On May 21, the St. John Paul II Catholic High School Board of Trustees announced and welcomed Mrs. Constance Anderson as the Director of Development. Mrs. Anderson comes to JPII with more than 30 years of mission advancement experience with schools, diocesan offices, community nonprofits, a state university, and a hospital foundation.
“I am delighted to be chosen as JPII’s new Development Director! My experience with the search committee was very informative and I feel fortunate to have a well-qualified, seasoned, enthusiastic staff already in place,” said Anderson. “I look forward to getting their input and collaborating with them to accomplish our goals, providing a fundraising foundation for the school to grow and thrive.”
The first priority for Anderson and the Advancement Team is stewardship. The main objective will be to identify existing support from long-time constituents to ensure they have all been recognized. The Advancement Team will follow best practices for fundraising growth, developing a five-year plan, and using the classic pyramid of giving. When asked what she believed to be the key to a successful development program, Anderson said, “I believe wholeheartedly that the key for a successful Catholic fundraising program is summed up by Henri Nouwen, who wrote, “Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission. (W)e are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you – your energy, your prayers, and your money – in this work to which God has called us.’ Our invitation is clear and confident because we trust that our vision and mission are like ‘trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither’ (P. 1:3).”
Anderson’s most vivid personal experience in fundraising came early in her career. As a volunteer board member, she spearheaded the Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation’s annual Volunteer Activist Awards Luncheon. One committee member reached out to Baton Rouge’s main hospitals and these hospitals became the event’s lead sponsors. The enthusiasm spread throughout the nonprofit community. The net profits were tripled from the previous year and the campaign was considered by many to be Baton Rouge’s most successful fundraising event of the year.
Dr. Jeremiah Russell, JPII Headmaster, added, “While going through the interview process, Mrs. Anderson rose to the top of our candidate list. “Her work experience, with both Catholic and community nonprofits, made her a great fit for JPII. She understands the importance of Catholic Education and has the commitment and drive to grow and strengthen the JPII advancement efforts. We are excited to have her join the Falcon family.”
Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Education and a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA). She has completed coursework in Catholic Theology from St. Joseph’s Seminary (St. Benedict, LA) and the University of Holy Cross (New Orleans, LA). She is a qualified exam candidate, Certified Fund-Raising Executive; and has numerous courses and certification via the Association of Fundraising Professionals and The Grantsmanship Center. Constance Anderson is married to Larry Anderson and they are the proud parents of two children: Dr. Lauren Anderson-Carriere and Dr. Frank Anderson.