Some people make a career. Others build a legacy. Tim Kersten has done both.
For over four decades, Tim has helped organizations raise hundreds of millions of dollars for some of the most meaningful causes on earth. But it’s not just the numbers that make his story remarkable—it’s how he did it. With a pen in hand, a deep understanding of human nature, and a clear vision for leadership, Tim chose to Go Big in the world of nonprofit fundraising—and in the lives of the people he served along the way.
A Calling, Not Just a Career
He didn’t stumble into his career. He was called to it. As a college student at Cal State Fullerton, Tim’s path could’ve taken him to Madison Avenue. But thanks to a professor who introduced him to the idea of marketing for nonprofits—and a magazine article about a man named Russ Reid—Tim saw something different: the chance to use business principles to make a lasting difference. He wanted to apply strategy, creativity, and storytelling to help causes that matter. He found a purpose, and he ran toward it with clarity and conviction.
Crafting Messages That Move People
Tim began his career as a copywriter. His mission was clear: write words so powerful, so honest, and so compelling that people would stop what they were doing, pay attention—and give. Not for him. Not for a paycheck. But for the mission behind the message. For the chance to do something that mattered. And he poured himself into the craft. Letter after letter. Campaign after campaign. Each one an opportunity to capture someone’s attention, stir their heart, and invite them into a bigger story.
Scaling Impact Through Leadership
But Tim didn’t stop there. After decades of award-winning creative work, he was asked to take over a struggling fundraising agency. He said yes—and grew it into what is now RKD Group, a 600-person powerhouse serving more than 500 nonprofit clients. Along the way, he brought the same mindset that shaped his writing: clarity, humility, and a relentless focus on the people being served.
Leadership That Lifts Others
What sets Tim apart isn’t just his results. It’s the way he thinks about leadership. For him, Going Big doesn’t mean taking credit or chasing applause. It means being the kind of leader who listens first, surrounds himself with people who are smarter than him, and uses influence to lift others higher. It means crafting a culture where bold ideas are welcomed, and where service—not ego—is the guiding star.
It’s Always About the Donor
At the heart of everything Tim has done is a simple but powerful belief: everyone is looking for meaning. And great fundraising—like great leadership—isn’t about extracting resources. It’s about inviting people to connect with purpose. It’s about helping people say, “My life matters because I helped make this possible.”
A Model for Going Big
Whether you’re a nonprofit executive, a business leader, a creative, or someone trying to figure out how to make your next chapter count, Tim’s story is a reminder that Going Big is not about noise—it’s about clarity, courage, and conviction. It’s about choosing the path that might feel harder, but leads to deeper impact. It’s about believing that a well-told story can move hearts, change behavior, and ultimately shape the world.
Tim Kersten didn’t just build a business. He built a legacy—one word, one campaign, one cause at a time.
