“As a member of society, you have a responsibility to help individuals address their special needs in the sunrise, sunset and twilight of their lives.” This was the charge given to Davoren Tempel by her father as she entered young adulthood. Her parents, both educators, placed a high value on academics and service to society. Davoren has taken up their mantle and invested over 35 years of her time and talents in service to others.
Years working as a volunteer with the Kansas City Junior League taught her much about fundraising: making solicitations, writing grants and acquiring campaign and volunteer management skills.
She served as committee chairperson for the Children’s Place, establishing that organization’s foundation. Her first professional fundraising position was Vice President of Residential Services for John Knox Village. There, Davoren used her expertise to create their foundation and also assisted in raising $14 million for new construction and endowment.
“I believe philanthropy starts with a gift of time which can progress to leadership and culminate in a financial commitment.” During her years as Vice President of Resource Development at Children’s Mercy Hospital, she helped raise over $300 million, managed a team of 4,000 volunteers and oversaw their signature event for 15 years—a Golf Classic hosted by golf champion, Tom Watson.
Davoren understands how a vibrant volunteer program can be an untapped resource for nonprofits. Volunteers may begin with a donation of time, but with the right strategies and management, they can move quickly from gifts of time to gifts of treasure.
While at Children’s Mercy, Davoren established the Don Chisholm Planned Gift Council—an advisory council of attorneys and estate planners. She also was named one of the hospital’s 2007 Heroes in Healthcare, an INGRAM’S Lifetime Service award.
She received her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from the University of Missouri and attended graduate school at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Davoren is a member of the Greater Kansas City Council on Philanthropy and 1997 Fundraiser of the Year; the Association of Fundraising Professionals; Kansas City Junior League; Lexington Community Choir and serves as a Trustee for Friends of Arrow Rock, a nonprofit organization guarding Missouri’s heritage through historic preservation.
Davoren stays busy as an avid volunteer and Kinetic Companies’ Executive Vice President. She not only actively supports historic preservation, but she and her husband, Bill, reside in a home in Lexington, Missouri built in the 1840s.
