My First Year: Reflections of a New Development Director

By David Pederson, Development Director
St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center
Minnesota State University - Mankato

In July of 2008, I began my new job as Development Director of the St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center at Minnesota State University – Mankato.  Fresh out of MSU-Mankato, with my shiny new B.S. in Business Management in hand, becoming a Development Director for a small Catholic campus ministry was a pretty new concept.

Yet at the end of our first year of development, the Catholic Newman Center increased our giving by over 2000%, enabling us to add programs, renovate our facility and quadruple our staff.  With the guidance and assistance of Petrus senior consultant, Mike Perkins, the tasks and activities associated with this new career came together, eventually made sense and allowed us to achieve this amazing level of success. 

I can say with certainty that my first year as a New Development Director was full of tremendous growth, learning, challenges and excitement. Without sharing every gory detail of this past year, I would like to share some of the highlights that remain vivid in my mind.

Beyond the need to maintain FULL belief and trust in God, the single most important lesson I have learned in this past year is no matter how many newsletters and appeal letters you send, or how many websites you build, you cannot succeed without one thing – personal face-to-face visits.  I have been told numerous times by Mike and others at the Petrus Leadership Conference that this is the most important thing I could be doing with my time. However it took a visit with a man who had recently made a contribution to our ministry for this to make sense.  This 92-year-old bachelor worked in many sectors, from public affairs, the Pentagon and politics to farming and raising thoroughbred horses. As we visited on his gravel driveway, I asked him, “Do you have any advice for me?”  He looked right in my eyes and said, “David, keep it as personal as possible. Do it face-to-face.”  This advice, which had been repeated to me time and time again, was made fresh and new hearing it from a benefactor.  It made me realize that my real title could be “Relationship Creator” since relationships are the basis of my ministry.  That’s what the ministry of development is all about.

I’ve learned that you cannot do anything by yourself.  Not only do you need to have faith that you will be provided with the opportunities and tools necessary to succeed; you need have trust in others and allow them to help you accomplish your goals.  Sure, you can attempt to do it on your own.  I’ve tried in many ways to do this, and each time I come to the same conclusion…There are occasions when I need help.  Much of the help that I receive in development is from my director, Fr. Tim Biren.  His vision for Catholic Campus Ministry at Mankato is my motivation and inspiration for calling on potential benefactors and asking for their help.  Also, I can always count on his praise and encouragement when things don’t always go as planned.

Learning to prioritize tasks and maintaining proper focus have been important in my ability to succeed this year.  As a “one-person-show,” I am responsible for the newsletters, direct mail appeals, stewardship, face-to-face visits; basically all aspects of development.  I found it very easy to get bogged down with items at my desk.  I might spend 10 hours a day working on some pretty important tasks, but I know that unless I get out of the office and into peoples’ homes, I will not be successful.  I try to include 3 hours each day in my calendar dedicated to either making visits or calling to set appointments, and set a goal of making 2-3 appointments every day, no matter how long it takes.  Each and every visit I go on, I enjoy.  I enjoy it more than any other aspect of development.  There are so many wonderful and generous people out there, go meet them!  Do not be discouraged by getting a few “no’s” here and there.  It is bound to happen. You just have to move forward.  With regard to all those other responsibilities, I learned that others can help and I let them.

On this final note, I have to say a few words about Petrus Development and particularly our consultant, Mike Perkins. Although this is a Petrus publication, I need to talk about what a godsend Petrus and Mike have been to me and this ministry. Their team continues to provide a wealth of information and guidance as we work toward a sustainable giving program.  They have helped us in so many ways.  I have yet to ask a question that been unanswered.  So, without going into specific examples of the invaluable assistance of Petrus, I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.

Beginning year two now, I look forward to the excitement ahead.  I know that with continued hard work, the help of others, nurturing personal relationships and a complete trust in God; success is inevitable for all of us!

David Pederson still considers himself a new development director who is fortunate to work on the campus where he obtained his Business degree.  When he is not meeting with benefactors or making phone calls, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, as well boating the local lakes and rivers. Development has become his passion and David cannot imagine doing anything else.