Strategic Planning … Fundraising … Donor Relations … Program Management

Posted on: 2018-05-02

Over 15 years fundraising experience working with a broad range of corporations, nonprofits, foundations and individual donors. Highly motivated, organized and knowledgeable of the development landscape, and focused on maximizing organization presence.

Strengths include developing rapport and support at all organization levels and with diverse constituencies, collaboration and creativity in solving problems and in capitalizing on opportunities, and complex project management. Outgoing and energetic, with a strong commitment to success.

UNCF                                                                                                                                          2016-present

Area Development Director

• Responsible for establishing short and long range fundraising goals and conducting long-term strategic planning to diversify fundraising activities with an emphasis on annual giving, major gifts, workplace giving initiatives and special events that support the 37 UNCF member institutions for the Chicago market.
• Plan and implement campaign strategies consistent with UNCF national action plans and policies.
• Manage and recruit volunteers for UNCF Leadership Council and Chicago Inter-Alumni Council.
• Serve as ambassador for UNCF, engaging donors and leveraging key relationships to ensure that revenue goals are met.
• Supervise administrative staff and Director of Development.

BY THE HAND CLUB FOR KIDS                                                                                                    2013-2016

Senior Manager of Fund Development

• Senior Manager on development team responsible for soliciting $7.4 million in annual revenue.
• Directed corporate and foundation relations and giving resulting in $1.7 million.
• Collaborated with Executive Director, and Senior Managers to develop fundraising strategy.
• Cultivated external partnerships with corporations to engage in volunteer and matching gift opportunities.
• Managed preparation and submission of all Grant applications and proposals resulting in 85% approvals.
• Designed and executed solicitation presentations to corporate executives, foundation managers and high net worth individuals.

ACE TECH CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL                                                                                                 2010-2013

Director of Development                                                                                                                   

• Responsible for establishing and implementing school-wide development goals and strategies. Key strategies include solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship of major gift donors and corporate partners.
• Managed portfolio of major gifts prospects.
• Expanded support base by more than 30%.
• Planned and implemented individual, direct mail, phone and personal solicitation initiatives.Initiated and built relationships with past, current and prospective donors.
• Responsible for the overall management of fundraising database including prospect research, gift processing, donor reporting, and supervision of Associate Development Director. Strengthened procedures, processes and reporting.
• Successfully wrote grants/proposals for sponsorships, in-kind gifts, program support, and funding of general operations. Secured grants from Peoples Gas, Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Tribune, Fry Foundation.
• Prepared and distributed press releases to promote Fall student enrollment, recruitment, upcoming events, and notable successes and achievements.
• Planned and executed fundraising and donor cultivation events including gala kick off receptions, dinner galas, spring jazz jam, and monthly cultivation events.
• Increased visibility through radio, newspaper, cultivation events by 100%. 

LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, ILLINOIS CHAPTER                                                                                  2009

Director of Development

• Executed strategic development and fundraising initiatives, resulting in $450,000 within seven months.
• Collaborated with the Board of Directors Development Committee and event sub-committees, responsible for the orchestration of special events that contributed to reaching the fundraising goals established and approved by the Board of Directors.
• Convened regional fundraising committees, recruited volunteers, and secured vendors for successful execution of the Fall “Walk Now for Lupus” Events.
• Identified and recruited board of director candidates, which resulted in addition of two new board members.
• Led the Annual Membership Drive.

LEAP LEARNING SYSTEMS                                                                                                                2005-2009

Director of Business Development

• Planned and implemented fundraising and new business development strategies in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Successfully met all deliverables through disciplined planning, program design, relationship development, facilitating fundraisers/events and promotions, and overall program management.
• Responsible for aspects of program administration including budget, forecasting, accounting, sales and marketing materials/collaterals, preparation of financial and management reports.
• Effectively located, secured and wrote grant proposals and negotiated contracts with donors for major gifts, corporate donations and grant funding.
• Researched potential donors, and prepared and made presentations, and developed new business proposals for partners following through with reports and ongoing communications for continued program momentum.

CNA INSURANCE                                                                                                                             2001-2005

Senior Operations Analyst

• Lead role in IT Special Projects planning, monitoring, reporting and corrective actions.
• Directed team activities from needs assessment through development, change management and resource allocation.
• Facilitated weekly status meetings in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
• Strong focus on team building and knowledge transfer, coupled with staff incentives and periodic events to build and maintain employee morale.

OLIVE BRANCH MISSION                                                                                                                 1999-2001

Development Assistant

• Dual reporting to VP-Development and President of Olive Branch Mission.
• Researched, targeted and cultivated potential donors and volunteers by issue, e.g., education, homelessness, hunger and substance recovery. Increased volunteerism and Mission service offerings by 50%.
• Planned, organized and implemented numerous fundraising events to increase exposure and donations across a wide range of constituents and communities.
• Obtained $300,000 in new funding by successfully soliciting gifts and grants from foundations, corporations, governmental agencies and individual donors.

CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY                                                                                                               1988-1994

 Director of Business Development / Contract Training

• Revitalized the academic marketing program for 30% increase in programs and 50% increase in participation in a single year, and increased Contract Training Program revenues from $28K to over $700K in 5 years.
• Conceptualized, designed, implemented and managed recruitment database for Community Leadership Development Program resulting in an efficient and accurate accounting of current and prospective students.
• Facilitated the “Motivational Series” training seminars with the Community Leadership Development Program.
• Created, developed and facilitated credit and non-credit Professional Development Programs to employers in the public and private sectors resulting in over 100 courses offered consistently each semester.
• Recruited and developed professional development programs for the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Teachers Union, Lakeside VA Hospital, UAW Ford, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Park District and Chicago Consortium of Colleges and Universities, resulting in the renewal of contracts each semester, and a consistently increased the participant base. 

EDUCATION

Chicago State University

Bachelor of Sciencein Business Administration/Management

Graduate work in Urban Planning and Community Development

WORKSHOPS

Building Strategic Relationships with Corporations and Foundations

Donors Forum/Briefing

Ethics in Philanthropy.

Curriculum for Center for Non-Profit Success – Facilitated: Cultivating Relationships with Grantor after Rejection

GoodCity – Facilitated: Keys to Raising Funds Non Profit Essentials

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Past Member, Association of Fundraising Professionals

Past Member, Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy

Chicago Chapter, Association of Black Women in Higher Education

Past Member, LaRabida Children’s Hospital Professional Women in Support Board

Past-President, Chicago Urban League Women’s Board

Advisory Board, American Chamber Opera