ANNUAL REPORT

352Emails Sent

1979 Year Founded

keeping you connected

282 Jacksonville Conference Attendees

46% of Members Attending

3 Years Partnering With ELEA

61Executive Search

Job Postingssharing opportunities for your professional growth

116CFREs

showing an exceptional commitment to the

profession6

Years of CFRE Study Days

preparing you for the next level of success with

cutting edge instruction

8Webinars and

100sof Attendees

bringing you the latest in development

thought leadership

249 Annual Fund Gifts

$30,707 Given to Annual Fund

12.4% of Annual Fund Gifts Given to Chapters

23 Endowment Fund Gifts

$5,145 Given to Endowment Fund

35Chapter Events

keeping your networks alive all year

141Volunteers

THANK YOU!

60 Scholarships Awarded

624 Members

87 Retired Members

86 New Members2013-2014

Dear ALDE Members and Friends,

We are meeting at the peak, and what a view it is! The expanse and wonder of God’s creation startles our daily reality when we pause to look up, reach out and view what’s ahead!

What are your peak experiences? Your mountaintops? Your views? If you are like me, often we can only describe our most momentous times after knowing the valleys and shadows that precede. As we live through these changes and reach plateaus, we are keenly aware of the guides and mentors who lead us forward.

This describes ALDE as we have laid foundations over the last several years, revisiting core values, our mission, our vision and our Lutheran lens, which are fundamental to ALDE’s strategic goals. Specifically this last year, the Board, in conjunction with key leaders, members and new partnerships, have worked to

develop a new visual identity and refined our positioning statement while listening and observing the people within and not yet a part of ALDE. Now we are at a pinnacle of launching these tools that will communicate this vision to the international fundraising community. Achieving these goals will ensure that ALDE is the faith-based resource of choice for Christian fundraising and communication professionals.

So what is it that you and I need to do? We need to shout from the mountaintops that which we know so well and true — the inspiration of our foundation in the cross — which was also on a hilltop. Through ALDE we are able to bring a mountain of resources, life experiences, donor relationships and mentors to a new plateau. We have much to share while we still listen to those amidst us … and especially with those not yet a part of us. It has been a joy-filled privilege to serve as President of ALDE and I especially look forward to joining the voices of all as we Meet at the Peak and create choirs that will echo for many years to come.

Grace and Peace,Beth Nelson Chase, CFREExecutive Director, Bright Stars of Bethlehem

We’ve been chatting about ALDE’s name, about ALDE’s values, about the direction ALDE is taking. I have conveyed the essence of those discussions with staff, with Board and with other leaders. We’ve made some changes based on those ideas and suggestions. We’re making progress on rebranding. Indeed, the Annual Meeting on February 25, 2015, will encapsulate the past year of work as we launch ALDE’s new look!

The development of our new logo and positioning statement starts with our values, our mission, our vision and our Lutheran lens, all of which are foundational to ALDE’s strategic goals. These graphics and research findings will help you understand all that’s happening and what’s behind the structure of the restructuring.

1. Our identity as an international community of fundraising and communication professionals that is rooted in the Lutheran tradition of the Christian faith and dedicated to serving God’s people in the church and the world gives us a Distinctive Profile.

2. Our people are a faith-filled Learning Community.

3. Activities planned and accomplished make for a strong Educational Impact on a significant number of ALDE members.

4. Sustainable Resources provide the infrastructure to support learning and financial vitality.

Message From the Executive Director

Phyllis Castens Wiederhoeft

Letter From the President

Beth Nelson Chase, CFRE

Jason Gerdes, CFRE Director/Development, Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries - Ashland, Nebraska For President-Elect

Jason serves as Director/Development for Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM). Being a former camper and a counselor helps him share the impact that outdoor ministry has on young people. Jason joined the development staff in 2000 and has served as Director since 2005. Jason met his wife, Leslie, while they were both serving as counselors. Now their children are attending camp.

Prior to joining the staff at NLOM, Jason received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture sciences and natural resources from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. He has been a member of ALDE since he started in the profession and is also active in his congregation, American Lutheran Church, Ashland, Nebraska, and on a number of other boards and committees. He is a Founding Member of YALDE.

“I have benefited from my membership with ALDE in so many ways. It is my pleasure to give back by serving in whatever way possible.”

Craig Stirtz, CFRE President, Lutheran Planned Giving Services - Omaha, Nebraska For Treasurer

Craig has been President of Lutheran Planned Giving Services for seven years and an ALDE member for 24. He previously worked for Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, after time as a Mental Health Therapist. He has served ALDE through numerous positions, including conference leadership and chairing the Finance Committee.

