623 Members700 Members

The Numbers That Shape ALDE

Annual Report 2016-2017

2015-2016 Figures in Italics

47.9% Email Open Rate18.9% Industry Average

9.5% Click Through Rate7.9% Industry Average

41 Executive Search Job Postings56 Job Postings

$546,644 in Net Assets

238 IGNITE: Norfolk 2017 Attendees387 at Chicago 2016

38.2% of Members Attending54% Attending

4.08/5 Conference Rating3.74/5 Conference Rating

4.25/5 Educational Value4.26/5 Educational Value

$43,859 Given to Annual Fund$35,358 Given

203 Donors166 Donors

98 New Members133 New Members

31 enLIGHTen Essentials Attendees

83 CFREs

129 Volunteers

Dear ALDE Members and Friends,I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 23 years old and

attending my first ALDE conference. I had been on staff at my organization for only nine months and a member of ALDE for two months. I attended the conference with my boss, who had told me I was going to be an ALDE member the first week I was on staff. Not knowing another person and not sure what to expect, I stayed close to him as he graciously introduced me to what seemed like every single person. I was amazed at how many people he knew from all across the country, how kind they were, and the genuine interest they seemed to have in me. I was even more shocked to start attending the educational sessions only to learn that some of the people who I met were the same people who were talking about

raising millions of dollars for organizations all across the Church and that they were experts in our profession.

Ironically, my first conference was held in Minneapolis. Now I’m back here again, but as the President of ALDE, having learned so much from so many of you. It is such an incredible honor to give back to an organization that has given so much to me.

ALDE is far more than just top notch education for Christian development professionals. It is a community that is invested in each other for the good of the ministries and organizations we serve for the benefit of the Church and world. I hope that ALDE is as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me. Thank you for all the ways you serve and give to make ALDE such an incredible organization!

Jason Gerdes, CFREALDE PresidentDirector/Development, Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries

A year of change and challenges — that’s what comes to mind when I reflect on our past year as ALDE, and for me.

Change came in a big way when my husband retired! I work from home…. now what?!?! We’ve adjusted by moving my office space out of his way. We’re still challenged as we figure out how to spend time together and apart, keeping my work and his projects from intermingling too much.

Change came for IGNITE. Fewer people gathered in Norfolk, Virginia, yet the educational value was ranked just as high as IGNITE: Chicago 2016. The financial impact presents the challenge as you can note in the Treasurer’s Report. Review of that impact led the Board of Directors to decide to locate IGNITE in central parts of the United States two out of every three years.

Change came in other educational programming. The challenge of developing enLIGHTen Essentials and Executive Fundraising Essentials was met with the help of marvelously talented members of the Task Forces. They developed a solid curriculum and continue to tweak the scheduling and presentations as the core group of presenters and mentors move through this year’s events.

Change always comes about within the membership and the leadership of ALDE. Losing members due to budget cuts, retirement, or career moves presents the challenge of sustaining excellent services on an even tighter budget. The challenge in saying goodbye to fine people who served ALDE so well, particularly Board Members, diminishes when we celebrate that most of those leaders move into other positions of leadership. Other highly skilled members step forward, continuing the robust competency of ALDE servant leadership.

Change and challenges are a way of life — personally and professionally. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by you all as I continue this walk of faith with you. Emmanuel, “God with us” —- we are not alone when encountering change and challenges. Thanks be to God!

Message From the Executive Director

Phyllis Castens Wiederhoeft, Ph.D.

Letter From the President

Jason Gerdes, CFRE

Inspire, educate and mentor the Christian fundraising community to spark generosity for mission.

Alice Mowbray Director of Congregational Operations & DevelopmentBethel Lutheran Church - Madison, WisconsinFor Secretary

Alice has been with Bethel Lutheran Church for 18 years. For over a decade she worked in sales and finance for Ohmeda (now GE Medical).

An 18 year ALDE member, Alice served as Treasurer for the Wisconsin Chapter for four years. She is also a member of the Wisconsin Planned Giving Council and Downtown Madison Incorporated, and was an AFP member for more than 10 years. She holds an associate’s degree in industrial accounting.

Alice attends Bethel (ELCA), where she was Treasurer and President of the Church Council.

“ALDE has been a great resource for me, in terms of education and networking, since beginning work in development at Bethel. Its organization and helpful readiness is something that I’d be honored to add into, in order to continue our shared good work.”

