Kerry Alys Robinson - Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy, and a Spiritual Call to Service

In Imagining Abundance Kerry Robinson invites us to accompany her on a holy journey as she takes us on a personalized journey through her life as a philanthropist and fundraiser. The result is an insightful book that is a must read for donors and fundraisers who want to explore the ways in which faith and spiritual values can inspire and inform transformative and thoughtful giving.

William G. Enright
Senior Fellow & Founding Director
The Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Indiana University

Imagining Abundance is a spectacular achievement. Im not surprisedno one is more capable of writing it than Kerry Robinson. She has so well integrated faith and philanthropy throughout her own life. She reminds that to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48). It will be an inspiration to all of us to be good stewards of what God has givenso abundantly.

Thomas Groome
Professor of Theology and Religious Education, Boston College
Author of What Makes Us Catholic

This is an essential and instructive bookand at the same time, it is also deeply spiritual and inspiring. It will speak profoundly to anyone interested in the deeper call of vocation, and in achieving great impact for Gods people and the common good. Kerry Robinson speaks from firsthand experience and keen understanding of the two interrelated worlds of philanthropy and fundraising.

Alexia Kelley
President and CEO, Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA)

In a voice that radiates joy from every page, Kerry Robinson shows us that there is grace to be had on both sides of the asking/giving coin, that other-centeredness can truly be a vocation, and that we neednt worry about always slicing the pie more thinly. We have the ingredients to make vastly larger, more nutritious ones. This book, Imagining Abundance, makes me proud to be in the fundraising business!

Craig J. Leach
CEO, Graham-Pelton Consulting, Inc./Collegium, Inc.

Pope Francis tells us that there is only one mission and it is Jesus mission. Kerry calls us to live that mission with great hope, enthusiasm, and joy in abundance. Everyone involved in development should read Imagining Abundance. It would be a perfect gift to share with a board of directors or trustees. It is well worth the read, but more importantly worth the conversations and ideas it will inspire.

Sr. Georgette Lehmuth, OSF
President and CEO
National Catholic Development Conference

Imagining Abundance is an autobiographical case study of one of the most impressive campaigns in history to build a vibrant Catholic campus ministry center at a major research university. Kerry Robinson knows development both as a member of a philanthropic foundation and as a chief development officer. Her account provides more than principles for effective fundraising; it provides a spirituality of development work. This is a must read for all involved in faith-based development.

Gregory E. Sterling
The Reverend Henry L. Slack Dean
The Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament
Yale Divinity School

Not since Henri Nouwens little book on the spirituality of fundraising have we been given a jewel like this book. Kerry Robinson weaves her own storywhich includes her deep roots in the Raskob familys remarkable philanthropic spirittogether with priceless practical theological wisdom and marvelous examples of everyday people serving God and the church. By doing so with such candor and grace, Robinson helps us glimpse the Holy Spirit at work in our midst when we re-imagine philanthropy and fundraising as signs of the abundance that flow from the generosity of God.

John Wimmer
Program Director, Religion
Lilly Endowment

Cover design by Stefan Killen Design.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

2014 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, microfiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint Johns Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Robinson, Kerry A.

Imagining abundance : fundraising, philanthropy, and a spiritual call to service / Kerry Alys Robinson.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-8146-3766-1 ISBN 978-0-8146-3791-3 (ebook)

1. Catholic ChurchCharities. 2. Church charities. 3. Service (Theology) 4. GenerosityReligious aspectsChristianity.
5. ChristiansCharitable contributions. 6. Church fund raising I. Title.

BX2347.R63 2014
262.0068'1dc23

2014025292

Its good to be blessed. Its better to be a blessing.

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What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

Albert Pike