Director of Grants

• Feb 2023 - Present

Owner

• Sep 2015 - Present

Professional and self-motivated development executive with over twenty years of experience in political and nonprofit fundraising, grant writing and grant application management. Extensive knowledge of the cultivation process, against which activities and goals can be mapped including donor identification and research; donor cultivation; donor solicitation and donor stewardship. Worked to successfully engage potential, new and current donors and supporters with a goal to build and/or continue existing relationships. Fluent in a number of CRM systems and have used a variety of other mechanisms to ensure that potential and current donors are tracked so that their funding potential can be optimized. Recent Projects: • 2021 Meristem's Breaking Barriers to Employment for Young Adults with Autism Expansion Project • 2020 Joshua’s House Hospice Capital Campaign • 2020 Biden for President Victory Fund • 2019 DCCC Keep the House Blue Reception • 2018-2021 Meristem's Breaking Barriers to Employment for Young Adults with Autism Pilot Project • 2016 DCCC Event for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi • 2016 Hillary Clinton for President Event Specific skills include:  Strategic partnership and relationship building  Community outreach  Major donor, foundation and grant research  Foundation, donor and grant management and fiscal oversite  Grant writing for state, federal and foundation funding opportunities  Workforce development  CRM implementation and management  Budgeting  Data and policy analysis and summation  Donor acquisition, cultivation and stewardship  Targeted audience messaging and media relations  Personnel management, team building and support  Event planning, implementation and management  Corporate sponsorship acquisition  Strategic planning and revenue management  Parent and alumni relations and donor management  Advanced written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills Show less

Director of Grants and Corporate Giving

• Aug 2022 - Jul 2023

Meristem's Director of Grants and Corporate Giving is primarily responsible for developing and maintaining relationships for the purpose of current and future grant opportunities, searching for grant opportunities, writing grants, and complying with the reporting and compliance of grants received. This role will also serve as the primary contact for large donor alliances and overseeing the execution of the annual Awaken the Possibilities event.

Development Executive

• Sep 2015 - Nov 2022

Meristem is a unique program that is dedicated to preparing young adults with autism for a life of greater independence and fulfillment, while at the same time supporting entry into the workforce and higher education. I have worked to restructure their executive office and expand their marketing and development efforts; I am part of the leadership team that reports to the board. I am the organization’s principal fundraiser and grant writer. Under my direction, Meristem has expanded their community outreach efforts and has successfully developed a wide range of strong strategic partnerships that align with Meristem’s mission and vision. Additional accomplishments:• Installation of a robust grant program that generated over $700,000 in grant revenue for the organization in its first year - increased to $6 million in 2022-2023 fiscal year.• Utilized measurable outcomes and assessment activities to provide written reports to funders on the organization’s overall effectiveness. • Instrumental in securing initial funding for and expanding a program focused on increasing long-term employment opportunities for young adults with Autism. • Successful and ongoing efforts to develop and grow partnerships with California legislative leaders, higher education and workforce boards and employers throughout California.• Identified and developed new corporate relationships through events, targeted marketing, cultivation, stewardship and outreach.• Coordinated Meristem’s participation in its first Big Day of Giving, a 24-hour online giving challenge and surpassed our fundraising goal by 200%. Ongoing efforts continue to surpass goals.• Implemented an ongoing diversified fundraising strategy that incorporates our board, parents, alumni, and a variety of community partners to ensure continued program growth and support. • Provided ongoing over site and management of existing grants and continued development of ongoing grant efforts and opportunities. Show less

Grant Manager

• Jan 2018 - Jul 2023

Manager grant deliverables for Meristem's Breaking Barriers (TAP) program. Manager grant deliverables for Meristem's Breaking Barriers (TAP) program.

Community Relations and Development Director

• Jan 2013 - Jul 2015

As the Community Relations and Development Director for Susan G. Komen Sacramento Valley my responsibilities are focused in part around the Komen Race for the Cure® series that raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Those duties include: • Corporate sponsorship – develop new corporate relationships through individual meetings. Support those relationships through presentations, contracts, team support, benefit fulfillment and Expo oversight. • Build team captain/survivor relationships by developing and using “high touch” programs • Increase donations and number of people collecting donations with programs for both teams and individuals, including research, incentives, recognition and rewards. • Identify race audiences and craft communications that speaks to each audience • Promote special programs such as Sleep in for the Cure® and Kids for the Cure® Additionally, I support a variety of Third Party events that are done on behalf of the Sacramento Affiliate. These events help to not only raise funds, but also help to raise public awareness of the Komen organization and our Affiliate, educate the public about breast cancer and breast health, cultivate new donor prospects and help to maintain current donors and longtime supporters. I am responsible for the overall fundraising and communication strategy for a variety of Affiliate programs, working to improve sponsorship opportunities, donor recognition, promotion and revenue while expanding the reach and ensuring that we are always working to fulfill our mission. I work with the affiliate donor database using Salesforce, assist in the coordination of E-communications utilizing e-blasts, social media, and other online giving opportunities, memorials, honorariums, employee, corporate and end of year giving campaigns. Show less

Partner

• 2008 - Jan 2012

Political and nonprofit fundraising consultant working on a variety of federal, state and local political and nonprofit fundraising events throughout the state. Key responsibilities include: Campaign message and strategy coordination; Fund development; Coordination of event logistics, community outreach and volunteer organization; and Manage day to day company financials including payroll and all bookkeeping functions. Political and nonprofit fundraising consultant working on a variety of federal, state and local political and nonprofit fundraising events throughout the state. Key responsibilities include: Campaign message and strategy coordination; Fund development; Coordination of event logistics, community outreach and volunteer organization; and Manage day to day company financials including payroll and all bookkeeping functions.

Managing Partner

• 2001 - 2006

As Managing Partner I had the following primary responsibilities: Coordinating fundraising activities for various political and nonprofit organizations including event logistics with various service providers. Maintaining partnership’s day-to-day business affairs and finances. Maintaining database and coordinated contribution/expenditure reporting to state regulatory agencies. As the business manager I was responsible for all preparation, coordination and proper processing of all documentation pertaining to the business. Show less

Deputy Finance Director

• 2004 - 2005

Served as Deputy Finance Director, assisting in the management of day-to-day campaign finances. Also worked as a principal fundraiser for gubernatorial campaign committee, with duties that included the management of campaign volunteers and paid fundraising staff; Coordination of logistics for all fundraising event, which included working as a liaison with local and state law enforcement and commercial vendors; research and analysis of various policy issues relating to the State of California; tracking and analysis of polling data and program implementation as it pertains to the State of California, specifically focusing on education and California’s economic health. Show less