As the major gift officer for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, BJ has spent the past three years working with alumni of the college and clients of the teaching hospital to help them fulfill their personal wishes to support the vet school through major and planned gifts. Prior to MSU, he was the Director of Development at the Lansing Symphony Orchestra where he increased fundraising income 100% over 4 years, on a very limited budget. Being a one person development staff he managed all fundraising programs. He is currently President of the Capital Area Chapter of AFP. Through this role, he has worked to share knowledge with budget challenged colleagues about how to increase their fundraising productivity with the funds they have. He earned his BA from Alma College in 1995 and will receive his MBA from MSU in November of 2008.
From positions in museum retail to property management to program administration and finally development director, Kim Loftus has raised more than $6 million in the past twenty-two years in various small non profits. Most recently at Constance Brown Hearing Centers Kim was responsible for the growth and management of the annual fundraising, major gifts, special events, and grant writing which generated nearly $200,000 annually to the agency’s revenue. In addition she managed the marketing and communication program which contributed to a 30% increase in program participation. Prior to Constance Brown, Kim led the development office at the Kalamazoo Nature Center where she was responsible for a successful $3.9 million capital/endowment campaign. Previously Kim has managed volunteer, public relations, special event, facility rental, membership and museum retail programs. Kim is a Board Member of AFP of West Michigan. She is immediate past president and chairs the Every Member Campaign.
Barbara has been the Communications Director at CARES in Kalamazoo since March 2007. She is currently developing a comprehensive fund development and communications program with a very small budget. Like most one person shops, Barbara has several roles: fund development, marketing, public relations and board development. Barbara has 11 years of nonprofit experience including grant writing, event planning, major donors, direct mail, capital campaigns, public relations and marketing. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - West Michigan Chapter and co-chair of the AFPWM 2008 National Philanthropy Day.
