Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Kay Larrick is a 30-year veteran in the field of fundraising and an accomplished nonprofit professional with a demonstrated ability to deliver mission-critical results. Her experience includes raising millions of dollars through successful grant writing, event management, annual giving programs, special appeals, and working with major donors. Kay believes the golden thread that runs through these processes is building good relationships.

She is an experienced board leader, having held positions as President and Vice President for AFP Association of Fundraising Professionals, Rockford Chapter, Northern Illinois Planned Giving Council, and the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE). Kay has facilitated NICNE's Fund Development course in the Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program since 2014.

Kay was named 2011 Rockford Woman of the Year and was one of twelve participants invited to the 2008 World Changers Conference to learn the art of moving hearts and minds. Kay earned a bachelor's degree in business from Rockford University, a Master's in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame, and the designation of CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive). Kay recently retired from her position as Executive Director at Carpenter's Place where she had worked for the past twenty years. During her tenure at Carpenter's Place, the organization was awarded the prestigious 2007 Excelsior Award by the Rockford Register Star and the 2013 Spirit of Caring Award by Crusader Community Health.

Kay's areas of skill include:

• Fund development
• Board development
• Interim executive director
• Executive director mentorship and coaching
• Strategic communications
• Volunteer management and development
• Community engagement
• Collaboration and strategic alliance