I had an unexpected reflection this week after interviewing for a strategic communications role. While technically I was the candidate, and honestly I should have been nervous because it was an opportunity I was ideally suited for, but it felt more like a strategy session. There was an easy exchange of ideas and thoughtful reflectionsContinue reading “Pattern Recognition Is My Superpower”
Author Archives: kimberlystrenk
When “Giving Back” Becomes Your Day Job
Salary for social respect. Competition for collaboration. Structure for stretch. Sounds good, right? I made the leap from corporate marketing and PR into nonprofit development five years ago. My fundraising experience to that point had mostly been as a volunteer, donor, and board member. I’ll admit, I had no idea how different it would feelContinue reading “When “Giving Back” Becomes Your Day Job”
Building a Culture of Philanthropy From the Inside Out
Why would a nonprofit launch its biggest fundraising campaign to staff before going public to potential donors? Because program staff are not just employees — they are the most important stakeholders. This may not seem like an obvious step in the nonprofit sector. After all, you need donors — lots of them — to fuelContinue reading “Building a Culture of Philanthropy From the Inside Out”
Major Gifts: The Power of Personal Connection
People don’t give because of data points. They give because they care. At the major gift level, donors aren’t simply giving — they’re investing. They want to know their support will fuel lasting change, not just a short-term result. That’s why, at our recent Breakthrough Central Texas event, we designed the program to draw peopleContinue reading “Major Gifts: The Power of Personal Connection”
Who Said 50 Was the Finish Line?
Taking on a big, unfamiliar challenge and seeing it through has been a powerful affirmation: I’m still growing, gaining strength, and building momentum. I’m showing up with more clarity, capacity, and drive than ever before.
From Public Relations to Philanthropy: A Career Connected
“My path to this work has been unconventional, and yet now it makes perfect sense!”
A Year Containing Multitudes
It’s at the edges of waiting for life to happen that time seems to slow its cadence.
Hey, Breakthrough!
As I reflect on my first 30 days at Breakthrough Central Texas as Director of Philanthropy, without hyperbole, I can say that I have found my place. My “why” is so seamlessly integrated into the work that I do every single day. The all-staff meetings start with the call and response: “Hey, Breakthrough!” It’s aContinue reading “Hey, Breakthrough!”
We Are More Than our Work
My career reinvention centered on my dream to align the work that I do with my core values around equity.
Building a Company …
Building a company from the ground up is like nothing you can imagine unless you have been there, on the ground, and in the trenches. We are learning as we are building every moment of every day. I’m charged with sales, marketing, and partnership development but I also help out with other functional areas suchContinue reading “Building a Company …”
We're Pivoting 