11/30/17

Boys and Girls Club Delaware

Executive Director of Major and Planned Gifts Interview
I met with the Executive Director of Major and Planned Gifts on the last day of my
internship, and had a very enlightening, and informative meeting. While conversing via email
she asked me if there was any specific questions or areas that I was interested in discussing, and I
sent her a couple of subjects that I wanted to know more about. With this information she was
prepared to assist me with gaining more knowledge of how development and fundraising is
carried out for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware. We started the interview with her handing
me a copy of the Consolidated Resource Development Financial Goals for 2018:
Consolidated
Contributions
Contributions 251,650
Private/Foundation Grants 465,166
Annual Fund for Kids 1,566.596
Total Contributions 2,273,412

Special Events
Special Events 68,310
Christmas Tree Income 30,000
Golf Outings 94,500
Bowlathon Income 14,500
Club Fundraising 60,200
Total Special Events 267,510

Government Grants and Fees

Federal Grant and Fees 561,307
State Grants and Fees 635,446
Local Grants and Fees 14,500
Grant Aid 545,163
Summer Nutrition Grant 384,306
CACFP Grant 1,007,734
Total Government Grants and Fees 3,141,456

Total Resource Development 5,682,378

We went over this document in categories and she explained how responsibilities are divided
amongst staff to facilitate each campaign.
Upon asking how fund development is decided upon for the Boys and Girls Club, she
made me aware that the area that is responsible for raising funds for the organization is called the
Resource Development Team. Which is made up of approximately 11 individuals total spread
throughout the three counties that make up Delaware. There are three administrative offices: one
located at the Clarence Fraim (Northern Office) center, the other at eh Claymont club, and the
third located in Dover, DE (Southern Office). The Claymont Administrative Office houses IT,
Accounting (finance), and Human Resources. There is not currently a Vice President of
Development, so the responsibilities are handled by the current C.E.O. There is a corporate
Board of Directors that are state wide, and then there are unit boards who are held responsible for
fundraising for a group of clubs in s specific area such as the Greater Wilmington area board
which covers the Clarence Fraim Center, H. Fletcher Brown, New Castle, and Claymont Boys
and Girls Clubs. They in conjunction with the individual clubs and the administrative office
handle the funding needs, and acquisition for the club units. There are usually 12 15 persons on
each unit board. The boards are decided upon by the board development committee, which
answered a question that I posed about how board composition is determined.
An event that I had an interest in was the fundraising event for George Krupanskis
retirement, and I was made aware that the event was very successful, and the idea to make this
event a fundraiser that benefitted children was Mr. Krupanskis decision. The event raised over
$201,000.00, $26, 900.00 was in ticket sales, and $184, 000.00 was in sponsorship and
contributions. There were organizations that appreciated what Mr. Krupanski had done during
his tenure with the Boys and Girls Club so much, that they were not able to make the event, but
made sizable contributions to the cause. I was interested in this outcome for a couple of reasons,
one being that Mr. Krupanski made it possible for me to fulfill my internship at the Boys and
Girls Club, and when I started the assignment they were in the early stages of the fundraising
process, so I was interested in how successful it was.
She talked to me about being passionate about helping children, and the drive that is
necessary to successfully fundraise. Much of fundraising has to do with relationship building,
and sustaining. She made explanations of different fundraising types such as between capital
campaigns, and special events, she is heavily involved (as are many on the development team)
with grant writing, and says that this is a major vein of income, so it is good to be versed in this
area. We talked about taking classes that teach grant writing, and how to locate funding
opportunities. She made me aware of professional organizations that would be good to affiliate
with such as the Association of Funding Professionals which has a local Brandywine chapter.
She advised that when it comes to being involved in facilitating an annual fund the three main
things you want to remember about your donors is renewals: someone who is up to contribute
again, lapses: someone who has not contributed in a while, and upgrades: someone that
contributes a certain amount and you want to persuade them to give more.
We discussed so much over the two hours that we met that I could not include everything
that was discussed, but I am appreciate the time that was allotted for me to gain a better
understanding of the development process for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware. I was not
able to fulfill this aspect of my learning plan at the club level, since fundraising is accomplished
at the next level up, so I am glad that I was afforded the opportunity to fulfill this aspect with the
Executive Director of Major and Planned Gifts. My only regret is that I was not able to become
involved in a fundraising effort while fulfilling my internship, but I have been invited to attend
the next unit board meeting for the Greater Wilmington area, and I look forward to participating.
Kevin L. Carter