Dr. R. Mark Dillon: How to inspire your donors’ best gifts

Join me as I sit down with my friend and colleague, Dr. R. Mark Dillon, Executive Vice President and Founder of Total Advancement Solutions, the division of Generis that focuses solely on serving Christian schools, universities, and nonprofits (the division I serve with, too).

 

In this episode, Mark and I discuss his book, Giving and Getting in the Kingdom, A Field Guide, which is considered to be a standard guide for fundraising in the Christian realm.

 

We discuss the four “types” of givers that he's seen in his 25+ years in our business, and which of the types are in our schools and how we can best reach them. At its core, fundraising is about *relationships*. Mark shares with us what he’s learned about people and wealth and what they really want. Mark and I also discuss specifics about how to best build relationships in a messy K12 context and what every Head of School should be doing to get your donors’ “best” gift.

 

At the end of the episode, I take some of Mark's concepts and break them down into application in our K12 school context, so stay tuned for the entire episode.

 

After leading successful fundraising teams for more than two decades and helping to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for Christ and His Kingdom, Mark has a calm confidence about him that I have always found reassuring. I always learn something from Mark when we meet – and I’m excited to introduce you to him and give you access to a bit of his wisdom.

 

I highly recommend his book if you’re responsible for fundraising in any way at a Christian school or organization. Whether you’re a development officer, a Head of School, or board member, you’ll find this book incredibly useful as a foundational understanding of “giving and getting” in the Kingdom.

 

Mark mentions both feasibility studies and coaching – two key aspects of our services at Total Advancement Solutions/Generis. If you’re a Christian school leader seeking information in either of these areas (or other aspects of development or communications), contact me at Kim.Jennings@Generis.com. 

 

Resources:

Giving and Getting in the Kingdom: A Field Guide by Dr. R. Mark Dillon https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Getting-Kingdom-Field-Guide/dp/0802405924

 

About Dr. R. Mark Dillon: www.generis.com/Mark-Dillon 

 

Learn more and sign up for Kim’s digital course, Onboarding New Parents with Purpose: A Proven Plan for Increasing Generosity at www.kimtjennings.com/cultureofgenerosity 

 

Follow Kim on Instagram and FB @yourk12fundraisingcoach 

and on LinkedIn at kimtjenningscfre

 

Kim Jennings is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and a member of the full-time consultant team at Total Advancement Solutions by Generis. 

 

For more information on Kim’s services as a coach and consultant to leaders and K12 Christian schools visit www.generis.com/Kim-Jennings and www.kimtjennings.com