---
title: RKD GroupThinkers Blog | Tim Kersten
description: "Widely regarded as one of the nation’s top direct response fundraising, strategic and creative talents, Tim Kersten brings more than 40 years of experience to his role as Chairman of RKD Group. Prior to joining RKD, he served as Chief Creative Officer and Executive Creative Director at two national advertising agencies and ran his own successful direct response fundraising consultancy for nearly 25 years. \n
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Some of the nation’s largest and most respected nonprofit organizations that have benefited from Tim’s insightful and persuasive communication strategies include the Smithsonian Institution, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, National Park Foundation, Covenant House, and dozens of others. Tim’s work has been recognized by his receipt of four Direct Marketing Association Echo Awards (gold, leader and two silver from 1986 to 2010) and a prestigious International Caples Award (2010)."
---
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## Tim Kersten
Widely regarded as one of the nation’s top direct response fundraising, strategic and creative talents, Tim Kersten brings more than 40 years of experience to his role as Chairman of RKD Group. Prior to joining RKD, he served as Chief Creative Officer and Executive Creative Director at two national advertising agencies and ran his own successful direct response fundraising consultancy for nearly 25 years.
Some of the nation’s largest and most respected nonprofit organizations that have benefited from Tim’s insightful and persuasive communication strategies include the Smithsonian Institution, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, National Park Foundation, Covenant House, and dozens of others. Tim’s work has been recognized by his receipt of four Direct Marketing Association Echo Awards (gold, leader and two silver from 1986 to 2010) and a prestigious International Caples Award (2010).
## Featured Post
[Lori Collins](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/lori-collins)
## [Why fundraising's record first half doesn't feel like one](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-fundraisings-record-first-half-doesnt-feel-like-one)
Our 2026 Mid-Year Benchmark Report is out, and the top line is genuinely good news: Mid-year revenue reached $1.86 billion—a 10-year high, up 51% over 2\[...\]
[Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/fundraising) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry) [Data & Analytics](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/data-analytics)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-fundraisings-record-first-half-doesnt-feel-like-one)
[Lori Collins](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/lori-collins)
## [Why fundraising's record first half doesn't feel like one](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-fundraisings-record-first-half-doesnt-feel-like-one)
Our 2026 Mid-Year Benchmark Report is out, and the top line is genuinely good news: Mid-year revenue reached $1.86 billion—a 10-year high, up 51% over 2\[...\]
[Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/fundraising) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry) [Data & Analytics](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/data-analytics)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-fundraisings-record-first-half-doesnt-feel-like-one)
## Recent Posts
### Posts by Tim Kersten
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-have-nonprofits-learned-in-2022-its-all-about-the-audience) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [What did nonprofits learn in 2022? It’s all about the audience](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-have-nonprofits-learned-in-2022-its-all-about-the-audience)
It's no exaggeration to say that the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally change...
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/fundraising) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry) [Data & Analytics](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/data-analytics)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-inflation-should-not-stop-you-from-fundraising-success) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [Why inflation should not stop you from fundraising success](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-inflation-should-not-stop-you-from-fundraising-success)
Inflation is back after a 40-year hiatus.
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [Digital Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/digital-fundraising) [Direct Mail Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/direct-mail-fundraising) [Multichannel](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/multichannel) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/philanthropy-can-unite-us-but-nonprofits-must-adapt-to-the-moment) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [Philanthropy can unite us, but nonprofits must adapt to the moment](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/philanthropy-can-unite-us-but-nonprofits-must-adapt-to-the-moment)
Alexis De Tocqueville has always inspired me.
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/how-nonprofits-can-navigate-the-global-supply-chain-crisis) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [How nonprofits can navigate the global supply chain crisis](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/how-nonprofits-can-navigate-the-global-supply-chain-crisis)
Brace yourself for a hard truth: The next few months are going to be a bump...
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [Direct Mail Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/direct-mail-fundraising) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry)
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## [Changes might help USPS, but they’ll hurt nonprofits](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/changes-might-help-usps-but-theyll-hurt-nonprofits)
The nonprofit industry accounts for 10 percent of all mail volume in the U....
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [Direct Mail Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/direct-mail-fundraising) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry) [Postal Service](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/postal-service)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-a-year-what-did-we-learn-in-fundraising) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [What a year! What did we learn in fundraising?](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/what-a-year-what-did-we-learn-in-fundraising)
Life’s most valuable lessons are often learned in the crucible of hardship.
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [Trends](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/trends) [Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/fundraising)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/covid-at-6-months-where-is-nonprofit-fundraising-heading) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [COVID at 6 months: Where is nonprofit fundraising heading?](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/covid-at-6-months-where-is-nonprofit-fundraising-heading)
Can you believe it has been six months?
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [COVID-19](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/covid-19) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-cutting-acquisition-is-a-terrible-idea) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [Why cutting acquisition is a terrible idea](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/why-cutting-acquisition-is-a-terrible-idea)
After 43 years in direct-response fundraising there’s one thing I will neve...
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [COVID-19](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/covid-19) [Direct Mail Fundraising](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/direct-mail-fundraising) [Acquisition](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/acquisition)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/how-nonprofits-are-earning-back-trust-during-covid-19-crisis) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [How nonprofits are earning back trust during COVID-19 crisis](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/how-nonprofits-are-earning-back-trust-during-covid-19-crisis)
Embezzlement crimes. Transparency issues. Lavish spending.
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [COVID-19](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/covid-19) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry)
[Read More](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/economic-stimulus-package-provides-help-for-nonprofits) OR SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
## [Economic stimulus package provides help for nonprofits](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/economic-stimulus-package-provides-help-for-nonprofits)
For decades, nonprofit organizations have stepped in admirably to help fill...
By [Tim Kersten](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/author/tim-kersten) | [COVID-19](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/covid-19) [Nonprofit Industry](https://blog.rkdgroup.com/topic/nonprofit-industry)
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