Craig and his family are members of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Gretna, Nebraska, where he has given time in diverse roles from committees to choir.

“Having been a member for 24 years, I have seen the tremendous impact ALDE has in helping train, connect and inspire the seasoned veterans and those new to the field of development. Having served on the Finance Committee under the excellent leadership of Ward Pallotta and Inga Gerber, I look forward to the opportunity to serve through ALDE in the years to come.”

Deborah Hutterer Director of Congregational Relations and Volunteers, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest - Phoenix, Arizona For Member-At-Large

Deborah has served in various church-affiliated nonprofit positions, as a pastor and began her current role as Director of Congregational Relations and Volunteers at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest two years ago, when she also joined ALDE. She holds a B.A. from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, an M.Div. from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, and a certificate in principles and techniques of fundraising from the Indiana School of Philanthropy.

Deborah is Chair of the Hospitality Committee for the 2015 conference, and Cochair of the Committee for 2016 in Chicago. She belongs to Dessert Cross

Lutheran church in Tempe, Arizona, and volunteers in high level leadership positions at nonprofits around the nation.

“ALDE has a unique way of gathering professionals for education, community and fun — all grounded in the call to love God and serve our neighbor. As organizations change so will ALDE’s role and I would like to be a part of the conversations with a thoughtful and committed Board.”

Bethany Krepela Gift Planning Officer, Luther College - Decorah, Iowa, and Minneapolis, Minnesota For Member-At-Large

Bethany works for Luther College as a Gift Planning Officer. She has been in that position, and an ALDE member, for seven years. She has worked in other higher and secondary education positions since graduating from Luther and has an M.A. in education from Augsburg College.

Bethany has consistently volunteered in leadership roles with ALDE, including as Chair of the Communications Team. She is active in numerous professional organizations in the development field and beyond, including CASE and Minnesota Women in Marketing and Communications. Bethany attends Oak Hill Church, Bloomington, Minnesota, where she also offers her time.

“ALDE is an exceptional organization that invests in its members and their missions with a Christ-centered lens. I am eager to serve ALDE in this time of transition and anticipated growth, and to contribute my experience and ideas as it advances to the next level.”

Hans Springer, CFRE Associate Executive Director, LCMS Mission Advancement - St. Louis, Missouri For Member-At-Large

Hans has served the LCMS for many years, and as Associate Executive Director, LCMS Mission Advancement, for the past three. He previously worked in health sciences and higher education in New York. Hans has aided ALDE in too many positions to count as he is a Charter Member, and this will be his second Board term, if reelected. He possesses B.A. and M.P.S. degrees and has been a CFRE since 1983.

Hans attends — and has volunteered in leadership roles at — Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Sunset Hills, Missouri.

“I have been a member since ALDE started, have served on various committees and have been involved in strategic planning processes. I believe the organization serves a unique purpose in providing leadership to the Lutheran nonprofit community and would welcome the opportunity to continue that tradition.”

The Finance Committee and Board of Directors selected the firm of Wegner CPAs of Madison, Wisconsin, to conduct the audit and complete the tax return for ALDE. At the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the Board accepted the 2014 Audit Report at its November meeting. Net assets increased from $397,000 to $467,000, including $60,000 in unrealized gains on investments (rounded to the nearest thousand). Net assets include $222,000 in unrestricted funds, $22,000 in temporarily restricted funds and $223,000 in endowment funds. Thank you for the privilege of serving as Treasurer for the past two terms, Inga Gerber, Treasurer.

Up Close

with ALDE Board Candidates

Treasurer’s Report

Inga Gerber

Cindy AegerterMark AndersonMark ArmstrongHenry AschbrennerDave AssmusGwendolyn AxelsonEd BeanAllison BeebeAlice BensonTerry BiesboerPatricia BilowAnn BrandtLaura BrandtPaul BrinkmanTom Buck - in honor of Phyllis Castens WiederhoeftRebecca Bunke - in memory of Frank BeldenEllen BushmanMichael ButterfieldMatthew CesareKeith ChristensenSandra Cline - in honor of Pat AgoudemosDave CokerJohn CorkranDiane CovertKurt CraysA. Carolyn DaunerJonathon DizeLorraine DoroughRoger DowRonald DrewsJohnnie DriessnerEmily Dubay - in honor of Kristen EganRich Duncan - in honor of the 2014 Conference Planning CommitteeKristen EganGeorge EngdahlDonald EngelFred ErbesPaul ErbesCarol Erickson - in honor of Kristen EganGreg and Teresa FairowMichael FergusonRad FinchMichael Fischer - in honor of Phyllis Castens WiederhoeftMichael FlynnKathryn FranzenburgBrian FriedrichMichael FuchsDave FuerstMiLisa GaertnerNina GarretsonSue GebelInga Gerber

