Jimmy LaRose & Wes Rediger...Fundraising's Two Best Friends

James P. LaRose, CFRE, known around the world as Jimmy LaRose the "Fundraiser's Fundraiser," continues to transform nonprofit executives tasked with raising money in a tumultuous 21st Century economy. His passion for the nonprofit sector is without bounds and his love for the servant leaders who serve it is unparalleled. His heroes are those men and women of the charitable world who lay down their lives daily for the hurting and the hopeless. He has spent the last twenty years supporting leaders who spend themselves in service to others.

Jimmy is fond of sharing with these professionals, "Finances and resources chase after ideas and there will always be generous people who will amply support a great dream backed by a sound plan." Jimmy and his longtime collaborator, Wesley A. Rediger, Ed.D, have inspired audiences worldwide to new heights in fundraising with their laughter, passion, zeal, and conviction that one ought never apologize for boldly inviting another to financially invest in a greater cause. Wesley, author of the "Perfect Capital Campaign" concept and co-founder of the National Development Institute, entered Jimmy's life in 1996 and became his greatest influence. Jimmy is fond of sharing with audiences, "Wesley's knowledge of development  is without bounds...he's challenged everything I believe about the raising of money." Having traveled the world together, "Fundraising's Two Best Friends" now sow their vast experience into development officers, challenging them to "get out of themselves, find a need, and meet it."

Jimmy has served as President of the Association of Christian Development Professionals (ACDP) and is the founding President of the Western Maryland Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).  He holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive certification from the AFP, and is a graduate of AFP's Faculty Training Academy (FTA) and has been named a “Subject Matter Expert” by the AFP. Jimmy is also a specialist with the U.S. State Department's Speakers Bureau traveling the world working with embassies, foreign governments, and leaders to promote philanthropy and civil society in developing countries. Jim is a graduate of Indiana University's Executive Leadership Program, Indianapolis, IN, the National Planned Giving Institute, Memphis, TN, Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN and Word of Life Bible Institute, Schroon Lake, NY. Jimmy and his wife, Dianne make their home in Columbia, SC where they spend much of their time with friends and family in worship and service at Central Assembly of God.

Wesley authored The Anatomy of the Perfect Capital Campaign, after guiding a rural Midwestern community to $2,361,000 against their goal of $2,000,000 in just three months of preparation and three months of solicitation visits. He has taught successful fundraising practices across the United States for small organizations and international associations. His experience spans organizations in major metropolitan areas such as New York City and Philadelphia, and international organizations based in England and the Caribbean. He has led non-profit organizations in planning, administration, fundraising, public relations, and annual, major gift and capital campaigns since the late sixties. He has served large and small organizations as an executive director, auditor, Vice President, teacher and consultant. He is a graduate of Taylor University and Ball State University Teachers College, (MA, EdD), the Fund Raising School with Hank Rosso, now at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, and the Indiana University Executive Leadership Institute. He is certified by the Center for the Application of Psychological Type and he earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive, (CFRE), in 1995.