Kimberly Kephart
Culver,IN
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in donor relations and team leadership. Known for implementing effective stewardship strategies and fostering strong relationships, contributing to increased donor retention and community engagement.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Stewardship Coordinator
Culver Academies
08.2007 - Current
- Developed and implemented stewardship strategies to enhance donor engagement and retention.
- Coordinated fundraising events, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and maximizing community participation.
- Developed and implemented scholarship attachment process to match financial aid with available scholarship funds.
- Managed donor communications, tailoring messages to foster relationships and drive support for initiatives.
- Tracked and analyzed donor data, utilizing CRM systems to improve outreach effectiveness and reporting accuracy.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices in donor relations, enhancing team performance and knowledge sharing.
- Streamlined reporting processes, increasing efficiency in financial tracking and transparency for donors.
- Maintained accurate records of all donation transactions using CRM software tools ensuring efficient data management practices were implemented.
- Implemented effective donor recognition strategies that acknowledged contributions in meaningful ways while adhering to privacy guidelines.
- Provided exceptional customer service to donors, addressing inquiries promptly and ensuring satisfaction with their giving experience.
- Organized successful donor appreciation events, fostering a sense of community among supporters and promoting long-term engagement.
- Supported event planning teams during fundraisers by assisting with set up managing registration tables greeting attendees ensuring smooth execution.
Bar & Grill Owner
Journey's End Bar & Grill
11.2021 - 08.2025
- Developed and implemented operational strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and retention.
- Managed daily operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Trained and supervised staff, fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
- Cultivated relationships with local suppliers to optimize cost-effectiveness of menu offerings.
- Conducted market analysis to adapt promotional strategies, increasing foot traffic and sales revenue.
- Organized community events to strengthen brand presence and engage local customers.
- Leveraged customer feedback to refine service delivery, enhancing overall dining experience.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring all tasks were completed accurately and efficiently by team members.
- Increased customer satisfaction by implementing efficient business processes and providing exceptional service.
- Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
- Hired trained, and managed a high-performing team of employees dedicated to achieving company goals.
- Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
- Successfully navigated challenging economic conditions by making informed decisions that protected the business''s financial stability.
- Expanded product offerings by researching market trends and identifying potential growth opportunities.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
Used Bookstore Owner
The Readers Attic
01.2000 - 06.2006
- Managed inventory control systems to ensure optimal stock levels and minimize waste.
- Coordinated marketing initiatives to increase brand awareness and drive foot traffic to store.
- Oversaw financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking for profitability.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans for revenue growth, focusing on diversification and market expansion.
Children's Ministry Director
Family Christian Center
10.1992 - 06.2006
- Developed engaging curriculum for children's programs to support spiritual growth and education.
- Coordinated volunteer recruitment, training, and scheduling to enhance program effectiveness.
- Implemented safety protocols ensuring a secure environment for children during activities.
- Fostered strong relationships with families to encourage community involvement in ministry events.
- Created promotional materials to increase awareness of children's ministry activities within the community.
- Mentored new leaders, providing guidance on best practices in children's ministry operations.
- Conducted regular evaluations on staff and volunteer performance, providing constructive feedback for improvement when necessary.
- Provided pastoral care to children facing challenging life circumstances by offering guidance, prayer support, and practical assistance when needed.
- Created a welcoming environment for children and parents through attentive listening and genuine interactions.
- Fostered an inclusive atmosphere within the Children''s Ministry department by embracing diversity among participants in the first multi-racial church in the city.
- Implemented creative outreach strategies designed specifically to connect with unchurched families in the community effectively.
- Collaborated with other ministry leaders to develop cohesive programming that promoted spiritual growth across all ages.
- Enhanced children''s spiritual growth by developing and implementing age-appropriate ministry programs.
Education
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, ILOther
Skills
- Donor relations
- Volunteer management
- Marketing communications
- Fundraising strategies
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Organizational skills
- Team leadership
- Professionalism
- Interpersonal skills
Accomplishments
- Developed and managed concierge stewardship programs for multi-million dollar donors.
- Developed and managed steward programs for under $5K donors and increased donor retention via meaningful communication and impact reports.
- Developed stewardship programs for donors of the current $400MM+ endowment and $7MM annual fund yearly goal.
- Expert in Blackbaud NXT, Blackbaud K-12, Blackbaud (database view), Veracross and experienced in Slate.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, and Outlook.
Timeline
Bar & Grill Owner
Journey's End Bar & Grill
11.2021 - 08.2025
Stewardship Coordinator
Culver Academies
08.2007 - Current
Used Bookstore Owner
The Readers Attic
01.2000 - 06.2006
Children's Ministry Director
Family Christian Center
10.1992 - 06.2006
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Southern Illinois University
Other