Experience

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  United Way of the Plains

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

  • Vice President of Philanthropy

    • Aug 2023 - Present

    As a member of the United Way of the Plains leadership team, my role as Vice President of Philanthropy encompasses the comprehensive oversight of our organization's fundraising strategy. Leading a dedicated team of six accomplished professionals, we collaborate to successfully raise more than $10 million annually through a multifaceted approach, which includes workplace contributions, foundation grants, corporate affiliations, and individual donations – all aimed at championing our mission.My primary focus lies in the strategic execution of our fundraising efforts. This includes campaign management, nurturing and stewarding connections, and spearheading innovative approaches to actively engage individuals in bolstering our ability to support our community. Through these strategies, we consistently ensure the essential resources necessary for United Way of the Plains to invest in critical programs and services. These initiatives play a pivotal role in advancing the health, education, financial stability, and basic needs for all individuals and families across south central Kansas.

  • Director Of Philanthropy

    • Feb 2022 - Aug 2023

    Oversaw the comprehensive management of fundraising initiatives within the organization. Managing a dedicated team of six individuals, we worked to raise over $10 million each year, leveraging workplace giving, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual contributions to fulfill our mission. In my capacity as Director, I was responsible for the strategic direction of our fundraising efforts, including campaign planning and execution, cultivating relationships, and implementing innovative strategies to engage individuals in supporting our work. Collectively, these efforts ensure the resources necessary to enable United Way of the Plains to invest in vital programs and services that advance the health, education, financial stability, and basic needs for individuals and families in our south central Kansas region.

  • Associate Director of Philanthropy

    • Aug 2021 - Feb 2022

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  Hope Communities

  • Greater Denver Area

  • Manager of Development

    • Nov 2019 - Aug 2021
    • Greater Denver Area

    Led fundraising efforts to secure $1 million+ in revenue annually to support all programs and services for four supportive affordable housing properties in the Denver metropolitan area. Developed strategies and managed all efforts related to individual and major giving, grants (foundation, government and faith-based), corporate partnerships, and fundraising events.Worked closely with the board of directors and board marketing and development committee to implement strategies and establish an ongoing pipeline of individual, corporate and foundation relationships. Developed board cultivation and stewardship plans and provided training and key messaging for community awareness and fundraising.Managed FundraiserSelect database to ensure data integrity through development of procedures, office volunteer management, creation of reports and monthly reconciliation with the accounting department. Worked with the team to develop regular social media posts, ensured the website was up-to-date and oversaw completion of collateral such as the annual report, quarterly e-newsletters, program description sheets and presentations for the community.

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  Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

  • United States
  • Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Senior Manager of Donor Relations

    • Jul 2018 - Nov 2019

    Performed individual and major donor cultivation through meetings, events, correspondence, annual giving solicitation letters and data utilization. Developed and managed strategies for acquiring, retaining, and upgrading individual donors. Supervised Manager of Special Events, overseeing planning and implementation of all fundraising events (annual gala, fun run, beer tasting, etc.) and community/family events (Trick or Treat Street, Earth Day, Noon Year’s Eve). Worked with the Vice President of Development to set and achieve revenue goals, including corporate sponsorship and in-kind donations. Supervised Database Administrator for Blackbaud Altru and evaluated cross-departmental data system needs, including tracking of donors/donations, members/membership sales, admissions, and scheduling. Served as staff liaison with the board fundraising committee to develop prospect pipelines, revenue strategies and increase Board involvement in all raised revenue efforts.

  • Donor Relations Manager

    • Jul 2011 - Jul 2018

    Working with the Children’s Museum CEO, COO and VP of Development, oversaw individual giving efforts for the Museum’s successful four-year $16.3 million capital campaign (completed November 2015). Responsible for donor cultivation, communication and stewardship, contribution timeline and strategy, development of case statement for support, pledge tracking and fund reconciliation. Prepared Museum leadership for visits with high-level donors and major gift prospects. Performed prospect research and generated wealth profiles.Managed annual fundraising campaigns and analyzed campaign results. Tracked cultivation efforts for individual donors and prospects in Blackbaud Altru database. Analyzed membership base and developed creative strategies to increase member participation in fundraising activities. Determined annual revenue budget for individual contributions.

  • Special Projects Manager

    • Sep 2006 - Jul 2011

    Assistant to Children’s Museum President. Duties included drafting correspondence, updating contacts, directing phone calls, scheduling meetings, coordinating meeting logistics, maintaining files, and assisting with special projects. Served as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge fundraising database manager. Supported Development team by maintaining reports for fundraising purposes, inputting and generating thank you letters for donations, grant tracking and generating mailing lists. Supported Children’s Museum board of directors by preparing for monthly board meetings, including arranging and distributing Board information packet, coordinating meeting logistics and preparing meeting minutes. Assisted with strategic planning by preparing minutes, collecting data, creating spreadsheets, and performing research as necessary. Updated and tracked member and volunteer information, including generating retention reports, and assisting the Guest Services team with information tracking procedures.

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  Aponte & Busam Public Affairs

  • Denver, Colorado, United States

  • Office Manager

    • Aug 2005 - Sep 2006
    • Denver, Colorado, United States

    Tracked legislation and prepared matrix reports for clients. Drafted correspondence to be sent to clients and legislators. Coordinated implementation of StateBillInfo.com database. Prepared and filed Small Donor Committee reports with Secretary of State. Coordinated meetings between lobbyists, legislators, and clients. Performed event planning/implementation duties. Managed office technology (phone, data, copy machines, etc.).

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  Red Robin

  • Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States

  • Licensing Specialist

    • May 2003 - Sep 2004
    • Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States

    Corporate Headquarters/Legal DepartmentProcessed and tracked license renewals for more than 650 restaurants nationwide. Communicated with out-of-state attorneys and corporate management to obtain legal documents for licensing matters. Developed a Standard Operating Procedure Manual for license renewals. Coordinated with state government officials and restaurant managers on the filing of licenses and liquor violations. Researched state and municipal ordinances and state legislation related to business licensing.

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  Mile High Chapter, American Red Cross

  • Denver, Colorado, United States

  • Data Entry Clerk

    • Aug 2000 - Jan 2003
    • Denver, Colorado, United States

    Responsible for inputting all contributions and updating donor profiles in the Raiser’s Edge database. Assisted in the implementation, development, and transfer of data to Raiser’s Edge database. Ran database queries and performed imports and exports for direct mail campaigns. Processed and mailed gift acknowledgements. Performed clerical duties including mass mailings, administrative functions and writing thank you letters. Assisted in Raiser’s Edge upgrade process.