Raising Resources With Purpose: What Being a Two-Time Top 10 Fundraising Athletics Director Taught Me About Leadership & Relationships
Few honors in my career have meant as much as being recognized twice as a Top 10 Fundraising Director of Athletics nationally. Awards are never the goal, but they do reflect something deeper — a commitment to building relationships, earning trust, and rallying people around a mission larger than themselves.
For me, fundraising has never been about dollars. It has always been about impact. Whether supporting scholarships, enhancing facilities, elevating the student-athlete experience, or strengthening university priorities, I approach fundraising with a simple philosophy: people invest in purpose — not pressure.
The Foundation: Trust Built Over Time
The day you ask for a gift is not the day the gift is made. Philanthropy is built from years of sincerity, consistency, and honesty. I’ve always believed that donors give to people they trust. So I make it a point to show up — not just when a campaign launches, but in the moments that matter: games, community events, personal milestones, and tough times.
My strongest donor relationships were formed long before any financial conversation took place.
A Donor-Centered Approach
Being named Top 10 in the country did not happen because I focused on numbers. It happened because I focused on people. I’ve always taken the time to understand a donor’s motivation:
What inspires them?
What legacy do they want to create?
What connection do they have to the institution or program?
Fundraising leadership requires understanding not just wealth, but values.
Uniting Coaches, Student-Athletes & Campus Leadership
Successful fundraising requires alignment across the entire institution. I work closely with coaches to articulate clear program visions, collaborate with campus leadership to ensure projects support university goals, and involve student-athletes so donors can see the impact of their generosity firsthand.
When donors witness the heart of a program — the discipline, character, and ambition of the students — they feel the connection deeply.
Strategic Planning & Long-Term Vision
Fundraising is not a series of one-off wins. It is an organized, intentional strategy built on momentum and trust. At every institution I’ve served, I’ve built multi-year fundraising plans that:
Identify high-impact priorities
Engage alumni and community partners
Strengthen messaging
Build sustainable pipelines
Create repeat donors
Recognition happened because results were consistent — not lucky.
What the Recognition Means
When I think about being a two-time Top 10 honoree, I don’t think about the award. I think about the students whose lives were changed, the facilities that were upgraded, the programs that grew, and the donors who became lifelong partners.
I am proud of the recognition, but even more proud of the lives and institutions those fundraising efforts strengthened.
