Jaime Porter

Interim Vice President University Advancement Saint Xavier University

2004 – 2005 ADRP Founding Board Member

Background Info:

1. What were you doing when we founded ADRP? 
I was director of donor relations at Colby College. My next stop was Carnegie Mellon University. I just retired as the VP of advancement services at Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health. 

2. What lessons, words of advice/inspiration would you like to pass on to other donor relations professionals? 
Always remember it is all about the donor and how you make them feel.

ADRP Memory Lane:
1. Do you ever tell people about your early history with ADRP? If yes, what reaction do you get?
Yes. Most people in the field express gratitude as ADRP has become such a key part in their career.

2. What was the donor relations profession like when you first started?
One thing and the most important thing is the donor relations network. It was there informally when I started in the field and that remains the cornerstone of the field.

3. Establishing a professional association is an enormous volunteer contribution. How does it feel to have the creation and early leadership of ADRP as your legacy? 
After my kids, ADRP is right up there with the things I hold with great pride.

4. Describe your experience in a completely volunteer-driven association before ADRP had professional staff?
Donor relations folks are “do whatever needs to be done.” I was lucky in that all of my bosses supported my ADRP work.

5. What is your best memory of the early days of ADRP? 
Just the WONDERFUL group of people I got to know. They were and still are great friends. A favorite memory is taking part in the pajama/drinking parties at conferences.