Jason GerdesRita GilbertsonPaul GolkePaul Grand Pre - in honor of Johnnie DriessnerSusan GreeleyDonald HallbergCynthia HalversonPaul HansonReva Hardina - in honor of Kristen Egan, Chicago Chapter PresidentHolly Harrison Fiala - in honor of Kristen EganSuzanne Haterius-FusaroKathy HaueisenDenny HaugenEric HawleyMarion Heinz - in honor of the ALDE StaffJoAnne HeltnerDennis HermanMark Hill - in honor of Phyllis Castens WiederhoeftEllen HinlickyStephen Hitchcock - in honor of Phyllis Castens WiederhoeftLen and Cathy HoffmannMark Hofman - in honor of Hans Springer and Richard EngdahlKelly HuetDeborah Hutterer - in honor of Pat AgoudemosChristina Jackson-SkeltonJeri JendeDaniel JenkinsDan Johnson - in memory of Richard M. Katt, Charter MemberDave JohnsonAmy JurgensPaula Ritchie KadelDavid and Kim Kahle - in memory of Annette Rougeou and in honor of YALDECharlie KierschJohn S. KilbrideRoald KindemMichael KlinefelterAl and Joan KoepkeJanelle KoepkeBethany KrepelaBetty KuhnLee Anne LackMark LadendorfLori LandBill Lapp - in memory of Jerry LappSumerlin Larsen-LesperanceDan Leeman - in memory of Dr. David Heino, founder of ALDE

Jean LeGrosMatthew Leighty - in honor of Dan JohnsonJoseph Lindell - in honor of Andrew Donald NelsonAnna LivingstonJane LottesJeanie LovellKeith LundSharon Magnuson - in honor of Phyllis Castens WiederhoeftCatherine MalotkyDouglas Mason - in honor of Beth Nelson ChaseJoshua MaukMark MauriceLinda MaxonKrystal McClintonLaura McDanielHeather McGinnessElizabeth McKinleyHarold MelserDennis MeyerDonald MeyerMark MinickMartha Jeanne MitkosEvan M. MoilanBill MorinAlice MowbrayGary NahrwoldAndrew NelsonJon and Megan Nelson - in memory of Debbie WeeBeth Nelson ChaseDale NettninMichael and Rachel NevergallShemagne O’Keefe Mullins - in honor of Sara Roemer, new President of WALDENancy OlsonStan OlsonBonnie O’Neill MeyerKurt OsborneCarl PaceDoug PageBecky PagelJ. Ward PallottaRobin Paris - in memory of Stephanie Paris and in honor of Pat AgoudemosJoan PearsonKaren PeaseJenny PetersonCheryl PhilipMark F. PielArnold PiersonRebekah PolingChristine Post-Duncan

Kaarin PraxelJames PressnellRuth and Lloyd ProbascoJohn PuotinenJim RaderJames RasmussenSheryl RayJerald RaylScott ReinhardDennis RemingtonSara RoemerJanne RossAden RouclouxRichard RouseChristine SafranekTR SandersfeldCheryl ScarinciJim SchadeLexi SchaferJonathan SchleicherBrenden ScottJohn SetzlerRobert ShafisMatt and Wendy SheffieldGregory ShepherdAnnette ShoemakerBrenda SolomonAnn Sponberg PetersonHans SpringerJane StolzenburgFran Troxler - in honor of Dave CokerJames UdenAmalia VagtsKristin VoughtClyde Walter - in honor of Kristen EganLarry WestfieldPhyllis WiederhoeftKristin WiersmaRachel WindLarry WingardKathy WisnefskiRobert WollenburgStephanie WollenburgThe Woodruff Family Fund of the Lutheran Community FoundationKatharine YarnellIvonne ZimmerChristine ZrinskyAnonymous (1)

Donors listed in turquoise are Sustaining Members — they give regular donations to the Annual and/or Endowment Funds.

ALDE Cutting Edge Endowment Fund

ALDE Annual Fund

Eleanor BauerDavid BensonPatricia BilowKeith ChristensenJonathon DizeRichard EngdahlLinda MaxonHeather McGinnessElizabeth McKinleyMark MinickMartha Mitkos - in memory of Roberta Lautenschlager

Evan M. MoilanBeth Nelson ChaseRuth and Lloyd ProbascoJohn PuotinenRichard SchmidtAnn Sponberg Peterson and Gregory PetersonHans SpringerThe Woodruff Family Fund of the Lutheran Community FoundationAlan Zacharias

ALDE Donors 2013-2014

showing just how much they care about making all the

pieces of ALDE fit together — THANK YOU!