Bruce Eberle -  Former Guest Speaker at the Leadership Institute

Bruce and his wife, Kathi, started what became the Eberle Communications Group (ECG) in 1974.  What began as one agency, now includes Fund Raising Strategies, Eberle Associates, Campaign Funding Direct, Omega List Company and Next Step Philanthropy.  Eberle Associates raises funds for legal action, and advocacy groups.  Fund Raising Strategies raises funds for patriotic and historic sites, troop and veterans groups, exotic and equine animal sanctuaries, as well as Christian relief groups.  


Since its founding, ECG has raised more than $1 billion for its clients.  It annually raises in excess of $50 million for its more than 40 national clients. Some of the more noteworthy clients of ECG include Citizens for Reagan, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Mount Vernon, Gettysburg Foundation, AdoptaPlatoon, and most recently, the National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee.  


Under Bruce's leadership, the agencies of the Eberle Communications group have received numerous regional, national, and international awards for excellence in direct mail fund raising.  Most rewarding of all is the fulfillment of the company motto, “Turning Dreams into Reality.”  As Bruce says, “Some wonderful individuals have come to ECG with very limited financial resources, but a big dream and we have helped them realize that dream.  That’s our goal, to help visionary leaders realize their dream.”


Bruce is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Direct Marketing Association of Washington and currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Free Speech Foundation, an association that champions the rights of non-profit organizations through legislative and legal action. Bruce is the author of Conservative Direct Mail Fund Raising (in English and Spanish), Nonprofit Direct Mail Fund Raising, and numerous other publications focused on fund raising.


In addition to his professional responsibilities, Bruce serves as a Trustee of Joe Gibbs' Youth For Tomorrow New Life Foundation, and as Vice President of Time of Grace ministry. He also served four terms on the Board of Regents of Wisconsin Lutheran College. He has previously served as President of God's Word to the Nations Bible Society. Bruce gave the 1994 commencement address at Wisconsin Lutheran College and was given the 1994 Pro Gloria Dei Award at the commencement ceremony. In 2000 he received the Nehemiah award for leadership from Youth for Tomorrow.
Bruce has been involved in the conservative movement for five decades, beginning in 1963 when he joined Young Americans for Freedom. He served several terms on the national board of directors of YAF and has been an advisor to many other groups and candidates over the years.


Bruce is a graduate of the University of Missouri, and a veteran. He and his wife Kathi have two children, Elizabeth and Matthew.  They also have three grandsons who are the delight of their life.

 

Bruce Eberle