Experience

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  Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

  • Central Minnesota

  • Central Minnesota Regional Representative

    • Apr 2024 - Present
    • Central Minnesota

• 

  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota

  • United States
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Advancement Director

    • Mar 2022 - Apr 2024

    Leads and supports an Advancement Team of 7 team members. Develops and implements sound strategy and process to lead fund and resource development and communication/marketing efforts. Current operating budget of 1.3 million annually. Inform overall budget decisions, directly responsible for Advancement Team related budgets, reporting and goal setting. As a member of the agency's Leadership Team, proven and effective collaboration with the Executive Director, Program Director and Board of Directors provides a solid foundation for agency sustainability and growth. Communicates mission and vision to public, donors and key stakeholders. Serve youth in 5 counties throughout Central MN.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:- Provide strategy and support to the Donor Engagement Coordinator. This position facilitates the For Kids, Forever campaign with a goal of securing a 10 million dollar endowment, as well as, stewardship of individual donors.- Provide strategy and support to the Database Associate. This positions maintains the agency data base and recently coordinated efforts to migrate the agency's fundraising data from Raiser's Edge to Salesforce.- Provide strategy and support to the Grants Manager. This positions is responsible for securing foundation, corporate, federal, state and local grants. A strong focus on sharing the impact and mission of the agency to ensure growth and stability in grant funding.- Provide strategy and support to the Marketing and Communications Specialist. This position is responsible for agency publications, internal and external communications, promotional materials, volunteer recruitment campaigns and brand integrity. - Directly responsible for corporate relationships including but not limited to corporate funding, volunteer recruitment, sponsorship and employee engagement.

  • Corporate Engagement Manager

    • Jan 2020 - Mar 2022

    Responsible for developing strong corporate funding partnerships by designing plans to achieve targets, create strategies for fostering partner relationships, deliver strategic proposals, and to help diversify our revenue portfolio. This position also plans and executes fundraising events such as Go Big for Kids’ as well as The Big Auction & Raffle. Responsible for driving revenue of $250,000-300,000. Serves as liaison for existing partners, as well as pursuing new client opportunities. Demonstrates internal team leadership while employing an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and results-oriented approach to lead and drive external partnerships that advance our brand, corporate involvement, cultivation, and stewardship.Coordinates a wide range of responsibilities that includes: seeking & securing corporate donations, sponsorships and employee engagement opportunities, maintaining a corporate portfolio which includes actions to cultivate and steward relationships, creating event infrastructure and executing event logistics, and managing volunteers. Is able to anticipate project needs, discern work priorities, and meet deadlines. Has a passion for connecting corporate culture with nonprofit mission, provides outstanding communication to BBBSCM staff, vendors and event participants and volunteers, is an enthusiastic professional, and capable of building strong and positive relationships with donors and partners.

  • Sponsorship and Event Manager

    • Apr 2018 - Jan 2020

    Served as the lead for event planning, revenue generation, management, production and sponsorship. Event planning and production management included, but was not limited to: creating and managing the timeline, program for all BBBSCM hosted events. Lead all event planning and production meetings and discussions. Organized and lead collaboration with the BBBS Advancement Team and volunteer committees on event concept and marketing. Negotiated costs and services with vendors. Recruited volunteers; managed the staff and volunteers working and planning the event. Secured guest speakers and entertainment; reviewed speeches, wrote scripts, coordinated rehearsals and video taping as necessary. Managed on-site production and all aspects of event production. Created event sponsorship packages and lead the solicitation and securing of sponsorships. Exceeded revenue goals. Ensured sponsorship benefits were delivered and sponsors were thanked. Event administration included, but was not limited to: preparing budgets and providing periodic progress reports to staff and board of directors for each event project. Kept track of event budgeting and finances including check requests, invoicing, and reporting. Researched venue options, coordinated appointments, conducted site visits, and scheduled events on the calendar. Prepared and modified event contracts as requested. Managed agency event software (OneCause and Engaging Networks) and CRM software (Raiser's Edge). Supported the Board, Executive Director, and Advancement Director on major gifts work with donors and prospects. Assisted in development of donor-related material. Assisted in other fund development efforts.

