Kathy Billings
Retired

What were you doing when we founded ADRP? Where did you go from there? Where are you now?

In 2004 I was in my sixth year as the first Director of Donor Relations at Bowdoin College. I retired from Bowdoin in 2009, did some consulting and then devoted six years to caring for my parents at the end of their lives. In 2018, I published a short work of creative historical fiction called From a Distance. I am now in Scarborough, Maine, retired, in year three of a cancer journey – stable, enjoying beach walks with my dog and occasional visits from my two sons and grandchildren.

What lessons, words of advice/inspiration would you like to pass on to other donor relations professionals?

Have fun! It is a profession like no other – making people feel good, confident, proud. Keep it personal. Keep it professional. Do your homework so that you can provide the most rewarding experiences for your donors. Always have a plan, a reason for your actions. Be creative. Realize that you are often a “ghost” facilitator of lasting relationships but that is no reason to feel your work is any less important than that of those you support. Proofread!

What was the donor relations profession like when you first started?

A newborn baby. It was exciting to have the opportunity to create the programs from the ground up and establish donor relations as an important, viable component of the development office and mission. It was very rewarding to experience many successes and gain professional and institutional confidence and support.

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?

Wonderful. It's one of the professional accomplishments in my 20 years at Bowdoin that I am most proud of.

Describe your experience in a completely volunteer-driven association before ADRP had professional staff?

It worked just fine but there was room for improvement. There was such a commitment to “professionalizing” donor relations, an innate energy in those attracted to the field – everyone was eager to work, be involved. It was fun. The need for staff became apparent after the first couple of years, and I welcomed the growth of the organization.

What is your best memory of the early days of ADRP?

My fellow board members were my colleagues and partners but, more importantly, they were among my best friends.