Victoria County United Way Breaks Record - Clifford Grimes, A Profile In Leadership

Online, June 2, 2013 (Newswire.com) - At 47, Clifford Grimes has an impressive list of accomplishments having served several United Ways in communities throughout the United States. He has held senior level positions in grant administration and oversight, community initiatives, fundraising, relationship management and strategic planning. On June 1, 2009 he assumed responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria County United Way in Victoria, Texas. Reporting to the Board of Directors, Mr. Grimes leads organizational development, volunteer and donor relationships, revenue growth, talent development and management, community investment, and coalition building.

In his own words, his biggest accomplishment is "helping communities do more together than we could ever do individually. That's the goal of every United Way, to involve every sector in the community to address challenges we face for the common good of everyone".

When Mr. Grimes took over four years ago, he was asked about someday raising $1 million during the annual fund drive.

He replied cautiously, taking a wait-and-see approach. "One million dollars sounds nice. We'll see what we can do," Grimes said in the May 2009 interview. That day has arrived.

The Victoria County United Way broke the $1 million mark for the first time in its history by raising $1,016,516. "The true heart and soul of this campaign has been the volunteers, said Grimes. Whether it was the individuals helping to run company campaigns or the many community leaders serving in leadership roles, none of this would be possible without their tremendous support and dedication. Considering this is United Way's 65th year serving the Victoria County community, this is an amazing achievement."

During the campaign, United Way implemented new strategies that lead to the campaign's success. "Our fundraising goal this year was $926,000," said Clifford Grimes. "The team focused their efforts to provide outstanding customer support to the Chairman's Circle Companies; educate donors about the impact of their gift in Victoria County and starting new campaigns to target businesses of all sizes that have never conducted a United Way campaign. The new strategies combined with Caterpillar's gift of $25,000 propelled United Way not only to hit our campaign goal, but to reach the million dollar mark in three years, beating the long term goal of achieving one million dollar campaign in five years."

Key highlights of this year's campaign include:

• The Chairmen's Circle (Top 26) accounts contributed $821,636 - 81% of the campaign total - 7% increases over last year for $55,636 new dollars.
• Expanded the Base, remaining companies contributed $194,544 - 19% of the campaign total - 22% increase over last year for $34,444 new dollars.
• Inaugural campaigns at KBR, Keen Transport, C&M Enterprises, Centric Group, CoBank, Fluor Foundation, and Securities America.

His Leadership Profile
As the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Grimes is responsible for providing leadership and guiding organizational development, volunteer/donor relations, revenue growth strategies, talent management, community investment, and coalition building by effectively leading the Executive Committee and Board in visioning/achieving four strategic goals: (1) Create an environment of winning, were success is expected, (2) Build lifelong relationships with every sector in our community, (3) Improve internal operations and (4) Position the Victoria County United Way as a major philanthropic player in the "Crossroads" community.

He served the United Way of Central Carolinas from 2003 to 2009 and was appointed Senior Vice President Community Building in December 2007. Mr. Grimes was responsible for the regional investment of United Way campaign dollars to programs/agencies to advance the "the common good" of Central Carolina communities. Departments and initiatives under his leadership include Community Investments, 211, Volunteer Center, Public Policy, Planning, Research, Emergency Food & Shelter Program, Leading the Way, Focus Area and Strategic Grants and other business lines/efforts.

From March 2003 to November 2007 he served as the Vice President of Operations planning and managing the operational aspects of a multi-million dollar annual United Way campaign. Duties involved directing and managing cross-functional initiatives emanating from the annual Resource Development and United Way of Central Carolinas Strategic Plan, continuous improvements, and interdepartmental integration of Resource Development systems, products and services in support of revenue generation and volunteer growth in support of a $45 million dollar campaign.

He is a skilled fundraiser and has experience in strategic planning, program development, personnel management, volunteer and staff recruitment and development, budgeting, research, project management, fund distribution, government relations, special events planning and conflict resolution. He has received numerous awards and honors from governmental and non-profit organizations.

Clifford earned his bachelor's degree in Sociology and a minor in Economics from Indiana State University. He is a former United Way Worldwide & Annie E. Casey Foundation Fellow at Harvard University's, John F. Kennedy School of Government; has chaired and sat on the Boards of Directors of numerous organizations.

His Favorite Quote
I often reflect on quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr., in one of his last sermons, he reflected on what he wanted for our country..."I want you to be first in love. I want you to be first in moral excellence. I want you to be first in generosity. If you want to be important, wonderful. If you want to be great, wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant." To me, putting others before yourself is what leadership is all about. History has shown us time and time again that some would be great leaders fall short because they failed to put their community and colleagues first and their personal ambitions last.

Zodiac Sign
I'm a Taurus. So I'm driven, I tend to act with a sense of urgency. Individuals close to me know that I'm impatient. I sweat the details knowing that consistently doing what is right will result in huge success.

To Get On His Bad Side
In today's world, people use the word "friend" too loosely. For me I have three circles...family, close friends and acquaintances. For family and friends, I have a set of expectations and they have the same for me. We talk frequently, we return each other's phone calls and text messages. Not two days or a week or a month from the first call. We either pick up or if we can't at that moment, within the hour we make the connection. The point is, we are respectful of one another, were loyal and we don't take our time together for granted. Some friends have been moved to the acquaintance circle because they don't take the relationship seriously. There are 24 hours, 1,440 minutes and 518,400 seconds in a day, communication is instantaneous...when a friend needs me, I make the time and I expect the same in return.

To Stay On His Good Side
That easy, be honest.

What's Next
Here is the best part about working for United Way, I see your gifts at work every day, I see the thanks on peoples' faces that you may never get to meet but who are so appreciative of your support. I see the best in our community. That is what makes my days complete. That is what drives to get up and go to work. I'm blessed and the future is great.