Kimberly K. Horton, MA, CFRE, President on Influential Women
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Influential Woman · Nonprofit Consulting

Kimberly K. Horton, MA, CFRE

President, The Hodge Group

Dublin, OH 43017

3Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Antioch University Midwest – MA, Conflict Analysis and Engagement Degree Antioch University McGregor – BA, Human Services Administration Degree The Ohio State University – Music Education Cert Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Member GivingUSA Board Member Member Association of Fundraising Professionals (National and Local) Member GivingUSA Editorial Review Board Member Member Women in Christian Leadership – Director of Leadership Academy

Her Story

About Kimberly

Kimberly K. Horton, MA, CFRE, is a nonprofit executive and philanthropic strategist serving as President of The Hodge Group, a boutique consulting firm specializing in fundraising, capital campaigns, strategic planning, and public-private partnerships. With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, she provides senior-level counsel to mid-sized nonprofit organizations, guiding them through complex development initiatives including campaign design, board development, annual fund strategy, and organizational alignment. Her work is grounded in a faith-driven leadership philosophy and a commitment to servant leadership, integrity, and excellence in service delivery.

Throughout her career, Kimberly has held leadership roles across higher education and nonprofit institutions, including positions at United Theological Seminary, Antioch University Midwest, and Edison State Community College, where she focused on institutional advancement and development strategy. She began her professional journey in nonprofit operations and executive support at the Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and later expanded into revenue development with the Food Bank of the Miami Valley. These formative experiences shaped her expertise in governance, donor engagement, and large-scale fundraising operations, ultimately leading her into senior consulting and advisory leadership.

Kimberly holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Engagement and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Administration from Antioch University, and she also completed early studies in Music Education at The Ohio State University. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, as well as a board and editorial review member for GivingUSA. In addition to her professional work, she founded Faith in Bloom Ministry, a volunteer initiative supporting women in recovery through faith-based outreach. Her leadership reflects a deep integration of professional expertise, community service, and a mission-driven commitment to strengthening philanthropic impact.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Kimberly

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my faith, which guides every aspect of my work and decision-making, along with the mentorship I’ve received throughout my career. My education in human services and conflict analysis, combined with years of hands-on experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, has allowed me to serve organizations effectively and with purpose.

02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

One of the biggest opportunities in my field is strengthening how nonprofits integrate public funding with private philanthropy through effective public-private partnerships. There is also a strong opportunity to help organizations identify gaps and build more sustainable fundraising systems.

A key challenge is navigating sector volatility, particularly within higher education and nonprofit environments that experience leadership transitions and shifting funding landscapes, requiring adaptability and strong strategic alignment.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

My faith is absolutely central to everything I do - it guides me in my work and my decisions, and I'm only able to do everything I'm doing by the gifts and glory of God. My day usually starts with prayer for our clients, and I feel a deeper obligation to live into that gift the older I get. I value servant leadership and personally value excellence, which I believe honors my commitment to my Heavenly Father and to the clients we serve. Faith emerged as the foundation of how I approach both my professional responsibilities and my personal life. I had a profound spiritual experience while gardening when I asked the Lord to let me have a garden in heaven, and the message came back: 'my child, if you want to garden for the kingdom, you can start right where you are.' That's how Faith in Bloom got started, and it reflects how I try to live out my faith in practical, meaningful ways.

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