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Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, began his fundraising journey in 1993 as a college student raising support for Young Life. Over 20 years with the organization, he became Chief Development Officer, training leaders and refining his expertise in relational fundraising.Joining The FOCUS Group in 2009, Brad became CEO in 2010 and launched the Taking Donors Seriously® program in 2013 to make fundraising tools accessible to smaller nonprofits. He has led campaigns for organizations like Dallas Theological Seminary ($250M), InterVarsity ($89M), and The Bowery Mission ($27M). Brad holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Florida and an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Wendy, live in St. Augustine, Florida, and have four children. A seasoned athlete, Brad has completed over 70 marathons and two Ironman Triathlons. Brad also founded Endless Summer Realty, St. Augustine’s largest real estate brokerage, and co-founded Veritas Classical School. He initiated St. Augustine’s Giving Day, helping nonprofits raise over $2.5M. His entrepreneurial ventures have deepened his understanding of major donor generosity.
Many Heads of School feel the tension between leading the educational mission and shouldering the responsibility of raising funds. This session will help you resolve that tension by showing how fundraising can be a natural extension of your leadership rather than a competing demand. You’ll learn how to integrate donor engagement into the rhythms of your role in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. Learn how to prioritize your time, partner effectively with your development team, and inspire donors by sharing your vision with clarity and passion.
We’ll also explore the unique influence you have as the chief storyteller for your school. Donors want to hear directly from the leader—your vision, your passion, and your conviction. By learning how to share compelling stories, connect vision to generosity, and model a culture of gratitude, you can lead a thriving fundraising effort that fuels your mission for years to come.