Keeping the Lines Clear

The mission of the American Lung Association is as simple and straightforward as they come: to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. But as a health organization with a national office and 38 constituent and affiliate associations across the country, ALA’s fundraising is anything but simple. Here, Karen Wertheimer, vice president and chief development officer for ALA, talks about the organization’s fundraising
structure and the challenges it poses.

FundRaising Success: What is the role of the development department at the national office in relation to your affiliate associations?
Karen Wertheimer: Our job is to work with staff and volunteers across the country to hone their skills in fundraising and to bring up the nationwide fundraising level of achievement. … Our main focus is to create a culture of philanthropy.