Employee Spotlight: Todd's Story
Todd’s Story
Most of our stories will be about our neighbors, but sometimes we will share stories from staff and volunteers in the KCB community.
My name is Todd, and I am the Director of Development for Kingdom Causes Bellflower (KCB). I have been on the KCB staff since 2016, and before that I served on the Board of Directors for nine years. Over the last 18 years I have seen a lot of changes. What hasn’t changed is that KCB continues to seek the peace and prosperity of the city. God has been so incredibly faithful, and it has been a privilege to serve this community.
Today, my role is mostly focused on writing grants for KCB. Most people in the nonprofit sector will tell you that grant writing, along with fundraising in general, is their least favorite part of the role. Generally, people do not like to ask others for money, even for an amazing cause. Grant writing is not always enjoyed because it can be tedious and require patience, not to mention that requests have a high failure rate.
For whatever reason, God has given me the patience and tenacity to fill this small function for KCB. The role is a privilege.
A few years ago, I went to a workshop that included a cohort of grant writers from various causes. There were grant writers who supported education, the environment, animal shelters, food banks, and even a person who chased grants to preserve historical buildings. It was quite a mix of people. I found it interesting to hear stories and, in many cases, strong passion for the work that they did. This experience was also a reminder to me that while I could most likely go through the process of writing grant applications for a variety of causes, belief in mission is a powerful force when it comes to perseverance.
The KCB mission is what keeps me going, not just because I have been around for some time, but because I have seen God use this organization to change so many lives. My tasks are typically focused on finances, but my true hope is that the people of Bellflower and beyond will engage with all aspects of the work that we do. I want the individuals, churches, businesses, and other nonprofits of this community to meet our neighbors, come alongside them, hear their stories, and truly engage in building a flourishing community. Receiving a grant can be a happy moment, but seeing our neighbors find places to live, work, and belong, is incredibly exciting.
Shalom.