Presenters: Rich Block, Steve Hearst, Bill Kearney, Jim Jackson
Session Length: 1 Hour (60 minutes)
Session Description
Strong fundraising doesn’t happen through development staff alone. This session will explore how organizations can help current board members embrace fundraising and find future board members to create a culture where board members are integral to fundraising. Attendees will learn how to help board members fundraise, encourage them to introduce new people to the nonprofit's efforts, and team with staff to meet with their peers. Hear directly from board members and fundraising leaders about their experiences building healthier partnerships between boards and fundraising teams to strengthen donor relationships and support increased giving and major gifts. Learn about communication strategies, shared responsibility, navigating donor conversations, and creating a culture where fundraising becomes a natural part of board leadership rather than an uncomfortable obligation.
Steve Hearst Bio
Steve Hearst’s family came to this country, like so many others, seeking opportunity and escaping oppression. Since then, his family has been dedicated to giving back wherever they can and wherever the need exists. As C.E.O. of The Morgan Hearst Charitable Foundation, he has the opportunity to help those helping the underserved in Ventura County and beyond.
Bill Kearney Bio
Bill was born and raised in Pomona, California. During his college career at UCLA, he worked as a truck driver, warehouseman, factory worker and janitor. He graduated from UCLA in 1971 with a degree in Economics. Following graduation, Bill spent four years managing a secondary fiber pulp mill in Santa Ana. In 1975, Bill joined Merrill Lynch where he remained for 43 years. In addition to his duties as a wealth manager, Bill coordinated private placements for the West Coast and served as a sales director, covering offices from Encino to San Luis Obispo. He also spent four years on Merrill Lynch’s National Advisory Council. In 2004, Bill was honored with the Merrill Lynch Lifetime Achievement Award. Since retiring from Merrill Lynch, Bill has been focused on organizing a family farming business which grows rice, walnuts, almonds, and olives.
In addition to serving on several non-profit boards, Bill has served as the President or Chairperson of several different Ventura County organizations: Casa Pacifica, Ventura County Taxpayers Association, Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura Rotary Club, The United Way, The Foundation Board of CSU Channel Islands, and the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation. Currently he is board chair of the Community Memorial Healthcare Board.
Recently, Bill was recognized as the Citizen of the Year from the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, Bill has been awarded several service honors, including: The Milton M. Teague Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the United Way of Ventura County, Founder of the Year from the Ventura Music Festival, the Guardian Angel Award from Casa Pacifica, the Larry and Barbara Meister Community Service Award from Interface, the Robert J. Lagomarsino Award for Higher Education, the Cephas Bard Community Leader for Community Memorial Hospital, and the Harriet H. Samulesson award from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oxnard. In 2011, Bill and his wife, Elise, were named Ventura County’s Philanthropists of the Year by the AFP. Bill’s greatest pride was the presentation of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Cal State University, Channel Islands in 2015.
In 2024, Bill was inducted in the Pacific Coast Business Times Business Hall of Fame.
Bill and his wife, Elise have two grown children and four young granddaughters.
Jim Jackson Bio
James H. Jackson ("Jim") is a Santa Barbara native whose family have been residents in Montecito for over 100 years. Since 2001 Jim has worked for the Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang, CA, a family business started by his grandfather in 1946. His current role is Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. Jim has also served for the past 23 years as a trustee of the Ann Jackson Family Foundation.
Jim received his A.B. in English from Stanford University and then returned for his M.B.A from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He worked in Brand Management for General Mills in Minneapolis, MN where he managed consumer brands such as Hamburger Helper, Kix, and Lucky Charms. Subsequently Jim continued working in Brand Management at Nestle USA in Glendale, CA where he managed Carnation Milk brands, Nestle Toll House, and Nestle Sweet Success, among other brands.
Jim has been involved with a variety of non-profit organizations primarily in the Santa Barbara area. He served on the board of the Braille Institute of America for 24 years and was formerly Chairman. He was also formerly Chair of the board of Laguna Blanca School where he served on the board for 17 years also serving for 14 years on the board of the Cancer Center/Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara. Jim has also served on the board of Direct Relief and the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation and he is currently Chairman of the Board of the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Jim and his wife Chana, have two children, Nicholas and Ryan who also reside in Santa Barbara.