Candidates For Member-At-LargeEllen Bushman, CFRE Vice President of DevelopmentLutheran Family Services of Virginia - Newport News, Virginia

Ellen has served Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, and been an ALDE member, for eight years. She previously held development roles with Hospital Hospitality House of Richmond, Hospice Support Care of Williamsburg, and Williamsburg AIDS Network. Ellen holds B.S.W. and M.S.W. degrees.

She was Chair of IGNITE: Norfolk 2017 and is on the IGNITE: Minneapolis 2018 Planning Committee. She is also a member of AFP.

Ellen belongs to St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia (ELCA), and has served the church at the congregational and synodical levels in more than 10 different roles.

“ALDE has been a wonderful resource for my professional development. This organization has provided a unique opportunity to combine faith and work in deeply meaningful ways. I would love to serve on the ALDE Board as a way to give something back and to help shape the future of ALDE.”

Roger Dow Major Gift Officer Concordia Seminary, St. Louis - Fairfield, Connecticut

Roger serves as Major Gift Officer for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, a position he has held for five years. He previously worked

for The Lutheran Care Network, The Wartburg Adult Care Community, and The LCMS Foundation, assigned to Concordia College–New York. Roger holds a B.S. in business administration from Plymouth State University.

He has served ALDE in nearly 10 different volunteer roles over his 17-year membership, both at the international and chapter levels. This includes membership in, and leadership of, various teams; service on Conference Planning Committees; and being President of the Big East Chapter.

Roger attends Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut (LCMS), where he has held positions from Congregational President to Youth Group Leader and Sunday School Instructor.

“My membership in ALDE has blessed me in significant ways both personally and professionally. I would be honored to serve a second term on the ALDE Board of Directors to assist in planning for the future and continued growth of this wonderful organization.”

David Friesen Gift Coordinator - Central DistrictLutheran Foundation Canada - Winnipeg, Manitoba

David has worked for Lutheran Foundation Canada for five years. Prior to that, he worked in sales and business development for technology and investment education companies. David holds a diploma in computer technology and a certificate in business administration.

He has been an ALDE member for five years and is a former member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners.

David’s congregation is Saint James Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Lutheran Church Canada). He has served churches as a Youth Leader, Director of VBS, and Treasurer.

“I am passionate about charitable giving to supporting the work of the church. ALDE does an exceptional job of teaching, training, and supporting those that work in the faith-based field of fundraising and legacy giving. I would hope that my involvement might enable ALDE to better reach organizations outside of the U.S.”

Fiscal Year 2016-2017 ended June 30, 2017. Net assets increased over the past year from $515,071 to $546,644 due primarily to $36,815 in investment growth and earnings in the Endowment. Annual Fund giving was also up in 2016-2017. The 2017 IGNITE conference experienced a deficit due to lower numbers in attendance, so overall, undesignated assets decreased by $11,573. The Board accepted the 2016-2017 Audit Report at its November meeting as presented by Wegner CPAs, LLP, and reviewed the IRS Form 990 and approved it for submission.

Up Close

With ALDE Board Candidates

Treasurer’s Report

Craig Stirtz, CFRE

Inspire, educate and mentor the Christian fundraising community to spark generosity for mission.

Cindy Aegerter Patricia Agoudemos Mark A. Anderson Henry Aschbrenner David Assmus Kaarin Austin Gwen Axelson Eleanor Bauer David Benson Nathan Berkas Lewis Berkwit Edward Bertram Jim Bickel Terry Biesboer Amy Bigot Patricia Bilow Martin Bimler Kris Blackwell Molly Blancke - in honor of Jane LottesJay Boeding David Bragg - in honor of Dave Coker being cancer freeLaura Brandt Gabe Brannan Paul Brinkman Alan Budahl William Burmeister Ellen Bushman Michael Butterfield Jeff and Robin CherwinkaKeith Christensen and Dawn Deines-Christensen David Coker Katherine Conrad - in memory of Dr. Robert GronlundJohn Corkran Renee Coughlin Diane Covert John Dellis Kyle DeWees dixon & dixon consultingJon Dize - in honor of Mark Muehl and John SchoedelLenora Doerfler Lorraine Dorough Roger Dow Ellen Draeger Cattadoris Ronald Drews Johnnie Driessner Rich Duncan and Christine Post-Duncan Andi Dunmyre Mary Duvall Ryan Ebner Terry Egan George Engdahl

