Paul N. Marsh, CFRE. GSB Fundraising Consultant

06/29/2026

36 oz of coffee to start the day…that’s not too much, is it? 😂

06/17/2026

A Calling Rooted in Faith, Stewardship, and Generosity - Make The Investment in ACF
A Message From Rhonda Clay, CFRE, ACF Board Member

Dear Fellow ACF Members,

As development professionals, we spend our days helping others build strong and sustainable missions. We understand better than most that meaningful ministry and professional formation do not happen by accident — they require faithful investment, shared commitment, and a community willing to sustain the work for the future.

Today, we invite you to make that same investment in the Association for Christian Fundraising Annual Fund: https://www.acfundraising.org/give

For many of us, ACF has been far more than a professional association. It has been a place of encouragement, mentorship, learning, prayer, friendship, and belonging. In a profession that can often feel isolating, ACF reminds us that fundraising is not simply a career — it is a calling rooted in faith, stewardship, and generosity.

Your support of the Annual Fund helps ensure that ACF can continue to:

• Provide high-quality educational opportunities and professional development
• Mentor and encourage both emerging and experienced fundraising professionals
• Expand scholarships and access to the Faith & Fundraising Conference
• Strengthen the Christian fundraising community across denominations and organizations
• Build the operational capacity needed to sustain and grow this ministry for future generations

Membership dues alone cannot fully support the vision and mission of ACF. The Annual Fund provides the resources necessary to strengthen the organization beyond basic operations and allows ACF to continue evolving to meet the needs of Christian fundraisers in a rapidly changing world.

As professionals who understand the power of philanthropy, we also understand the importance of supporting the institutions that have shaped and strengthened us. Your personal gift is both an investment in ACF’s future and a testimony to the value this community has brought to your own life and vocation.

We ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift to the ACF Annual Fund today at https://www.acfundraising.org/give. Whether large or small, every contribution helps preserve and expand this vital community of faith-filled professionals committed to advancing mission through generosity.

Thank you for the ways you serve God’s church and world through your work — and thank you for helping sustain the ministry and mission of ACF.

With gratitude,
Rhonda Clay, CFRE
ACF Board of Directors

06/17/2026

We are thrilled to announce two new cohort programs designed specifically for camp and outdoor ministry leaders.

CAMPFIRES AND CHEMISTRY: BUILDING THE BEST SUMMER STAFF EVER
Cohort launches September 15, 2026

Your summer staff are the heartbeat of your ministry, but too many camps approach staffing as a short-term problem to solve rather than a year-round relationship to build. This cohort, led by Dave Jarvis, will help you rethink recruiting, design training that actually sticks, stay connected to staff alumni, and build a staffing culture that serves your ministry for years to come.

👉 Learn more and register: centerforgenerosity.com/camp-staffing-cohort

SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE: WHERE MISSION MEETS OPERATIONS
Cohort launches September 14, 2027

When the operational foundation of your camp is shaky, it shows up everywhere: in the camper experience, in staff morale, in board relationships, and in your long-term sustainability. This cohort, also led by Dave Jarvis, will help you build stronger systems around facilities, food service, ACA accreditation, and board relations so your ministry can operate with greater clarity and confidence.

👉 Learn more and register: centerforgenerosity.com/camp-operations-cohort

At GSB, we believe that outdoor ministry leaders deserve more than good intentions. You deserve practical tools, experienced coaching, and a community of peers who understand the unique challenges you face. These cohorts were built with exactly that in mind, and we would love to help you find the right fit for where your ministry is right now.

06/06/2026

It was a privilege to join Bishop Craig Schweitzer and the Western North Dakota Synod - ELCA and share about the partnership between the synod and GSB Fundraising.

05/19/2026

Our May 50th Anniversary Gift Recipient is The Lift Garage in Minneapolis, MN.

The Lift Garage offers people a vehicle out of poverty by:
*Providing low-cost, quality car repair,
*Connecting with community partners to strengthen the support network; and
*Linking customers with needed resources.

The Lift also provides free inspections, by appointment only, focused on the car's safety and drivability.

The Lift’s mobile van does pre-inspections for broken-down vehicles within the Twin Cities metro area to ensure the ability to fix a vehicle when towed to The Lift. Finally, the Lift will provide free pre-purchase inspections and alert customers to any needed repairs so they can make the best possible purchase.

04/30/2026

NEW VIDEO RESOURCE on centerforgenerosity.com. https://www.centerforgenerosity.com/resource-library/0mrg2835gvx0c926itmnq8ibpj8pyj?fbclid=IwVERDUARfeqxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR4usv30mI2bIlNYZ_AA17HPj76WTI6im-VZWq8vntnoDbiVkJYIl5auSIhkCg_aem_PQ-lLOCXu7Ps9wtMzHZeKQ

Today it is harder to land new leadership volunteers than it is to land a major gift. In this roundtable we will provide the keys to recruiting the right people for your nonprofit’s board of directors.

04/29/2026

In this video, we will discuss proper training and orientation for new board members, including why it is so important and what to include.

04/29/2026

Volunteers can be a wonderful resource as you ask for gifts. In this video, we will discuss the importance of proper training and what to include in that training so that your volunteers have the best chance for success.

04/28/2026

Behind every number is a story of impact.
Campaigns exceeded. Communities strengthened. Missions moving forward.
When you have the right guidance, generosity grows.
If you’re ready to see what this could look like in your community, I can help.

04/16/2026

We wanted to make sure you knew about a new resource we are launching at GSB this spring. While it focuses on camps and outdoor ministries, Dave is also available to support other types of nonprofits and congregations.

On May 12, we are kicking off the Financial Management Cohort for Camp and Outdoor Ministry Leaders. This is a 12-month program designed specifically for people doing the work you do every day, led by GSB consultant Dave Jarvis, who spent 37 years as Executive Director of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp and grew their annual fund to more than $600,000.

Here is what the cohort covers:

Over four gatherings held online every three months, participants will work through reading and monitoring financial statements, budgeting techniques, office procedures and internal controls, and building a congregational ambassador program for camp marketing. Between each gathering, Dave meets individually with participants for two one-hour sessions so you can apply what you are learning directly to your ministry before the next cohort begins.

You will leave the program with:

The skills to read and monitor your camp's finances with confidence. Policies and procedures that protect your people and your organization. And a practical plan for strengthening your relationship with the congregations you serve.

The full 12-month investment is $1,295.

If this sounds like the right next step for you or someone on your team, Dave is ready to connect

Cohort launches May 12, 2026. Don’t wait another year to learn these critical needs for your organization.

https://www.centerforgenerosity.com/financial-management-cohort