Session Description:

Could the results of your annual fund be improved? The classical movement is characterized by integrating proven methods with new approaches to contextualize them. Why should our fundraising be any different? Most annual fund efforts combine habitual tactics (things we have always done) with tactics based on fads (the latest trend, often driven by popularity rather than effectiveness). However, it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, your mission is too important for this to hold true.

Bio:

Brad Layland has become a mainstay in the classical Christian school movement. Not only has he professionally helped dozens of classical schools raise the money they need to accomplish their mission, but personally has helped start a classical school in his hometown of St Augustine, Florida. He and his wife, Wendy, have three kids enrolled at Veritas School in Richmond, Virginia.
Brad received his B.A. in Communications from the University of Florida and his M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. His career has spanned from 20 years at Young Life, including serving as a Chief Development Officer, to his current role as Chief Executive Officer at The FOCUS Group – a fundraising consultancy. Brad’s expertise in providing high-level fundraising counsel to nonprofit organizations incorporates major donor strategies, training workshops, planned gift marketing, and capital campaign counsel. In recent years, he has supported capital campaigns for Dallas Theological Seminary ($220M), Intervarsity Christian Fellowship ($89 million), Union Rescue Mission ($83 million), The Bowery Mission ($27 million), and Veritas Classical School ($16 million).

He currently serves on Veritas Classical School and Young Life of Canada boards. Brad enjoys running marathons, skiing, investing in real estate, entrepreneurship, and traveling with his family. Over the past 20 years, he has completed 61 marathons and recently completed two Ironman Triathlons.