Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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ANNIE MURPHY

ANNIE MURPHY

Webster

Summary

Dynamic Senior Development Leader with a strong track record of driving significant funding growth for nonprofit organizations. Natural connector and community builder with exceptional grant writing, storytelling, and strategic communication skills that secure grants, elevate brand reputation, and open new partnership opportunities. Passionate and results-driven fundraiser who blends authentic storytelling with relationship-based fundraising to inspire donors and generate impact. Committed to continuous learning and professional growth.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Director, Communications & Philanthropy

Ronald McDonald House Charities Rochester, NY
02.2025 - Current
  • Expanded leadership role to include oversight of public relations and marketing while maintaining all philanthropic responsibilities.
  • Leveraged strong media relationships to significantly increase RMHCR’s visibility, securing frequent coverage on 13WHAM-TV, WROC-TV, WHEC-TV, Spectrum News, and WBEE radio; full features in the Democrat & Chronicle and Rochester Business Journal; and an in-depth interview on Connections with Evan Dawson.
  • Represent RMHCR as a trusted media spokesperson and ambassador for the mission, participating in interviews and public appearances that highlight the organization’s impact.
  • Continued to lead grant writing efforts, securing new funding opportunities and stewarding existing relationships through timely, detailed reporting.
  • Built and deepened corporate partnerships, moving committed volunteers toward financial support through personalized cultivation strategies.
  • Secured targeted commitments such as “Sponsor a Room” contributions and customized sponsorship packages that combine event support with unique program opportunities.
  • Serve as a passionate ambassador for RMHCR, regularly leading facility tours for prospective funders and community partners to connect them directly to the mission.Expanded leadership role to include oversight of public relations and marketing while maintaining all philanthropic responsibilities.
  • Leveraged strong media relationships to significantly increase RMHCR’s visibility, securing frequent coverage on 13WHAM-TV, WROC-TV, WHEC-TV, Spectrum News, and WBEE radio; full features in the Democrat & Chronicle and Rochester Business Journal; and an in-depth interview on Connections with Evan Dawson.
  • Represent RMHCR as a trusted media spokesperson and ambassador for the mission, participating in interviews and public appearances that highlight the organization’s impact.
  • Continued to lead grant writing efforts, securing new funding opportunities and stewarding existing relationships through timely, detailed reporting.
  • Built and deepened corporate partnerships, moving committed volunteers toward financial support through personalized cultivation strategies.
  • Secured targeted commitments such as “Sponsor a Room” contributions and customized sponsorship packages that combine event support with unique program opportunities.
  • Serve as a passionate ambassador for RMHCR, regularly leading facility tours for prospective funders and community partners to connect them directly to the mission.e essentially kept all of my previous expectations the same and added PR and Marketing to my role
  • I quickly excelled with PR, as I have strong ties in this sector. Since taking on this role, RMHCR has been featured (often multiple times) on 13WHAM-TV, WROC-TV, WHEC-TV and Spectrum News, in print with full features in the Democrat & Chronicle, and in the Rochester Business Jounal – both highlighting RMHCR’s 35th Anniversary, and on the radio – Connections with Evan Dawson, and multiple features on WBEE radio
  • I’ve continued grant writing and soliciting corporate partnership and deepinng and strengthening ties with existing partners
  • I provide regular tours of our facility, as I feel there’s no better way to connect a funder to our mission than to see it in action
  • I'm furthering connections with corporations, many already committed volunteers, moving them gently through our pipeline to inspire monetarty gifts - many aimed at our "Sponsor a Room" program or more tailed approaches, combinging event sponsorship with unique support opportunities within our programs

Senior Director of Philanthropic Relationships

Ronald McDonald House Charities Rochester, NY
11.2024 - 02.2025
  • Promoted to expand scope from grant management to securing new philanthropic revenue across individuals, corporations, private foundations, and planned giving, with a continued emphasis on strategic partnerships.
  • Developed and launched Kids Read for Kids, a literacy-based community service initiative in partnership with a local elementary school, inspiring students to read while raising support for both their school and families of critically ill or injured children. The program’s success secured its continuation for the upcoming school year.
  • Partnered with the Senior Vice President of Business Strategy and the President & CEO to develop tailored approaches for prospective funders, aligning their priorities with RMHCR’s mission and vision.
  • Led engaging tours and presentations for prospective donors, demonstrating a proven ability to inspire investment by creating mission-driven alignment.
  • Secured first-time funding from the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation, as well as gifts from M&T Charitable Foundation and Avangrid Foundation; successfully completed all legacy grant reporting.
  • Continued producing high-impact social media content, doubling RMHCR’s LinkedIn followers in under one year through strategic storytelling and targeted engagement.
  • Cultivated and secured corporate sponsorships for key fundraising events, leveraging existing networks and expanding new connections.
  • Negotiated full floral sponsorship for the annual gala from Kittelberger Florist through long-standing relationships.
  • Conceived, scripted, and co-produced the gala’s signature video featuring two families; this compelling storytelling directly contributed to the most successful paddle call in RMHCR history.

