By Sommer Dawson and Rickesh Lakhani, nonprofit executive directors and members of the CCF Global Council
“I took on a role as executive director… came on board and realized that there’s no way that I can kind of shift from being a community-centric fundraiser to not being a community-centric leader, as an executive director. And I just have kind of embraced the role by sort of filtering all my decision making through the lens of community-centric fundraising.”
What does the Community Centric Fundraising (CCF) movement mean to nonprofit leaders who are not fundraisers? What does it mean to be a community-centric institution? How are organizational leaders living and breathing CCF? How has CCF informed your nonprofit leadership? Also, if you’re trying to move your organization towards CCF principles, how can you influence leadership to take action?
Sommer Dawson and Rickesh Lakhani, as nonprofit executive directors use their knowledge of CCF principles to lead their organizations. Hear their responses to these questions and more!
Sommer Dawson
Sommer K. Dawson (Brock, she/her) is a dedicated servant leader with a passion for improving outcomes for disadvantaged groups. She has worked to fulfill this desire by serving in various fundraising capacities at several nonprofit organizations in southeast Michigan, including the Frankel Jewish Academy, Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Detroit and Cranbrook Educational Community and by providing consulting services. Currently, Sommer serves as Executive Director at Accent Pontiac.
Mrs. Dawson has just completed a term as Immediate-Past–President of the Greater Detroit Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals where she has served in various roles including chair of the National Philanthropy Day committee and vice-chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) committee. In addition, Sommer is a member of the Community-centric Fundraising (CCF) Global Council, former Vice-President of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Governance Committee for Accent Pontiac and a past board member for Identify Your Dream Foundation, Pontiac Community Foundation, and The Art Experience. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Sommer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Oakland University.
Sommer is the founder of No Nonsense Fundraising, LLC which helps to expand the reach and impact of small nonprofits, she is a graduate of Leadership Oakland XXVII (27) and a member of Oakland County Elite 40 under 40 class of 2018. She enjoys spending time with her children, Jacoya, age 22 and Trent Jr., age 10; and traveling with her husband, Trent, Sr.
Sommer has presented fundraising workshops for countless nonprofit organizations and for groups as large as 50. Satisfied workshop clients include Co.act Detroit, Pontiac Funders Collaborative, Micah 6 Community, and Leadership Oakland. Additionally, Sommer has presented for The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Global Conference, AFP ICON in 2021 and 2022.
Rickesh Lakhani
Rickesh (he/him) believes that we are all responsible for each other’s success. He has over 15 years of experience in the social good sector. He recently served as the Executive Director at Future Possibilities for Kids, a charity supporting children in their middle years in the Greater Toronto Area in leading community-serving projects while building confidence, leadership and life skills. Prior to this, Rickesh was the Director, Campaign at United Way York Region, leading an $8M annual fundraising campaign. He is a work in progress. He enjoys time with his family including his 3 sons, camping, bike riding, cooking, playing drums, and engaging on social media.