February 2019 Member Spotlight: Kara Johnson

Name: Kara Johnson
Institution: Wichita State University
Position: Director of Donor Relations
ADRP member for one year

How long have you worked in donor relations/stewardship and how did you get involved in this profession?
I’ve worked in the donor relations field for almost five years. In 2014, I served as the director of special events for the Wichita State University Foundation and, together with our forward-thinking and supportive leadership, formed the donor relations team. Today, I am a very proud director of donor relations. For me, it has always been about relationships, gratitude, and letting others know they matter. I also have a strong desire for data, developing processes, engaging others, and evaluating/improving programs. My background is a mixture of higher education, non-profit work, and event and strategic planning. I have a passion for people (our donors)!

Could you tell us something about the organization you work for?
Wichita State University is committed to sustaining momentum in enrollment, research, fundraising, and addressing workforce needs to build the regional economy. The WSU Foundation supports the advancement of the university, according to the wishes of our donors. The organization functions off of our Core Values – Integrity, Teamwork, Relationships, and Service – with more than 45 staff working in direct fundraising, accounting and gift records, research, communications, donor relations, and support roles. We have 18 months left in our “Shock the World” Campaign, 2013-2020. Together we focus on advancing the People, Places, and Programs of Wichita State University, through philanthropy and stewardship. Last year was our biggest year ever, raising $66 million to further our mission!

What do you like most about being a member of ADRP?
I like knowing there are others who have been through what we are going through, or will someday experience. There are so many ways to accomplish the goals of donor relations work, and ADRP helps summarize and support each of them. I know when I first learned of the organization and, shortly thereafter, attended the conference in St. Louis this past October, I celebrated meeting like-minded professionals, who also “wear many hats” and speak the same language. It can be hard to showcase the “value” of donor relations, but with ADRP, there are people, places and tools designed to help us, and others, see the value and possibilities. ADRP is confirmation of donor relations professionals’ possibilities, outcomes, goals, and dreams.  

What is your greatest donor relations/stewardship achievement?
My greatest donor relations achievement is my own personal and professional development, impacted by my love and appreciation for donors and those who serve them. This has developed naturally and impacts each and every decision I make. You can’t answer, “What does the donor want?” or “What’s best for my donor?” if you don’t know the donor. I take pride in being able to think about each of our donors in a unique way, and create something special for them. I think about the fact that these people, for whatever reason, believe or want something good for the community, students, and faculty we serve. That’s admirable and worth celebrating. This particular achievement brings me joy and is a driving force in my daily life. 

What is the most important professional goal you are currently pursuing, i.e., attaining a degree, preparing to give a presentation, launching an initiative at work or in your community, etc.?
Since starting at the WSU Foundation in 2014, my interest and desire to learn more about the donor relations program, structure, and processes have formed. When I served in the role as director of special events, I naturally started to make connections with donors and, throughout this process, better understood their preferences and how to build on their experiences. In February 2017, I officially entered into the world of donor relations. These efforts opened my eyes to how I can utilize my relationships to create stronger connections with and for our donors and the organization. The team’s function, programs, and figuring out where to start is all finally coming together, and I am more excited now than ever. My most important professional goal is to continue building the program that will impact and inspire the entire organization, university, and our amazing donors, in the best possible ways.

How big a role does the use of social media play in your work?
My team focuses on special greetings (holiday, birthday, anniversary) through social media. We have created short videos and engaging visuals, in collaboration with our marketing team. As we continue to build our donor relations program, we plan to be more involved in thinking of ways to showcase and celebrate donors, gifts, and recipients. For now, I enjoy brainstorming with our marketing team to come up with concepts by asking, “Who does this message speak to?” and then allowing the answers to influence the focus.

Is there a resource, i.e., book, blog, website, etc., that you would recommend to other ADRP members?
I recommend reading Qbq! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life, by John G. Miller. This book isn’t related to a profession, it is a practical concept we can all use when planning, solving problems, creating methods, working with people, and more. I read this book many years ago and still consider it one of the best. As a newbie to the field, I utilize many of the resources recommended by fellow ADRP members (Donor Relations Guru, Association of Fundraising Professionals, nonprofit hub, etc.).

What is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?
“Opportunities never die, they just pass on to someone else.”

Are there any particular stories, insights, etc., from your experiences in donor relations and stewardship that you would like to share with our colleagues?
In life, you can have one great friend or twenty, as it’s not about the quantity but the quality. We consider others friends by the way they interact with us, care for us, take an interest in our lives and reach out when we are away. Our friends celebrate us and think of us on special occasions. Somehow, some way, I have molded my donor relations mentality to fit along these same main beliefs. I get to be someone our donors can trust andI am grateful to be able to build relationships with a number of our donors. It was eye-opening for me to realize, and changed my way of thinking, when I understood the value of engagement. I have amazing mentors, particularly my supervisor and our President and CEO, who have allowed, supported, and encouraged me to build my relationships. To be able to pick up the phone and call a donor to see how they are, ask them about their experience at an event, or if they need anything from us, is enlightening. You have to know what’s going on in front of the screen to be able to work your magic from behind the scenes.