  • Volunteer Coordinator

    • Mar 2017 - Mar 2018

    Serve as an integral part of the Program Support Team. Responsible for facilitating information and training sessions, position, placement, retention and recruitment of volunteers. Produce positive outcomes when addressing needs of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), volunteer processing, stakeholder satisfaction and quality ratings in high volunteer retention along with team satisfaction. Communicate BBBS vision, mission and values to the public, donors and key stakeholders. Provide high level service in response to all inquiries and leads with an atmosphere of engagement and motivation. Oversee the Program Support Volunteers. Work closely with Program Team to identify volunteer needs and implements a plan to address the needs. Update, manage and promote volunteer opportunities. Participate in agency events and committees and perform additional tasks assigned by the Executive Director.

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  Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

  • St Cloud, Minnesota, 13 County Region

  • Central Minnesota Regional Coordinator

    • Oct 2013 - Mar 2018
    • St Cloud, Minnesota, 13 County Region

    Serve 13 counties in Central MN. Serve as a liaison and ensure communications between MCN’s St. Paul office and regional nonprofits. Work with Membership and Communications Manager to meet annual nonprofit member recruitment and retention targets for the region. Work with Program Director to identify, plan, publicize and host professional training sessions, workshops, programs and networking activities that reflect the regions interests and needs. Work with Development Manager to maintain relationships with regional funders and fulfill grant requirements. Plan and host the Greater Minnesota Nonprofit Summit; recruit sponsors, presenters and attendees. Respond to local inquiries from members and nonmembers about MCN’s products and services including member services, publications and MCN events. Respond to local members’ technical assistance needs and direct requests to other MCN staff when appropriate. Recruit and facilitate an advisory committee comprised of local nonprofit staff to serve as a liaison to the local community. Recruit and facilitate an advocacy network comprised of individuals who are interested and active in public policy locally, and share identified public policy issues with MCN policy staff. Manage the regional office including maintaining organizational systems (lists of members, records of events, information needed for dissemination systems including mailings and emails), including updating and ensuring accuracy of information on members in database. Produce professional nonprofit communications in the form of emails and letters regarding training workshops, networking events, public policy and member benefits. Help create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals. Work within parameters of MCN’s annual operating budget. Represent MCN in a professional manner to members and visitors at all times. Attend and assist with MCN annual conference, Greater Minnesota Summit and other events as needed.

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  St. Cloud State University

  • St. Cloud, Minnesota

  • Adjunct Faculty

    • Jul 2016 - Dec 2016
    • St. Cloud, Minnesota

    * Course Description: MPA 633 - Partnership, Innovation and Change: : Examines reasons and methods of building and maintaining partnerships as a necessity to serve clientele base, requirements and conditions for innovation and change. (Fall 2016)* Researched and designed course syllabus and curriculum.

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  The NICU Community

  • St Cloud, Minnesota Region

  • Co-Founder

    • May 2010 - Oct 2013
    • St Cloud, Minnesota Region

    * Designed and evaluated organizational structure, management systems and policies.* Recruited and retained qualified board members and volunteers.* Developed and maintained effective mechanisms for fundraising and grant submission, public relations and community involvement. * Developed comprehensive plan for dissolution of The NICU Community.

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  Barnes and Noble

  • St. Cloud, Minnesota Region

  • Community Relations Manager

    • Jan 2004 - Mar 2007
    • St. Cloud, Minnesota Region

    * Developed and executed an effective, results oriented Community Relations Program, designed to maximize sales growth and increase customer traffic through community involvement and outreach.* Designed programs and events, which reflected our commitment to our customers and our community.* Promoted store growth and increased corporate and institutional sales by actively pursuing and cultivating relationships within the community.* Effectively managed a budget dedicated to the Community Relations Program and completed reports for regional and corporate offices.