A few weeks ago in late May I turned 74 and on June 1, 2016, I marked my 46th Anniversary in the fundraising professions. Lo, those 46 short years ago I began my career in fundraising as The Director of Alumni Affairs at my Alma Mater, The University of Massachusetts. In those days there were no formal programs to train people to be fundraisers. I was actually an Agricultural Economist working in the Food Distribution Industry when I saw the opportunity to change my career path and enter the not for profit sector and it is a decision I have never regretted.
In fundraising I had found something I could be passionate about and to this day the passion still burns strong in me and is one of the reasons I continue to work part-time well beyond the traditional retirement age of 65 or younger. Many of my friends ask me why I’m still working. The easy answer is I love my work. I enjoy getting up in the morning and going to work at The Living City Foundation, the fundraising arm of Toronto and Region Conservation. I can honestly say that I have only worked for organizations I believe in during my 46 years and counting career.
Along the way I picked up an MBA in Management which has proved very useful at times over the years. But the highlight of my career was attaining my ACFRE accreditation in 2004. This highest accreditation in fundraising has only been attained by 109 people of which 9 are Canadians.
Oh I have to admit that I tried retirement in 2013 and it lasted 3 or 4 months. Quite frankly I was bored and I needed the adrenaline rush that I get from fundraising. There have been times over the past 46 years that I didn’t get an adrenaline rush from my work, but it was usually due to not being in the best fit in an organization, not disenchantment in the organization per se.
Now that I’m semi-retired I am able to enjoy more of life. In the good weather from April to November I try to get in 3 nine whole rounds of golf each week. And with the extra income Rebecca and I can take 2-3 vacations a year. We have a passion for going on Ocean and River Cruises. And right now I’m really looking forward to a 21 day cruise in January out of Buenos Aires that will take us to Antarctica where we will cruise along Antarctica’s coast for 3 days. After this cruise I will be able to say that I have visited all 7 continents during my lifetime.
So I ask you why would I want to retire when I’m having so much fun in life? Retirement at a traditional age is a good thing for many people, but for some of us the opportunity to be able to continue to grow professionally and to be able to contribute effectively in a profession we love is the healthy choice for us.
I stay active in our professional organizations, both AFP and CAGP. And in case you are wondering what my next goals are professionally. Well I have been a member of AFP for 36 years, so it might be nice to be able to retire and say I was an AFP member for 40 years and I served the fundraising profession that I love for 50 years. Will this happen. Who knows. I don’t have a crystal ball, but stay tuned.
Jim Allen is a senior fundraising executive with a wealth of experience in serving the not-for-profit sector in education, health care and social services. Some of Jim’s key accomplishments as a professional fundraiser and a fundraising consultant include revitalizing fundraising campaigns, developing corporate relationships, public relations and managing staff and volunteers. His expertise runs the gamut of fundraising initiatives from annual giving and major gifts programs to campaign management and planned giving. A pioneer in introducing innovative concepts and initiatives to traditional fundraising activities, Jim has built a demonstrated record of accomplishment in all aspects of the field.
Jim currently as Philanthropy Officer for The Living City Foundation
Jim has played a key role within the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). He has served as AFP Cleveland Chapter President, AFP National Board Member and was elected to two terms on the AFP Toronto Chapter Board of Directors. Jim is also a long time member of the Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP).
Jim was awarded the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) designation in 2004.
Jim served on the ACFRE International Certification Board from January 1, 2009- December 31, 2012
