Ruth Decalo
Fundraising and Communications Specialist at Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Sigma Chang
Usually it's quite difficult, and in most cases insulting, to describe a person in a word, but in Ruth's case it is neither. The time I spent with Ruth in the Peace Corps made her synonymous with energy. Ruth and I were assigned to work in the same community in the Republic of Georgia, and I was always awed by and sometime jealous of the ease in which people seemed to just coalesce around her. Our relationship could easily have been much more competitive, if not confrontational, had she not charmed me as well. Her indefatigable reserve of energy served her well on the many projects she managed. I can't imagine a place where the circumstances were more trying. Georgia on the eve of political crisis and armed conflict was not exactly a place that was conducive to promoting democracy. Still her expertise in public policy and program management was indispensable for the many projects she managed and for which she won grants. Getting bogged down in the nuts and bolts of the many activities she was responsible for in Georgia would be easy, but simply put, Ruth is a force. It's hard to have any regrets when it comes to Ruth. The only one I hold is that we did not complete service together. It is a testament to her character and devotion to her work that she elected to stay in Georgia after Peace Corps evacuated the program. It would be expected that a person who could so easily be described in a word, would also be highly specialized, but I can honestly say that Ruth will more than exceed expectations in anything she does.
Paul Golin
Ruth is a gifted writer, diligent worker, and brilliantly funny human being who I would describe as having that rare combination of being both sane and wondrous. She is a seasoned presenter and trainer who can share knowledge in a clear, concise, and deeply engaging manner. She is also a creative thinker with a wide universe of interests that inform her outlook. Plus, she's a kindhearted person, which makes her a joy to collaborate with. There's very little I wouldn't recommend Ruth for; maybe roadwork or bricklaying. Probably not professional basketball either. But anything else, YES.
Sigma Chang
Usually it's quite difficult, and in most cases insulting, to describe a person in a word, but in Ruth's case it is neither. The time I spent with Ruth in the Peace Corps made her synonymous with energy. Ruth and I were assigned to work in the same community in the Republic of Georgia, and I was always awed by and sometime jealous of the ease in which people seemed to just coalesce around her. Our relationship could easily have been much more competitive, if not confrontational, had she not charmed me as well. Her indefatigable reserve of energy served her well on the many projects she managed. I can't imagine a place where the circumstances were more trying. Georgia on the eve of political crisis and armed conflict was not exactly a place that was conducive to promoting democracy. Still her expertise in public policy and program management was indispensable for the many projects she managed and for which she won grants. Getting bogged down in the nuts and bolts of the many activities she was responsible for in Georgia would be easy, but simply put, Ruth is a force. It's hard to have any regrets when it comes to Ruth. The only one I hold is that we did not complete service together. It is a testament to her character and devotion to her work that she elected to stay in Georgia after Peace Corps evacuated the program. It would be expected that a person who could so easily be described in a word, would also be highly specialized, but I can honestly say that Ruth will more than exceed expectations in anything she does.
Paul Golin
Ruth is a gifted writer, diligent worker, and brilliantly funny human being who I would describe as having that rare combination of being both sane and wondrous. She is a seasoned presenter and trainer who can share knowledge in a clear, concise, and deeply engaging manner. She is also a creative thinker with a wide universe of interests that inform her outlook. Plus, she's a kindhearted person, which makes her a joy to collaborate with. There's very little I wouldn't recommend Ruth for; maybe roadwork or bricklaying. Probably not professional basketball either. But anything else, YES.
Sigma Chang
Usually it's quite difficult, and in most cases insulting, to describe a person in a word, but in Ruth's case it is neither. The time I spent with Ruth in the Peace Corps made her synonymous with energy. Ruth and I were assigned to work in the same community in the Republic of Georgia, and I was always awed by and sometime jealous of the ease in which people seemed to just coalesce around her. Our relationship could easily have been much more competitive, if not confrontational, had she not charmed me as well. Her indefatigable reserve of energy served her well on the many projects she managed. I can't imagine a place where the circumstances were more trying. Georgia on the eve of political crisis and armed conflict was not exactly a place that was conducive to promoting democracy. Still her expertise in public policy and program management was indispensable for the many projects she managed and for which she won grants. Getting bogged down in the nuts and bolts of the many activities she was responsible for in Georgia would be easy, but simply put, Ruth is a force. It's hard to have any regrets when it comes to Ruth. The only one I hold is that we did not complete service together. It is a testament to her character and devotion to her work that she elected to stay in Georgia after Peace Corps evacuated the program. It would be expected that a person who could so easily be described in a word, would also be highly specialized, but I can honestly say that Ruth will more than exceed expectations in anything she does.
Paul Golin
Ruth is a gifted writer, diligent worker, and brilliantly funny human being who I would describe as having that rare combination of being both sane and wondrous. She is a seasoned presenter and trainer who can share knowledge in a clear, concise, and deeply engaging manner. She is also a creative thinker with a wide universe of interests that inform her outlook. Plus, she's a kindhearted person, which makes her a joy to collaborate with. There's very little I wouldn't recommend Ruth for; maybe roadwork or bricklaying. Probably not professional basketball either. But anything else, YES.
