News & Events
KEES loves shining a light on the nonprofit leaders who power the missions we all care about. This month, we’re spotlighting Candidate Placement Julie Facion, Donor Relations Director with The Salvation Army – Western Division, located in Cedar Rapids, IA. Julie has spent nearly three and a half decades in the nonprofit sector, the last nine of them with The Salvation Army. Julie’s insights on relationship-driven fundraising are well worth the read.
Thank you, Julie, for your willingness to let us highlight you, your leadership, and your commitment to The Salvation Army!
Why The Salvation Army, and why 2017?
Julie’s career began with a local nonprofit serving homeless women and providing literacy and education services, and over the years she moved into executive leadership roles, working with local, national, and international organizations. By the time she worked with KEES in 2017 and eventually joined The Salvation Army, she had already spent about 26 years in the nonprofit sector.
“I saw The Salvation Army as an opportunity to bring that experience together with an organization whose mission has such a strong impact on the community,” Julie said. “It felt like a natural next step in my career.”
Defining Moments of the Past Nine Years
When asked about the highlights of her tenure, Julie didn’t hesitate to point to the moments that tested (and proved) The Salvation Army’s role in crisis response.
“COVID and the Eastern Iowa derecho were defining moments because we saw how quickly community needs could change and how important The Salvation Army’s disaster response is to community recovery,” she said.
She also points to a major fundraising win: securing the funds for two Emergency Disaster Services vehicles, one in Cedar Rapids and one in Dubuque. Julie shared, “Knowing those vehicles will strengthen our ability to respond to disasters and serve communities for years to come makes that accomplishment especially meaningful.”
And through it all, the relationships remain at the center.
“Building long-term relationships with donors and seeing their generosity directly impact people in our community has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.”
How Major Gift Fundraising Has Changed
“After 35 years in the nonprofit field, I’ve seen fundraising become much more strategic and relationship driven. Donors today want to understand the impact of their investment and feel connected to the solution. Technology and data have also changed how we identify and communicate with donors. But one thing hasn’t changed: people give to people and causes they believe in. Technology can support the relationship, but it can’t replace trust and authenticity.”
Advice for the Next Generation of Fundraisers
For professionals entering fundraising or major gifts work, Julie’s advice is refreshingly simple and rooted in listening.
“Learn the whole organization—not just fundraising,” she states. “Understand the programs and services, the people you serve, and the challenges you’re trying to solve. And learn to listen. Don’t walk into a donor meeting thinking about what you want to ask for. Find out what matters to the donor and where that connects with your mission. Most importantly, be authentic. Relationships take time, and trust is the foundation of major gift fundraising.”
Looking ahead to the Christmas Season
As the busiest time of year approaches, Julie is gearing up for what she calls an incredibly busy but rewarding season. Nationally, The Salvation Army provided holiday assistance to more than 2.5 million people and families last year, including more than a million children through Angel Tree. To learn more about the iconic Salvation Army red kettle campaign or to donate, please visit here.
“For me, working across Eastern Iowa and supporting eight communities, Christmas is especially busy,” Julie said. “I’m working with donors, volunteers, and community partners to make sure families and children have the food, gifts, and support they need during the holidays. It’s a huge community effort, and that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
But she’s careful to point out that the need doesn’t stop when the season ends.
“The Salvation Army’s work doesn’t end at Christmas. The needs in these communities are year-round, and we’re there to help whenever people need us.”
In addition to her full-time role with The Salvation Army, Julie finds time to be an active member of the Affordable Housing Commission in Cedar Rapids, a leader within the Cedar Rapids Noon Lions Club, and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also a dedicated volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she has been matched with her “Little,” Ruby, for nearly three years. Julie and Ruby were matched when Ruby was eight years old.
Julie, thank you for sharing your story and your wisdom with us. Your dedication to The Salvation Army and to the donors and communities you serve is a powerful example of what mission-driven leadership looks like.
Interested in building a mission-driven fundraising team like Julie’s? Contact KEES to learn how we help nonprofits find exceptional leaders.