In the West Michigan Is Going Places series, we are talking with local business owners and community leaders about their successes and challenges and highlighting the resources available in the West Michigan community.
In this interview, we spoke with Jon ‘JR’ Roberts of The Fundraisers Collective, a community of nonprofit fundraisers who share tools, ideas, join live calls, and breakout sessions that help fundraisers actually move the needle.
RM: Tell us a little about what your organization does and how it got started.
JR Roberts: The Fundraisers Collective is a community and education platform built for nonprofit fundraisers and leaders who carry the weight of raising support for missions that matter.
We created it because fundraising can be lonely; additionally, retention for fundraising professionals hovers around 18 months. Many development professionals are expected to grow revenue, build relationships, manage events, write appeals, work with boards, and think strategically often without a large team or a strong peer network for support.
The idea started through conversations with other fundraisers who were experiencing the same thing: they wanted practical training, but they also wanted a place to ask real questions, talk through challenges, and learn from others who understand the work.
Today, The Fundraisers Collective offers roundtable calls, short practical trainings called Fund(Ed)15, resource files, past recordings, and an online community where members can post questions and share what is working. At the core, we are helping good people raise more support for causes that matter.
How has your organization changed since you first started out?
JR Roberts: When we first started, the idea was simple: create a space where fundraisers could connect, learn, and not feel alone in the work.
As we have grown, we have learned that people do not just need more content; they need community, connection, clarity, and implementation. Fundraisers are not usually short on ideas; they are often short on time, support, and a safe place to work through what is actually happening within their organizations.
Because of that, The Fundraisers Collective has evolved from just an idea for training and resources into a more complete peer-learning community. We now have members engaging through weekly and monthly roundtables, micro-trainings, discussion threads, and shared resources. We have also started developing more focused spaces for different roles, such as executive directors, development leaders, and fundraisers looking to grow specific areas of their work.
What has stayed the same is the heart behind it: fundraisers learn better when they are not learning alone.
What makes you passionate about what you do?
JR Roberts: I am passionate about this because I know the work fundraisers do matters. Behind almost every strong nonprofit is someone building relationships, inviting generosity, telling stories, and ensuring the mission has the resources it needs to continue. However, many fundraisers perform this work while feeling isolated, under-resourced, or unsure where to turn for practical help.
The Fundraisers Collective exists to change that. I care deeply about helping fundraisers feel supported, encouraged, and equipped. When a fundraiser grows, the impact does not stop with that person. Their organization becomes stronger. Donors become more connected. Communities receive more support. Families are helped. Programs continue. Missions move forward.
That is what makes this work exciting. We are not just building a membership platform. We are building a place where fundraisers can grow together so more good can happen in the community.
How has being here in West Michigan helped your organization?
JR Roberts: West Michigan has been an incredible place to build The Fundraisers Collective because this region has a strong nonprofit community and a deep culture of generosity.
There are so many people here who care about making their community better. Nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, business owners, churches, foundations, and community members are often willing to show up, share connections, and support new ideas.
The Fundraisers Collective has grown in many ways because of relationships that already exist here. Conversations at local events, coffee meetings, podcast interviews, networking groups, and informal introductions have helped shape what we are building. West Michigan is large enough to have a vibrant nonprofit sector, yet relational enough that people still want to know who is behind the work.
That has been a gift. The community has helped us test ideas, invite feedback, and build something that feels grounded in real fundraising work, not just theory.
What’s your approach to customer service and connecting with the community?
JR Roberts: Our approach is relational first. We want members to feel seen, not just subscribed. That means listening closely to what fundraisers are actually facing and creating spaces where they can bring real challenges, not just polished success stories.
We try to keep the tone approachable, practical, and encouraging. Whether someone joins a roundtable, attends a Fund(Ed)15 training, posts a question in the community, or reaches out directly, the goal is the same: help them take a next step.
We also believe everyone has something to give and something to get. A new fundraiser may bring fresh energy and honest questions. A seasoned development leader may bring years of wisdom and lessons learned. The power of the community comes when those people are able to learn from one another.
For us, customer service is not just solving a technical issue or answering a question. It is building trust, creating belonging, and helping members feel like they are part of something useful and human.
How do you plan to grow or adapt your organization for the future?
JR Roberts: We plan to grow The Fundraisers Collective by continuing to listen to fundraisers and building around what they actually need. That includes expanding our roundtables, creating more focused learning opportunities, developing stronger resource libraries, and building pathways for fundraisers at different stages of their careers. We want to serve people who are brand new to fundraising, development directors carrying a full department, executive directors who are also responsible for raising money, and seasoned professionals who still want a strong peer network.
We also see opportunities to partner with nonprofit networks, local associations, foundations, consultants, and community groups that want to strengthen fundraising capacity in their region.
Long term, our hope is that The Fundraisers Collective becomes a trusted place where fundraisers can find training, encouragement, practical tools, and real relationships. We want to help fundraisers stay in the field longer, grow in confidence, and raise more money for missions that matter.
Are there any local organizations or networks that have been particularly helpful for you?
JR Roberts: Yes. West Michigan’s nonprofit and business community has been incredibly helpful. Groups like Drinks & Development, the Known Profits Podcast, local nonprofit leaders, fundraising peers, and many informal relationships across Grand Rapids and the surrounding region have helped shape and grow The Fundraisers Collective. We have also benefited from listening sessions with 50 fundraisers, executive directors, and consultants. The early growth of The Fundraisers Collective has happened because people have been willing to share feedback, introduce us to others, join the community, and encourage the vision. That kind of support is one of the things that makes West Michigan such a meaningful place to build.
