The United Way of Greater St. Louis is number one in African-American philanthropy in the nation. And the man who has helped the organization get there is Orvin Kimbrough, senior vice president of major gifts and planned giving.
Every year that he’s been on board, the United Way has experienced growth. Now after holding his position for almost three years, Kimbrough was just promoted to senior vice president of marketing.
Kimbrough said the United Way is facing pressures, just like other nonprofits, due to the economy and a changing business model. However, with his masters degrees in theology, business and social work, he’s learned that the core of those disciplines is relationships. And that’s also the core to United Way’s success.
“I really use the knowledge and experience I acquired in my prior jobs to help United Way build better relationships,” said Kimbrough, who formerly led Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls. “It’s not about a transaction; we help people.”
Last year, Kimbrough helped to launch the GenNext program for young professionals, an untapped market, he said. In that first year, the initiative raised $2.3 million.
In creating initiatives, it’s important to think of ways to build community, he said – and equally, to make sure there’s a diverse roster of people around the table. So, United Way started a multicultural society this year, which raised $750,000.
When individuals build relationships with United Way, they often do so in their workplace, he said. But what happens when they retire? In order to keep those donors engaged, Kimbrough helped to launch a retiree society, which also has been successful.
Although their bread and butter are large-organization donations, he said, they have also focused on building teams of donors among employees at small businesses.
“Everything we do is about asking the right question,” he said. “Every individual has a philanthropic inclination. My job is to put you in the right kind of environment to help you live into that.”
‘I grew up in a struggle’
Although asking for money is often difficult for many people, it isn’t for Kimbrough – because he knows from personal experience the need for the work that United Way does. Kimbrough grew up in the foster care system.
When he was eight living in North St. Louis, his mother died after living a life ruined by drugs and alcohol. He and his three siblings first went into a stressful foster home experience, and then they were eventually all separated. Kimbrough went to live at Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center and then ECHO Children’s Home.
“United Way people helped me get to where I am,” he said.
“I grew up in a struggle, but it didn’t define me. I want to help our young people see that they aren’t defined by what their parents did, by their community, none of that. It’s just going to take hard work.”
One of the programs that United Way sponsors is Epworth Children and Family Services, which provides services to foster care children, homeless or runaway youth, families in crisis and special needs students.
“Imagine a world where parents weren’t there to help you or nurture you,” he said. “In traditional families, the safety net is the family.”
Kimbrough has been married for 10 years and has two children, whom he is raising in North St. Louis. His children will never experience what he has endured, he said, and he’s happy about that. Many young people who come through Epworth’s doors have endured trauma and abuse.
“This project represents the fruit of so many people in the community’s labor to help children in the foster care system go on and think about life in a different way,” Kimbrough said.
Kimbrough tells young people, “There’s nothing that you’ve gone through that I haven’t seen. You can’t use that as an excuse for me.”
Currently less than 50 percent of foster care children get a high school diploma.
Kimbrough himself recognizes that his case is rare, and many young people won’t get to sit in his chair. But United Way wants to change that, he said.
Nationwide, there are 1,300 groups in the United Way network and each is autonomous. The St. Louis agency is fifth in the nation in fundraising, even though it is based in the 18th largest metropolitan area.
“We have a powerful story,” he said. “We help people. We’re doing extraordinary things that others are taking note of. We are setting the vision and will continue to set the vision.”
