Cynthia McChesney
Missioner for Stewardship and Legacy Giving at The Episcopal Diocese of Newark- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Bonnie-Lynn Nadzeika
I learned so much from Cynthia when we worked together at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. She has a wide breadth of knowledge on fundraising. She has spoken twice to a class I teach at Seton Hall University, Museum Fundraising Fundamentals. Cynthia talks to the students about bequests and planned giving and they get so much from her. They are wary of the topic, but she presents it in such a way that is not at all morbid, but demonstrates the benefit for non profit organizations and the individuals creating the bequest. She speaks with such compassion about the topic, sharing her personal and professional experiences, that they leave class really understanding the subject.
Michael T. Driscoll
Cynthia is a highly competent person and an excellent fundraiser. She is intelligent, insightful, always prepared, well-spoken, witty, very personable, and I often confer with her on some of the most complicated situations. She is top-flight in every way.
Bonnie-Lynn Nadzeika
I learned so much from Cynthia when we worked together at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. She has a wide breadth of knowledge on fundraising. She has spoken twice to a class I teach at Seton Hall University, Museum Fundraising Fundamentals. Cynthia talks to the students about bequests and planned giving and they get so much from her. They are wary of the topic, but she presents it in such a way that is not at all morbid, but demonstrates the benefit for non profit organizations and the individuals creating the bequest. She speaks with such compassion about the topic, sharing her personal and professional experiences, that they leave class really understanding the subject.
Michael T. Driscoll
Cynthia is a highly competent person and an excellent fundraiser. She is intelligent, insightful, always prepared, well-spoken, witty, very personable, and I often confer with her on some of the most complicated situations. She is top-flight in every way.
Bonnie-Lynn Nadzeika
I learned so much from Cynthia when we worked together at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. She has a wide breadth of knowledge on fundraising. She has spoken twice to a class I teach at Seton Hall University, Museum Fundraising Fundamentals. Cynthia talks to the students about bequests and planned giving and they get so much from her. They are wary of the topic, but she presents it in such a way that is not at all morbid, but demonstrates the benefit for non profit organizations and the individuals creating the bequest. She speaks with such compassion about the topic, sharing her personal and professional experiences, that they leave class really understanding the subject.
Michael T. Driscoll
Cynthia is a highly competent person and an excellent fundraiser. She is intelligent, insightful, always prepared, well-spoken, witty, very personable, and I often confer with her on some of the most complicated situations. She is top-flight in every way.
Bonnie-Lynn Nadzeika
I learned so much from Cynthia when we worked together at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. She has a wide breadth of knowledge on fundraising. She has spoken twice to a class I teach at Seton Hall University, Museum Fundraising Fundamentals. Cynthia talks to the students about bequests and planned giving and they get so much from her. They are wary of the topic, but she presents it in such a way that is not at all morbid, but demonstrates the benefit for non profit organizations and the individuals creating the bequest. She speaks with such compassion about the topic, sharing her personal and professional experiences, that they leave class really understanding the subject.
Michael T. Driscoll
Cynthia is a highly competent person and an excellent fundraiser. She is intelligent, insightful, always prepared, well-spoken, witty, very personable, and I often confer with her on some of the most complicated situations. She is top-flight in every way.
Credentials
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Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning: Digital Storytelling
CourseraMar, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
The Importance of Listening
Coursera Course CertificatesJul, 2016- Nov, 2024 -
What is Social?
Coursera Course CertificatesMay, 2016- Nov, 2024
Experience
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The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
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United States
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Religious Institutions
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1 - 100 Employee
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Missioner for Stewardship and Legacy Giving
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Jul 2017 - Present
Launched Leadership Giving Program to provide Diocese with sustainable source of revenue. Developed funding rationale; goals; campaign story; prospect list, funding model. Created complement of backup campaign materials for use on demand. Built momentum through series of stakeholder visits. Manage ongoing Annual Appeal for outreach program. Member of Diocesan Program Team. Provide solicitation training. Launched Leadership Giving Program to provide Diocese with sustainable source of revenue. Developed funding rationale; goals; campaign story; prospect list, funding model. Created complement of backup campaign materials for use on demand. Built momentum through series of stakeholder visits. Manage ongoing Annual Appeal for outreach program. Member of Diocesan Program Team. Provide solicitation training.
