AFP Member Spotlight: David Lynx

AFP Member Spotlights are a recurring series of interviews with AFP members, highlighting the unique individuals and career paths that exist within the fundraising profession. If you know an inspiring fundraising professional who deserves to be featured, please email afpmarcom@afpglobal.org. 

In this member spotlight, we interviewed David Lynx, executive director at the Kirkland Arts Center. He shared with us how his passion for museums and art has led to an interest in expanding his fundraising skills. 

Q: How did you start your career in the fundraising profession and what led you there? 
A: I have primarily been in the museum profession. Since all of my work has been in the nonprofit sector, it has always involved a great deal of fundraising. I began working in an art gallery while taking an Asian art history class in college. The teacher was also a gallery director and needed help, so I offered. Within a few years, I had become the director. I decided to get my master’s degree in museum studies, then moved on to working in a history museum. I worked for 18 years at the Yakima Valley Museum and was involved in their 5-million-dollar remodel. I moved on to the Larson Gallery at Yakima Valley College and completed a 1.3-million-dollar campaign for a new building for the gallery.  The new building housed a wine tasting room for the college’s wine program and an outdoor sculpture garden, so the entire project was $3 million.

Q: When and why did you decide to become an AFP member? 
A: After working on the last campaign, I realized there was a lot I didn’t know, especially about aspects like charitable remainder trusts. I also wanted to get more of an understanding about making “cold calls”, etc.  

Q: Are you doing anything innovative at your organization (or a past organization) that you think other fundraisers could benefit from?
A: The big challenge, especially in the arts, is to get people inspired to give. If you have an organization that already has an identified need that people empathize with, you have an advantage. The arts can be a challenge. Recently, we revised our mission and vision statement, and generally have been looking at how we can help the community outside of the four walls of our building. Helping the community in general also helps the community to become more familiar with what we do. 

Q: What is your favorite word? (only one word) How has this word influenced or inspired your career?
A: Spark (I would also say Inspiration or Creativity). There was a video produced for a conference in Philadelphia called Spark – you can see it on YouTube under the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.  I always like that spark of creativity or spark of inspiration… the “aha” moment. I am so excited when that spark happens because it can solve everything at the moment. 

Q: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of? 
A: Although I was involved with the Yakima Valley Museum remodel, creating the marketing for the funding campaign, I was the lead on proposing the idea and following through with construction of the Larson Gallery’s new building at Yakima Valley College – so this was a proud achievement and is now a permanent fixture. In my work in the museum field, I am most proud of an exhibit I did called, “In Memory Of: Expression of Mourning in Victorian America.” This exhibit was on Victorian funeral customs and won the Washington State Museum Award of Exhibit Excellence. I was proud that Michael Gregoire (husband of Washington state governor, Christine Gregoire) came to see it.

Q: How has being an AFP member and participating in the AFP affinity groups benefited you in your career? 
A: I am a fairly new member but recently participated in a wellness retreat put on by the Advancement Northwest Washington chapter.  It was fun meeting other members in person and making connections.  I learned about nonprofits I had not heard of before, and also met someone who has a very similar position as mine that I can bounce ideas off of.

Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the nonprofit fundraising profession today?
A: Empathy – Understanding the organization’s needs and communicating that with others – Creating empathy among donors toward your organization. On another note, the government should make it easier for people to give to charities — making this more of a benefit on your taxes. I remember, at one time, even someone filling out a simple one-sheet 1040A and being able to make a deduction. This all changed.

Q: What advice do you have for other fundraising professionals, or people interested in getting into the field? 
A: When I was facing a new campaign, I happened to be talking to Frank Macri, who is a business and relationship coach. He asked me if I gave to charities; I said yes. He then asked me how I felt when I gave. I told him it made me feel good, as I was helping to make a difference. He said, “Wouldn’t you want to give someone else that opportunity to feel good?” So, I feel that people are not going to know about the opportunity unless you tell them.