Sigma Chang
Usually it's quite difficult, and in most cases insulting, to describe a person in a word, but in Ruth's case it is neither. The time I spent with Ruth in the Peace Corps made her synonymous with energy. Ruth and I were assigned to work in the same community in the Republic of Georgia, and I was always awed by and sometime jealous of the ease in which people seemed to just coalesce around her. Our relationship could easily have been much more competitive, if not confrontational, had she not charmed me as well. Her indefatigable reserve of energy served her well on the many projects she managed. I can't imagine a place where the circumstances were more trying. Georgia on the eve of political crisis and armed conflict was not exactly a place that was conducive to promoting democracy. Still her expertise in public policy and program management was indispensable for the many projects she managed and for which she won grants. Getting bogged down in the nuts and bolts of the many activities she was responsible for in Georgia would be easy, but simply put, Ruth is a force. It's hard to have any regrets when it comes to Ruth. The only one I hold is that we did not complete service together. It is a testament to her character and devotion to her work that she elected to stay in Georgia after Peace Corps evacuated the program. It would be expected that a person who could so easily be described in a word, would also be highly specialized, but I can honestly say that Ruth will more than exceed expectations in anything she does.
Paul Golin
Ruth is a gifted writer, diligent worker, and brilliantly funny human being who I would describe as having that rare combination of being both sane and wondrous. She is a seasoned presenter and trainer who can share knowledge in a clear, concise, and deeply engaging manner. She is also a creative thinker with a wide universe of interests that inform her outlook. Plus, she's a kindhearted person, which makes her a joy to collaborate with. There's very little I wouldn't recommend Ruth for; maybe roadwork or bricklaying. Probably not professional basketball either. But anything else, YES.
Experience
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Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Fundraising and Communications Specialist
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Jun 2022 - Present
JPNDC’s mission is to transform the lives and amplify the voices of Boston residents who have been excluded from prosperity by an inequitable economic system. We develop affordable housing that allows people to thrive, provide services that help people build on their strengths, and organize people to pursue the changes they desire. JPNDC’s mission is to transform the lives and amplify the voices of Boston residents who have been excluded from prosperity by an inequitable economic system. We develop affordable housing that allows people to thrive, provide services that help people build on their strengths, and organize people to pursue the changes they desire.
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Catchafire
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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200 - 300 Employee
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Development Consultant, Pro Bono
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Jan 2019 - Jun 2022
Secure funds for nonprofits striving for education equity and economic mobility. Consult with nonprofits, including start-ups, to understand their goals and capacity; research and share industry trends, and create fundraising material to increase sponsorships. Secure funds for nonprofits striving for education equity and economic mobility. Consult with nonprofits, including start-ups, to understand their goals and capacity; research and share industry trends, and create fundraising material to increase sponsorships.
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The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS)
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Higher Education
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100 - 200 Employee
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Director of Student Life and Community Outreach
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2009 - 2018
Led cross-functional teams and cultivated external partnerships to create best-in-class experience for all students. Developed budgets, policies and procedures and curated student onboarding, engagement and support services, working across functions to ensure student success. Secured funds for social justice student services. Led cross-functional teams and cultivated external partnerships to create best-in-class experience for all students. Developed budgets, policies and procedures and curated student onboarding, engagement and support services, working across functions to ensure student success. Secured funds for social justice student services.
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- Independent Contractor
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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Community Organizer - Refugee Aid and Youth Empowerment
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2008 - 2008
Networked across sectors in three low-income communities to build new partnerships, leading project ideation, team development, fundraising and project management. Forged partnerships across sectors, organizations and stakeholder groups to lead 6 major post-war projects aiding 600 refugees. Led relationally, helping diverse stakeholders negotiate competing priorities and expand their comfort zones, cultivating comfort leading in new spheres. Coached nonprofit leaders, serving as an ally and a resource, successfully connecting them to government funding, increasing their revenue by over 230%. Built new partnerships across public schools through cross-cultural community organizing. Wrote grants winning government and foundation support to focus on refugee aid, environmental projects, youth leadership development, and nonprofit sustainability. Worked variously with the UN, Red Cross, WorldVision, Eurasia Foundation, Save the Children, BP and others. Show less
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Business and Social Entrepreneurship Peace Corps Volunteer
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2007 - 2008
Developed nonprofit viability through partnership building, fundraising, training and project management. Identified and cultivated new partnerships, convincing hesitant funders to launch a new partnership in an under-resourced region, and when tapped to lead the initiative, created their most impactful leadership wing, fertilizing the region’s nonprofit marketplace and transforming partners’ sense of the region’s frontline potential—with the original youth cohort becoming change-makers and community leaders ten years on, and the original partnerships and networks thriving still. Assessed nonprofit marketplace needs, delivering training to 110 local leaders. Show less
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Jewish Outreach Institute
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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Senior Director of Program and Training
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2003 - 2007
Chief partnership manager and management consultant for professional services start-up. Helped clients tackle complex challenges to redesign institutional strategy to meet new needs and improve inclusivity. Canvassed 200+ nonprofits to understand their strategic challenges, internal resources and community needs, then built solutions, teams and training to reach mission alignment. Oversaw cross-functional teams, ensuring excellent delivery of service, monitoring economic arrangements, consulting and training packages, timelines and logistics. Drove research, analyzed data, and designed dynamic, impact-oriented consultations, workshops and materials to meet the needs of executive-level and frontline partners. Coached seven reports, monitoring KPIs, workload and tailoring professional development. Forged partnerships across the US and Canada, securing ~30% of the operating budget on the strength of consultative relationships, speaking engagements, and grant writing. Show less
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Solidarity Center
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E-Learning Providers
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Program Officer
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2000 - 2004
Wrote grant proposals and reports securing public funds for civil society organizations. Managed $2M audit. Wrote grant proposals and reports securing public funds for civil society organizations. Managed $2M audit.
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FUND FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN INC
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United States
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Research
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Grant Writer
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1999 - 2000
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Education
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The George Washington University
Master of Arts - MA, Russian and East European Studies -
University of Florida
Double BA, Balkan Studies, and Russian Language & Literature -
Indiana University Bloomington
Certificate, Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian Language -
Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU)
Russian Language and Culture
Community