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Matins Advisory
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Summit
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Principal
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Jul 2017 - Dec 2019
Consulting services to nonprofits, including step-by-step development of leadership giving society, major gift solicitation training, planned giving and board development training. Launched leadership giving society at Episcopal Diocese of Newark; manage annual appeal process; major gifts and planned giving solicitation. Working with small team of volunteers, provide fundraising consultation to Episcopal congregations throughout northern NJ. Consulting services to nonprofits, including step-by-step development of leadership giving society, major gift solicitation training, planned giving and board development training. Launched leadership giving society at Episcopal Diocese of Newark; manage annual appeal process; major gifts and planned giving solicitation. Working with small team of volunteers, provide fundraising consultation to Episcopal congregations throughout northern NJ.
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Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
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United States
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Development and Marketing
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Jul 2014 - Jul 2017
Direct activities related to the organization’s contributed income including individual contributions, public and private grants, sponsorships, donor relations and stewardship and the identification and solicitation of major corporate and individual gifts in order to reach annual and long range fundraising goals. Oversee and manage special event activities which serve development goals. Direct and manage communications and marketing activities that directlyi mpact organization's earned income through studio school. Supervise a strong and cohesive team of three professionals responsible for fundraising, membership & special events, grants, communications & marketing - including social media.The non-profit Art Center is a nine studio art school with three interior galleries and an outdoor exhibition space. The Art Center is the largest of the state's regional art centers devoted exclusively to contemporary art through studio classes, workshops, special programs, and exhibitions. Show less
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Interim Executive Director
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Oct 2014 - Mar 2015
Responsible for overall operations of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, a 501C(3) organization comprised of studio school, non-collecting galleries, and broad array of exhibition-related programming, events and community programs. Principal responsibilities include development and implementation of a comprehensive program in the visual arts, strong financial planning and fundraising ability, and the development and enhancement of positive board, staff, and community relations.
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Rutgers University Foundation
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United States
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Higher Education
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100 - 200 Employee
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Senior Director Of Development
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Jul 2011 - Jun 2014
Responsible for fundraising activities supporting New Jersey Medical School. Note: Rutgers University acquired the University of Medicine and Dentistry UMDNJ in 2013. My responsibilities as director of development for the medical school were largely unchanged by the merger. • Created strong relationships with grant-making organizations, corporations, community leaders. Monthly, oversaw submission of an average of three grant proposals per month. • Solicited and closed major gifts from individuals, alumni, corporations, and foundations to fund academic programs, scholarships, and community programs. Designed and executing campaigns to raise major gifts to support endowed chairs opportunity at medical school, and endowed scholarships/lectureships within Rutgers’ $1B capital campaign. • Expanded fundraising for several after-school enrichment programs for Newark youth from NJ corporations and foundations including PSE&G, Prudential, Victoria Foundation. Show less
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Kean University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Sr. Development Officer/Director of Major Gifts
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Jul 2004 - Jun 2011
Increased philanthropic support by communicating compelling vision of organization’s future; identified and maintained personal portfolio of prospects; and served as liaison to administration, foundation and university leadership and colleagues, department chairs, center directors and faculty. Developed and closed major gifts – defined as $25,000 to $100,000+. Worked to develop culture of philanthropic giving and exceed fundraising goals by building long-term donor relationships with individuals and foundations. Managed portfolio of prospects capable of making gifts $25,000 and higher. Worked closely with development committees and Board to cultivate and steward diverse array of donors. Designed and implemented individual cultivation and solicitation strategies for donors. Utilized diverse planned giving vehicles. Show less
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Meredith Corporation
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United States
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Book and Periodical Publishing
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700 & Above Employee
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Managing Director, Marketing and Business Development
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2000 - 2002
Managing Director of Custom Publishing Division, responsible for supporting sales efforts **Managed team of professionals including art director, writer, editor, event planner **Collaborated with Research arm to develop strategic plans for custom publishing group - used "client-centered approach to position group consulatively **Re-engineered sales support process, enabling sales professionals to customize templated marketing and sales materials, far improving efficiencies. **Project-managed client proposals and presentations. Developed unit's markeitng materials. Show less
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The Company.
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United States
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Advertising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Vice President, Marketing and Business Development
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Jan 1996 - May 2000
Managed new business efforts for fast-growing agency. Managed new business efforts for fast-growing agency.
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Education
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University of Michigan
BA, English -
Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, IL
Community
