Volunteer Management Group

Brad McKenna is an energetic optimist committed to using his knowledge and experience to inspire others to make a significant, positive impact toward their philanthropic goals. He is currently the Director of Development at Goods for Good, an organization whose mission is to collect surplus goods for targeted distribution to vulnerable children in Africa (www.goods4good.org).

In 2002 Brad pursued his dream of working with animals at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan. As a trainer of dog guides, he worked with both dogs and the visually impaired to create successful partnerships of safe travel and companionship. His desire to share the organization’s mission with others made for a natural transition into development. As part of the development team Brad initiated and managed an outreach program intended to build a younger donor constituency. In its first year the program added over 4,000 new donors (www.leaderdog.org).

His passion to inspire others for positive change has, since, led him as far as Malawi, Africa, where he held the position of Director of Development at Kindle Orphan Outreach with Extreme Response International. While at Kindle, Brad produced successful fundraising results to support a 300% growth in programs and staff, two capital campaigns and managed the organizations local and international public relations. In addition to learning a new culture and customs, he also learned to speak Chichewa, the local language of Malawi (www.extremeresponse.org).

Brad also brings clear mathematical and technological skills to his non-profit engagements. While at New York University, he assumed the role as the university's first Development Analyst. The job focused on assessing the university's fundraising operations and business needs and then developing solutions that would provide the more than 400 development staff with the best tools possible. In 2009-10, Brad led and launched the university's largest fundraising software project in over a decade. The project helped to prepare NYU for future campaigns as large as $2 billion (www.nyu.edu).

Brad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and General Science Studies from Rochester College, Michigan. He maintained Dean's List academic achievements while participating as a two-sport student athlete. He is currently earning a Masters in Fundraising at New York University.

When asked about a favorite quotation Brad states, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?’ That phrase has consistently been a driving force in my life!”

Brad teaches Fundraising Excellence in the VMG Nonprofit Management Certificate program offered online with VMG and in the classroom at Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY.