MY STORY:

A LONG AND FULFILLING JOURNEY

IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION.

Whenever someone hears about my longtime career in fundraising and board education, they inevitably ask how I came to this line of work. My answer is that it just happened.

In my early twenties, I assumed that a career in college teaching was in my future, but a detour into the public relations office at Tabor College (Hillsboro, KS) changed everything. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

I’ve held administrative positions at three Christian colleges, directed a grant-funded project for the Coalition of Christian Colleges (now Council for Christian Colleges and Universities), and for a brief time, worked with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania as the Director of the Foundation for Independent Colleges of Pennsylvania.

A little over a decade ago, I established a solo consulting practice (BASINGER CONSULTING) with about half of my projects coming to me via In Trust, an organization that serves the boards of seminaries and theological schools in the United States and Canada. Occasionally, I’ve taken on a “day job,” including six years as the half-time director of congregational relations with the Brethren in Christ Church. For the most part however, I’ve kept busy with the work that is nearest and dearest to my heart – helping faith-based nonprofits and their boards to fulfill their missions with economic vitality.

It seems that I am forever preparing for a speaking engagement or staring down a deadline on a writing project.  In addition to articles on academic governance, institutional advancement, and Christian stewardship that carry my by-line, I am the co-author with Dr. Thomas Jeavons of the book, Growing Givers’ Hearts: Treating Fundraising as Ministry (Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000). I also authored chapters in A Handbook for Seminary Presidents (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004), Revolution in Generosity: Transforming Stewards to be Rich Toward God (Moody Publishers, 2008), and most recently, Becoming a Steward Leader: Fundamentally Change the Way You Thing, Lead, and Live (Christian Leadership Alliance, 2012).

My career may have just happened, but I’ve never regretted the road I’ve taken. I can’t imagine anything more exciting than the amazing and always interesting ministry God has given me. As I am quick to tell novice fundraisers, there is no better company than generous people.