Tyler Curtis will join the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation as Chief Development Officer effective August 1, 2021. Tyler brings to the Foundation more than 20 years of experience in education and development.
“I am excited about Tyler’s gifts and passion to bring together fund development and a love for the church and its purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ,” Rev. Dr. Dustin Petz, President of the Foundation, said.
Over the past few years, Tyler began to sense a deeper calling in his life, but going to seminary did not seem to be the right path. After wrestling with how to incorporate his spiritual calling into his professional life, Tyler began integrating ministry in his everyday work as Executive Director of Alumni Relations at Emporia State University. He became intentional in starting conversations when he saw a Bible or other faith-based items as he met with people in his role in Alumni Relations and then as the Assistant Vice President of University Advancement at Emporia State. Now in his role with the Foundation, Tyler will be able to combine his spiritual calling with his experience in donor development.
“This role provides me with a straight path towards infusing my professional talent with the opportunity to secure resources for ministry and mission,” Tyler said. “I had been looking for ways to combine my faith and professional skill, so this made for a perfect marriage.”
In his role, Tyler will serve individuals, churches and related organizations through donor development, helping them to meet their charitable giving goals in life and in estate planning.
“He will focus largely on helping faithful Methodists give during life and in their estate plan to impact the Kingdom,” Dustin said. “This development and fundraising will be to serve the ministries and mission of the Foundation and for the benefit of our Methodist ministries across Kansas.”
Tyler is excited to work with Methodist individuals, churches and institutions and figure out ways resources can be provided to advance mission and ministries.
“There is so much good we do and can continue to do. Regardless of when, we will have to have resources to do those good things,” Tyler said. “I think our (the Foundation’s) services are extremely valuable because without financial resources, you don’t have ministry and you don’t have mission work.”
Prior to working with the Foundation, Tyler worked in University Advancement and Alumni Relations at Emporia State University. His experience also includes secondary education and administration.