Don Engel Fred Erbes Paul Erbes Margie Fiedler - in honor of Rev. Don HallbergRichard Finch Michael Fischer Michael Flynn Kathryn Franzenburg Brian and Laurie FriedrichJeff Frosch Brian Gavin Sue Gebel - in honor of Marion HeinzJason Gerdes Les Godard Andrew Gove - in honor of Stephanie WollenburgJennifer and Walter Grandberry - in honor of Jim and Phyllis Wiederhoeft and Christine ZrinskyAmy Graves Susan Greeley Tyler and Carrie Gubsch - in honor of Brenda SolomonJosh Guyer Donald Hallberg Christina Hamilton Patricia Haniszewski Luke Hanson Paul Hanson Dennis Haugen John Havrilla Marcy Heim - in honor of Phyllis WiederhoeftJoAnne Heltner Adam Hengeveld Dennis Herman Mark L. Hill Stephen Hitchcock Len and Cathy Hoffmann Mark Hofman - in honor of Charlie KierschRichard Holz Christina Jackson-Skelton Daniel Jenkins Michael Johnson David and Kim Kahle - in honor of Fred BleekeCharlie Kiersch Paula Kitt Jesse Klosterboer Al and Joan Koepke - in honor of the Great Rivers ChapterBethany Krepela Robert Kuehner Betty Kuhn

Mark F. Ladendorf Lori Land Peggy Jo Larson James Leistikow John Lewis Jane and John Lottes Jeanie Lovell Dionne S. Lovstad-Jones Keith Lund Sharon Magnuson Paul Marsh - in memory of Dan Springer Ruth Martin Linda Maxon Scott McAnally Laura McDaniel Heather McGinness Elizabeth McKinley Jane Pope Meehan Amy and Harold Melser Eugene Meyer Dennis Meyer Don Meyer Bonnie Meyer Dawn M.S. Miller Paige Mills-Haag Martha Mitkos Ray Mohrmann Evan Moilan Brenda J. Moore David and Rhonda Mossner Alice Mowbray Rahel Mwitula Williams June M. Nabers - in honor of Ellen F. BushmanJon and Megan Nelson Teresa Nelson Beth Nelson Chase Michael and Rachel NevergallDonna Nicholson David Novak Mark Olsen Stan Olson Katya Ouchakof Douglas Page - in honor of Dave Coker J Ward Pallotta Rebecca Palmgren Robin Paris Joan Pearson Karen Pease Cheryl Philip Arnold Pierson Robert Polansky Wanda Pritzel John and Janet PuotinenLindsey Queener

Jeff Quinto Jessica Raba Nikki Rach Teri Rice Heidi S. Rixman Sara Roemer Richard Rouse Christine Safranek Jonathan Schleicher Richard Schmidt Ralph Schmidt Cynthia Schmidt - in honor of Christine Zrinsky becoming President-ElectAmy Scholz Heather Schubert Matthew Schultz Seafarers International HouseJohn L. Setzler Matt Sheffield Annette C. Shoemaker Brenda Solomon Lori Solyom Marta Spangler Ann Sponberg Peterson - in honor of Jon NelsonHans G. Springer Barbara Stechert Andrew Steele Katherine Steffen Craig Stirtz Suelyn and Douglas SwiggumJennifer Thomas James Uden Susan Ullsvik James Unglaube Mark Van Scharrel Clyde Walter Mike Ward Danielle Ward Art Weiss Dayna Weltzin - in honor of her father, GaryLarry Westfield Phyllis Castens Wiederhoeft Kristin Wiersma Elliott Williams Robert Wollenburg Stephanie Wollenburg - in honor of Robert WollenburgKatharine Yarnell Larissa Yates Kelley Young Angela Zimmann Christine Zrinsky Anonymous

ALDE Annual Fund

ALDE Cutting Edge Endowment Fund

Fred and Candy Bleeke Jon Dize - in honor of Mark Muehl and John SchoedelRichard EngdahlMichael FischerMark Hofman - in honor of Charlie KierschDionne S. Lovstad-JonesPhil Woodruff - Lutheran World Missions

Elizabeth McKinley Beth Nelson Chase and John Chase Craig Stirtz

Donors listed in red are Sustainers — making regular donations to the Annual and/or Endowment Funds.

ALDE Donors 2016-2017

showing inspiring generosity to SPARK our shared mission

— THANK YOU!