Gary Dembs
President, Founder and Philanthropic Entrepreneur | Non-Profit Personnel Network
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award
Nominated by Mondo Unlimited
Gary Dembs has been working in the philanthropic sector for over 35 years. He founded the Non-Profit Personnel Network (NPPN) after a successful 21 year career in public relations and broadcasting. He has been a pioneer in combining highly effective organizational development, human resources, fund raising and volunteer management strategies for organizations, companies and institutions nationwide.
Gary is mission-driven, a community activist, and works to empower organizations to take an integrated, cross-sector approach on the staff and board levels to further the missions of the non-profits he consults with.
Gary received his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University. In 2008 he was inducted into the WMU School of Communications Outstanding Alumni Academy in recognition of excellence in his professional accomplishments and civic service. He was also a former radio news and sports reporter in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, MI.
Gary’s Professional Involvement Includes:
Graduate, Leadership Detroit (Class XXX)
- Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Detroit Chapter (Two-Term Board President)
- AFP Greater Detroit Chapter-National Philanthropy Day, Founding Committee and 30+ year involvement
- Crain’s Detroit Business – Judge: Best Managed Non-Profit Contest (Since its Inception)
- Network of Non-Profit Search Consultants (Former International Board Chair) NNSC.org
- Michigan Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (Board Member)
- Greater Detroit Non-Profit PR Network (First President)
- Planned Giving Roundtable of Southeast Michigan (Member & Sponsor)
Gary’s Community Involvement Includes:
- Council of Michigan Foundations (Member; Sponsor/Mentorship Program)
- Common Ground (Former Board Chair)
- Forgotten Harvest (Founding Board Member)
- Social Enterprise Alliance of Michigan (Past Board Member)
- Spaulding for Children (Past President)
- Yad Ezra (Founding Board Member, First President)
- Michigan Committee for World Food Day (Past Board Chair)
- Bob Bauer’s Marathon for Meals (Co-Creator) Winner-Metro Music Award
- Food Bank of Oakland County (Past Board Member)
- Co.act Detroit-Moderator-Corporate Social Responsibility Series
- Michigan Nonprofit Association-Member
- Host-WDIV TV Public Affairs Program "Open Doors"
Additionally, Gary has taught fundraising and marketing for non-profits at Wayne State University in Detroit and is a regular presenter at conferences and seminars nationwide.