Experience

America's Promise Alliance
• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Vice President of Partner Cities

  • Oct 2022 - Present


Communities In Schools of Memphis

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

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Sep 2014 - Oct 2022

• CEO

  • Jul 2018 - Jun 2022

  Responsible for developing, sustaining and growing the Communities In Schools operations throughout Shelby County. Identifies and secures the financial resources necessary to operate existing programs and to expand CISM services. Provides operational oversight to programs and services being provided, with a goal of coordinating community resources to assist in the CISM activities and programs being conducted in schools.WHO WE AREThe mission of Communities In Schools of Tennessee is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Nationwide, we are 4,500 professionals and 50,000 volunteers on the ground, working in more than 3,000 K-12 public schools, in the most challenged communities, in 25 states, and the District of Columbia, serving more than 1.3 million young people and their families every year.WHAT WE DOThrough a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources tailored to local needs. By providing students with a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and future, a marketable skill upon graduation and a chance to give back to peers and the community, Communities In Schools has become the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization and the only one proven to both decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates.CONTACT INFORMATIONFor more information on CIS of Memphis, please visit our website at www.cismemphis.org or feel free to contact me at sbranch@cismemphis.org or 901.605.6376 Show less



Solutions Plus Consulting Service

• Principal

  • Aug 2013 - Jul 2016

  As Principal, Sonji brings 16 years of progressive nonprofit experience to her clients. A former educator, Sonji transitioned from a career in teaching and began a rewarding career in Nonprofit Management as the Director of Community Services at St. Andrew AME Church. Her tenure at St. Andrew provided the foundation for a career in the nonprofit sector which has included senior level positions at the Hyde Family Foundations (Director of Grants Management), the National Civil Rights Museum (Senior Development Officer), and Facing History and Ourselves (Associate Director of Development). Sonji has: Created, executed, and managed a successful annual fund plan that raised a record $1,033, 400 in nine months exceeding the previous year’s revenue by 35%. Effectively managed and executed annual benefit dinners, community events, and private donor receptions that resulted in a 27% increase in fundraising revenue. Strategically implemented a plan for corporate engagement and solicitations that resulted in a 15% increase in corporate giving. Created and led strategic donor cultivation and stewardship events that resulted in a 13% increase in major gifts of $5,000 or more. Implemented improved grants management processes that resulted in enhanced organizational relationships with grantees. Nurtured collaborative relationships that resulted in the creation of community based programs serving an impoverished community. Show less



Communities In Schools of Tennessee

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Sep 2014 - Sep 2014

  Serves as the executive for greater Memphis. Responsible for developing, sustaining and growing the Communities In Schools operations throughout Shelby County. Identifies and secures the financial resources necessary to operate existing programs and to expand CIS services. Provides operational oversight to programs and services being provided, with a goal of coordinating community resources to assist in the CIS activities and programs being conducted in schools. WHO WE ARE The mission of Communities In Schools of Tennessee is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Nationwide, we are 4,500 professionals and 50,000 volunteers on the ground, working in more than 3,000 K-12 public schools, in the most challenged communities, in 25 states, and the District of Columbia, serving more than 1.3 million young people and their families every year. WHAT WE DO Through a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources tailored to local needs. By providing students with a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and future, a marketable skill upon graduation and a chance to give back to peers and the community, Communities In Schools has become the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization and the only one proven to both decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates. CONTACT INFORMATION For more information on CIS of Tennessee, please visit our website at www.cismemphis.org or feel free to contact me at sbranch@cismemphis.org or 901.605.6376 Show less



Facing History and Ourselves

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

• Associate Director of Development

  • Jan 2011 - Apr 2013

  Managed all development efforts and revenue in the Memphis office. Worked with Advisory Board members and staff to initiate, plan, and manage local efforts, including major gifts, benefits, community outreach, and events. Supported board activities and worked to build the pipeline of annual and capital giving donors to ensure a growing stream of revenue. Managed all development efforts and revenue in the Memphis office. Worked with Advisory Board members and staff to initiate, plan, and manage local efforts, including major gifts, benefits, community outreach, and events. Supported board activities and worked to build the pipeline of annual and capital giving donors to ensure a growing stream of revenue.



National Civil Rights Museum

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

• Senior Development Officer

  • 2008 - 2010

  Researched, plannned, developed, implemented and managed grants, fundraising programs and initiatives to support the goals and mission of the Museum. This included sponsorships, annual funds, and major gifts. Developed and nurtured donor relationships, as well as monitored actual performance to ensure income goals were achieved. Researched, plannned, developed, implemented and managed grants, fundraising programs and initiatives to support the goals and mission of the Museum. This included sponsorships, annual funds, and major gifts. Developed and nurtured donor relationships, as well as monitored actual performance to ensure income goals were achieved.



Hyde Family Foundations

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

• Director of Grants Management

  • 2002 - 2004

  Worked at the highest staff level and with trustees. Enhanced the foundation’s long-range planning, strategy implementation and communications efforts with knowledge of grantees, foundation history and pertinent regulations. Ensured the quality and timeliness of all aspects of grants processing and management. Worked at the highest staff level and with trustees. Enhanced the foundation’s long-range planning, strategy implementation and communications efforts with knowledge of grantees, foundation history and pertinent regulations. Ensured the quality and timeliness of all aspects of grants processing and management.



St. Andrew AME Church

• United States
• Freight and Package Transportation

• Director of Community Services

  • 1997 - 2002

  Responsible for managing the administration of and building local support for the following programs: Moneyworks, Trimasters, STARS, The Parent Advisory Group, The Urban Youth Initiative, Lifemasters, Summerworks, and Teenworks. Provided oversight and management of office systems, infrastructure, staffing and volunteer management, program and grant reporting, and community relations. Responsible for managing the administration of and building local support for the following programs: Moneyworks, Trimasters, STARS, The Parent Advisory Group, The Urban Youth Initiative, Lifemasters, Summerworks, and Teenworks. Provided oversight and management of office systems, infrastructure, staffing and volunteer management, program and grant reporting, and community relations.