James P. LaRose, CFRE known around the world as Jimmy LaRose the "Fundraiser's Fundraiser" continues to transform nonprofit executives tasked with raising money in a tumultuous 21st Century economy. His passion for the nonprofit sector is without bounds and his love for the servant leaders who serve it is unparalleled. His heroes are those men and women of the charitable world who lay down their lives daily for the hurting and the hopeless. He has spent the last twenty years supporting leaders who spend themselves in service to others. Jimmy and his longtime collaborator Wesley A. Rediger, Ed.D. have inspired audiences worldwide to new heights in fundraising with their laughter, passion, zeal, and conviction that one ought never apologize for boldly inviting another to financially invest in a greater cause. Wesley, author of the "Perfect Capital Campaign" concept and co-founder of the National Development Institute entered Jimmy's life in 1996 and became his greatest influence. Jimmy is fond of sharing with audiences, "Wesley's knowledge of development is without bounds...he's challenged everything I believe about the raising of money." Having traveled the world together, they now sow their vast experience into a new generation of development officers, challenging them to "get out of themselves, find a need, and meet it."  

Development Systems International, Inc.

In 1991, Jimmy launched Development Systems International, Inc. with a vision for a company that moved the 501c3 industry away from focusing on advancing their institutions through fundraising to the higher call of seeking to identify the needs of donors and then meeting those needs. It was based upon this "donor-driven" philosophy of development that DSI was born. Since its inception, DSI Counselors have served over 200 hundred nonprofits in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Central America, and the Carribean. Jimmy and the DSI Team lead organizations in major gifts cultivation, special donor events, direct mail, foundation solicitation, annual fund campaigns, capital campaigns, feasibility studies and board/staff development.

National Development Institute

After years of sharing his "donor-driven" philosophy on the nonprofit speaking circuit, Jimmy realized that the tremendous reception he was receiving at fundraising conferences could be expanded by providing nonprofit executives an educational setting that championed this unique approach to the raising of money.  In 1997, the National Development Institute was established to train leaders to be "donor-oriented" in public relations, major gifts campaigns, board formation, staff development, communications, special events, strategic planning, and overall nonprofit institutional advancement. Since NDI's inception, over 1500 development officers have attended this conference series in venues across the nation. Finally, understanding the need for NDI to expand beyond his abilities Jimmy stepped down as CEO and named his friend and industry counterpart Ann E. Akerman President of the National Development Institute. Under Ann's leadership NDI has expanded its program offering and has dramatically increased the number of nonprofits served.

Polaris Fundraising Worldwide

In 2005, Jimmy and Jerry Grimes, the internationally renowned Christian Broadcasting Veteran began a journey that led to the formation of Polaris Fundraising Worldwide. After proving their fundraising success in Christian radio both domestically and overseas Polaris Fundraising Worldwide was launched to assist Christian Broadcasters in raising major gifts to increase annual fund revenues, realize capital campaign goals, and meet other critical financial needs. Comprised of veteran broadcasters and major gifts development officers Polaris Fundraising Worldwide team members work with General Managers, Executive Directors, Development Officers, and Board Members to properly identify, engage, and invite new and existing donors to give 5, 6, and 7 figure gifts. Polaris Fundraising Worldwide has formalized strategic alliances with ShareMedia Services and GoodRatings.com combining forces to bring even more charitable revenues to these important ministries.

JimmyLaRose.Com

In 2006, JimmyLaRose.Com was established to mass market Jimmy's retail line of fundraising tools. Having authored what is widely recognized as the "Fundraiser's Bible", Jimmy's EFFECTUAL DYNAMICS OF RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, a 500 page SourceBook On The Raising of Money, has been the basis for hundreds of successful major gift campaigns launched around the world. His SUPER CULTIVATION: FUNDRAISING DVD SERIES makes available to nonprofit leaders the money raising solutions that, until now, could only be heard during private sessions at industry conferences. The much anticipated IN-A-BOX product lines come to market in Fall 2007. Each BOX contains THOUSANDS OF EDITABLE FILES CONTAINING WINNING DOCUMENTS THAT RELATE TO THE RAISING OF MONEY. Executives will finally be able to CUT-AND-PASTE their way through project preparation with fresh material THAT THEY OWN. Fundraisers will save hundreds of man-hours, equip new staff with proven copy, and as always... raise more money.

Jimmy has served as the past President of both the Association of Christian Development Professionals (ACDP) and as the founding President of the Western Maryland Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). He holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification, and is a graduate of Indiana University's Executive Leadership Institute and Faculty Training Academy, Indianapolis, IN, the National Planned Giving Institute, Memphis, TN, Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN, and Word Of Life Bible Institute, Schroon Lake, NY. Jimmy and his wife, Dianne make their home in Columbia, SC where they spend much of their time with friends and family in worship and service at Central Assembly of God Church. They are also involved in significant outreach to the homeless and drug addicted populations of Columbia. In closing, the three links in the James P. LaRose Company logo represent Jimmy's three enterprises and are also the universal sign of the Triune God of the Bible depicting The Father, His Son Jesus, and The Holy Spirit.

Thanks for spending time with us we look forward to you becoming part of the family!