying for the same donors’ support, you can’t afford not to integrate this in your work plan, within reason of course.”