ProFile: Kory Christianson
Fundraising is, by its nature, a selfless endeavor. The work is all about raising money to help others, and any good fundraiser knows the efforts are all about the donors and the missions. So when fundraisers acknowledge one of their own, it's no surprise for the honoree to credit others for his or her achievement.
Kory Christianson, executive director of development at St. Joseph's Indian School, has worked in the development office of the school for Lakota (Sioux) children in need and their families for more than 16 years. And he was shocked to hear he was chosen as the Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation's Max L. Hart Nonprofit Achievement Award recipient in January.
"I was surprised. I had no idea I was nominated," Christianson says. "To receive an award named for Max Hart and to receive an award previously given to so many excellent direct-marketing professionals was very humbling indeed. It really is a tremendous honor for our entire organization."
The award was established in 1990 as the Nonprofit Achievement Award and renamed in 2005 after DMA Hall of Fame honoree Max L. Hart of Disabled American Veterans. It recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual within the nonprofit community, though as Christianson points out, his success is the organization's success.
FundRaising Success spoke with Christianson about receiving the award and his work over the years as a fundraiser.
FundRaising Success: Did you envision the success you've had in your nonprofit career when you began?
Kory Christianson: What- ever one undertakes in life, I believe everyone wants to make a positive contribution. If our development efforts at St. Joseph's Indian School have extended to Native American children and their families an opportunity for a brighter future, then I am very pleased. However, we have much more to accomplish before we can declare ourselves "a success."
