D.A. Blodgett - St. John's’ Post

Over the weekend, I was able to celebrate the work of the Indiana University Dance Marathon in 2023 ahead of Indiana’s clash against Penn State at Simon Skojdt Assembly Hall. While I have been transitioning out of my post as the Director of Corporate Relations over the past few months, I wanted to reflect on some of the lessons I learned from my tenure. 1. Relationships Matter - Establishing and nurturing robust connections is essential for effective leadership, especially when working collaboratively with a diverse set of individuals. In my role, this involved 22 other student leaders on the executive council, 7 chairpersons and 60+ committee members on my committee, and a portfolio of numerous businesses from across the nation. Fostering positive relationships with each of these groups is crucial, as it plays a vital role in achieving our common goal of contributing to lifesaving efforts for kids in need at Riley Hospital for Children. The utilization of authentic connections served as a pivotal factor in attaining shared objectives between stakeholders. 2. Be Decisive - Being decisive entails not only making informed and timely choices but also acting proactively based on data. Striking a balance between gathering sufficient information and avoiding prolonged decision-making processes is essential for progress. A decisive leader showcases confidence and clarity in their choices, fostering momentum and direction for the team. This approach not only instills a sense of purpose but also encourages proactive decision-making among team members. 3. Keep The Faith - Maintaining a positive and optimistic mindset, especially during challenging times, is crucial for leadership. Believing in the mission and vision of your organization can inspire others and help overcome obstacles. Acknowledging the highest of highs and the lowest of lows over the course of my tenure on the executive council added depth to this perspective. It was a year filled with both triumphs and tribulations. The journey, however, became meaningful through the unwavering support of my colleagues. Standing by each other during tough times and celebrating victories together forged a strong sense of camaraderie. While the frustrations of unproductive efforts were present, this collective perseverance made every endeavor worthwhile. In the end, the elation of celebrating the accomplishment of raising over $3 million for lifesaving healthcare with my best friends eclipsed everything, making the entire experience incredibly fulfilling. My time in IUDM was truly the best thing that has ever happened to me. It made me a better marketer, better leader, and most importantly, a better man. I will always look fondly at my time in the organization and I am incredibly grateful to FORVIS, Allied Solutions LLC, Solution Tree, Graduate Hotels, Mom Water, HospitalRecruiting, Papa Johns, and countless other partners for their generous support over the years. Go Hoosiers and FTK!

In 18 years of competing in the 'Hood Bowl' fantasy football league, I've learned that success isn't measured by personal achievements but by the impact we make. Transforming winnings into donations for causes and communities reinforces the true essence of leadership: service. Video in next Post! 🏈 #LeadershipThroughService #FantasyFootballWithAPurpose #ImpactOverAwards

Well done to you both

The final day of The WealthBuilders Business Development & Nonprofit Workshop is off to a great start. We've heard from The Lapp Brothers of @blessings.of.hope , Steve Locke and Jason Roeder from Locke Buildings, and Billy Epperhart. It's such a blessing to grow together this morning. As David Lapp said, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." #businessworkshop #wealthbuilders #nonprofitworkshop #runwithvision

Mentoring One study estimates that the human potential lost as a result of the educational achievement gap is the economic equivalent of a permanent national recession. By preparing young people for college and careers, mentoring helps develop the future workplace talent pipeline. (Mentoring: At the crossroads of education, business and community, 2015) #donate #workforceofthefuture #careerfocus

The Power of Philanthropy Summit was a wonderful way to start a Friday! I will be thinking about this discussion for a while, especially when it comes to Dr. Una Osili's research about American's perceptions of philanthropy and what that means for the nonprofit community. I also appreciated hearing from local community members of the nonprofit and philanthropic community. A few high-level highlights: 💡 Americans love the idea of nonprofits and philanthropy - and trust nonprofits more than government or business - but most don't know much about the sector. 💡 Next gen donors - and the recipients of the great wealth transfer - are thinking about philanthropy very differently than previous generations have. 💡 It is - and always will be - all about relationships, though what those relationships look like will continue to evolve with technology.

I'm a great admirer of the leadership of Neha Sampat as she has dramatically grown Contentstack with a 97% employee offer acceptance rate. I came across this quote from our joint event last year, emphasizing trust at the heart of building great companies and how charitable giving initiatives build trust. "Growth comes down to a foundation of trust and innovation. It all comes back to building an organization where people want to do their best work, they want to stick around, and they care about each other, which helps elevate everyone’s talent.". We explored this further in a free case study here. https://lnkd.in/eqnMCnc5

🌍The global offices of Kia Croom Fundraising & Philanthropy, Inc. A Black-woman-owned fundraising firm will be closed on Monday, February 19th. 📆While this date aligns with the federal holiday known as President's Day in the United States, our observance of this day is rooted in a different tradition of reflection, rest, and recharging. 📣At Kia Croom Fundraising & Philanthropy, Inc. A Black-woman-owned fundraising firm, our mission is grounded in the pursuit of social justice—a journey that is both physically and emotionally demanding. The work we do is vital, yet it requires a deep well of resilience and strength from each of us. Recognizing the importance of self-care in sustaining our efforts, we are taking this day as an opportunity to pause, reflect, and rejuvenate, so we can continue to drive our mission forward with renewed vigor. 📣Our decision to close on this day also stems from a conscious choice not to celebrate figures who have historically instituted systems and perpetuated harms against Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Instead, we dedicate ourselves to the ongoing work of liberation for these and all marginalized communities. ✊Our commitment is unwavering: We shall not be moved. #ISaidWhatISaid #SocialJustice #Nonprofit #Fundraising

"The support from the industry and industry people was so evident, so quickly." 🎙️: Jeff Longo & Patrick Stack – Co-Founders of Sports Biz Careers – on the impact that SBC has had on 2,500+ high school and college students in the first five years of operation. They talk about growing the nonprofit organically, and how they were able to pivot as they went. Revisit the full episode ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d5x2Zx_x #NavigatingSportsBusiness | #SportsBiz #SportsBusiness #SBC #Nonprofit

Calling all grassroots non-profit leaders and founders! Interested in taking your fundraising efforts to the next level? Take inspiration from Operation Battle Born - they turned autographed guitars into financial lifelines for wounded police officers. They've expertly combined passion, creativity, and resourcefulness, reminding us that fundraising can often be about showcasing your unique message as effectively as possible. Remember, your mission is potent. The challenge is often finding new, appealing ways to engage donors and fund the cause. How can you switch up your strategies? Can we turn obstacles into opportunities, just like OBB did for their community? As we aim to #GiveHopeDaily, let's ensure we tell our story in the most compelling and connective way possible! Drop your thoughts below. #NonProfitLeadership #FundraisingInnovation #CreativeMarketingSolutions