Fundraising Stars

Duerr's creative thinking toward new giving opportunities and her savvy approach to the changing desires of corporate sponsors are why we're recognizing her as a Fundraising Star.

Margaux Pagán
executive assistant to the VP of development
International Fellowship of Christians 
and Jews (Chicago)

Margaux Pagán apparently is the queen of lapsed-donor renewal!

"Margaux single-handedly has been working with our outbound telemarketing vendor. The most successful campaigns have been during the Jewish High Holiday season (September), and the results have been above what we expected," says Rachel Katzman, marketing associate for DRTV and telemarketing at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

As part of an aggressive outbound telemarketing campaign Margaux orchestrated in 2010, the organizations's September deep-lapsed (24-108 months) campaign generated $153,770 from 3,560 gifts/donations. According to Katzman, when compared to a 2009 January deep-lapsed strategy, results included a 205 percent increase in total revenue over the 2009 January deep-lapsed campaign ($50,275 generated in 2009); 433 percent increase in total gifts received over the 2009 January deep-lapsed campaign (667 gifts in 2009); and a 396 percent increase in number of responses (single gifts and pledges) over 2009 January deep-lapsed campaign (6,349 responses in 2010; 1,279 responses in 2009). Sometimes the numbers really do just speak for themselves.

Pat Roberts
vice president for development and alumni relations
Hiram (Ohio) College

There's not much we could add to this nomination by Jenifer Warren, major gifts officer at Hiram College: "I am new in the profession … but in less than a year's time, I have hit the ground running, and I feel that it is in great part due to the leadership of Pat Roberts. Pat exemplifies positive attitude and enthusiasm. He seems to have undying energy. He is always 'on' and full of creative ideas on how to reach the folks who can make a difference for Hiram College. He instills an atmosphere where all of us want to achieve, always makes us feel appreciated and gives us the necessary support when we reach out for it (and sometimes when we don't). He is always vigilant and constructively guides each one of us, allowing us to enhance our strengths and strengthen our weaknesses. He leads by example, always willing to step in and help when needed, never asking us to do something he would not do. He respects our family, personal and professional needs and allows us to grow as we are comfortable. I am proud and thrilled to be part of this team. The success of his leadership easily translates into dollars generated, even in hard times. His experience, class-act leadership and genuine commitment to our organization are what set him apart."