Associate Director, Grants & Community Engagement

Ronald McDonald House Charities Rochester, NY
01.2024 - 11.2024
  • Managed and exceeded a $600K annual grant revenue goal, securing significant new funding sources and expanding the organization’s philanthropic reach.
  • Secured key new funders, including The Farash Foundation—awarding RMHCR its largest foundation grant to date—and The Golisano Foundation, both of which were instrumental in launching the House to Home initiative.
  • Leveraged relationships with the Golisano Foundation to facilitate organizational visibility with Tom Golisano, resulting in the largest single gift in RMHCR’s history: $2M, announced as part of his $36M community investment.
  • Cultivated and strengthened strategic partnerships with industry leaders, fostering mutually beneficial opportunities for collaboration and growth.
  • Directed all social media strategy and execution across LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, including content creation, photography, and design, significantly enhancing engagement and brand visibility.
  • Designed and produced donor appeals from concept to completion—conducting family interviews, crafting compelling narratives, developing creative layouts, and managing print production to ensure fundraising goals were met.
  • Secured corporate event sponsorships through leveraging strong community relationships and actively cultivating new partnerships.

Fundraising Consultant

Empreinte Consulting LLC
07.2023 - 12.2023
  • Wrote, reviewed and edited proposals for grants, gifts, and contracts.
  • Developed impactful grant applications to enhance organization's potential for funding awards - serving as lead grant writer for the Hochstein School of Music and submitted proposals for Children's Museum of Naples, securing funding for both organizations
  • Collaborated with program staff to develop strong, outcomes-based grant applications that aligned with organization goals.
  • Maximized funding potential by customizing each proposal to highlight unique aspects of programs and their alignment with funder interests.
  • Secured funding for nonprofit organizations by researching and writing compelling grant proposals.

Director of Development

Pluta Cancer Center Foundation
01.2023 - 03.2023
  • Created and responsible for an annual fundraising budget of $1.1 million
  • Designed and wrote content for all direct mail appeals, monthly E-newsletter and bi-annual mailed newsletter
  • Created and implemented an annual grant calendar
  • Wrote grants and followed through with final reports and site visits
  • Provided high level donor cultivation, with a goal of soliciting for major gifts by year end
  • Provided leadership and partnered with the board of directors to seek more fundraising opportunities and strengthen partnerships
  • Oversaw all special events, including Pluta’s signature Emerald Ball that raised over half a million dollars in 2022

Associate Director of Development

Pluta Cancer Center Foundation
09.2021 - 12.2022
  • Directed social media campaigns, developed marketing materials, provided leadership for in-person fundraisers and served as articulate, enthusiastic and visible spokesperson.
  • Cultivated, solicited and stewarded board members, donors, prospects and philanthropic community to keep institution’s financial needs in forefront.
  • Represented company at public events to improve corporate networks and develop working relationships. (was a featured guest on Connections with Evan Dawson & interviewed by local news outlets)
  • Utilized donor database and moves management strategies to implement best practices in tracking donor relationships.
  • Created and wrote content for direct mail appeals, and created an E-newsletter to provide updates to staff, board of directors, volunteers and committee members
  • Researched, wrote and presented compelling funding proposals to foundations, generating support from the Polisseni Foundation, The William & Sheila Konar Foundation, Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, Glover Crask Charitable Trust, J.M. McDonald Foundation, Killian J. & Caroline F. Schmitt Foundation & Ames Amzalak Memorial Trust
  • Established strong corporate partnership with Walmart, resulting in over $50k over the past 2 years
  • Provided development update in relation to annual budget at quarterly board meetings
  • Provide leadership to ensure success of all fundraising events
  • Fostered strong relationships with the Pluta Care Team, Pluta Patients and Community Partners
  • Raised $184,000 in grant funding to support a Capital Project/Lobby Remodel of the Pluta Cancer Center

Development Coordinator

Pluta Cancer Center Foundation
04.2019 - 08.2021
  • Handled all administrative tasks for the Foundation; processing payroll, reconciling bank statements, book keeping
  • Processed all donations with precision through our donor database, sending acknowledgment letters in a timely manner
  • Provided support to the Executive Director as needed
  • Created all social media posts
  • Oversaw filming and developed content for two annual telethons (2020 & 2021) that raised over $600,000
  • Managed our Comfort Bag Program for patients beginning chemotherapy & radiation treatment
  • Oversaw employee engagement events for the care team at Pluta Cancer Center

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Musical Theater

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
Cincinnati, OH
05.2002

Skills

  • Data Management
  • Critical Thinking
  • Relationship Building
  • Friendly, Positive Attitude
  • Reliable & Trustworthy
  • Grant Writing
  • Donor Database Management
  • Community Relations
  • Connector
  • Collaborative leadership
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Media relations

Timeline

Senior Director, Communications & Philanthropy

Ronald McDonald House Charities Rochester, NY
02.2025 - Current

Senior Director of Philanthropic Relationships

Ronald McDonald House Charities Rochester, NY
11.2024 - 02.2025

Associate Director, Grants & Community Engagement

Ronald McDonald House Charities Rochester, NY
01.2024 - 11.2024

Fundraising Consultant

Empreinte Consulting LLC
07.2023 - 12.2023

Director of Development

Pluta Cancer Center Foundation
01.2023 - 03.2023

Associate Director of Development

Pluta Cancer Center Foundation
09.2021 - 12.2022

Development Coordinator

Pluta Cancer Center Foundation
04.2019 - 08.2021

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Musical Theater

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

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