Kimberly K. Horton blends faith and nonprofit strategy in Columbus

Kimberly K. Horton, president of The Hodge Group in Columbus, Ohio, is being highlighted for a career built around fundraising, nonprofit leadership and faith-based service. Her work spans consulting, leadership development and community outreach as nonprofits face shifting funding pressures.

Why it matters: - Kimberly K. Horton’s work sits at the center of a difficult nonprofit moment: organizations are facing volatile funding, growing demand for services and pressure to build more durable revenue systems. - Her mix of fundraising, governance, public-private partnership strategy and faith-based leadership reflects the kind of broad support many mid-sized nonprofits now need. - Horton also represents a leadership model that links professional strategy with mentorship, service and community engagement.

What happened: - Influential Women showcased Horton, a Columbus, Ohio-based nonprofit executive and philanthropic strategist. - Horton is president of The Hodge Group, a boutique consulting firm focused on fundraising, capital campaigns, strategic planning and public-private partnerships. - Her career spans more than two decades in nonprofit leadership, higher education advancement and advisory work. - Horton’s profile highlights her faith, philanthropy and purposeful leadership as defining parts of her career.

The details: - The Hodge Group advises mid-sized nonprofit organizations on campaign design, board development, annual fund strategy, organizational alignment and development planning. - Horton began her career in nonprofit operations and executive support at the Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. - She later moved into revenue development at the Food Bank of the Miami Valley. - Her higher-education advancement work included roles at United Theological Seminary, Antioch University Midwest and Edison State Community College. - Horton earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services Administration and a master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Engagement from Antioch University. - She started her studies in Music Education at The Ohio State University. - Horton earned both Antioch degrees while working full time and raising a family. - Horton has held the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential since 2013. - She is active in the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the national and local levels. - Horton serves on the board and editorial review board of GivingUSA. - Through Women in Christian Leadership, she serves as director of the Leadership Academy and wrote the program’s curriculum. - Horton volunteers at Real Life Church in Springboro, Ohio. - She founded Faith in Bloom Ministry, a volunteer initiative that supports women in crisis through faith-based outreach. - Horton is also writing her first book. - More information is available through her Influential Women profile and The Hodge Group.

Between the lines: - Horton’s career path shows how nonprofit fundraising has expanded beyond asking for donations to include strategy, systems and long-term organizational alignment. - Her emphasis on servant leadership and faith suggests a values-driven approach that may resonate with nonprofit boards and community-based organizations. - Her focus on public-private partnerships points to a practical response to unstable government funding and shifting tax policy. - The profile also frames mentorship and leadership development as part of her broader mission, especially for women entering nonprofit development work.

What’s next: - Horton expects public-private partnerships to play a larger role in helping nonprofits manage unpredictable public funding. - She also sees room for strategic guidance around tax law changes that could affect fundraising and philanthropic planning. - Her next steps include continuing consulting work, leadership development, community service and work on her book.

The bottom line: - Horton’s profile presents a nonprofit leader who combines technical fundraising expertise with faith, mentorship and a long-term view of sustainable philanthropy.