Ashley Schley
Columbus,Georgia
Summary
I am an experienced higher education administrative professional confident in using a multi-channeled and integrated approach to engaging a university's internal and external stakeholders while maintaining the integrity of constituent data. My background includes coordinating and leading a team of student assistant fundraisers; developing goals for annual giving aligning with the university's strategic plan; leading a shared governance council for staff; planning and executing events for students and the community; marketing and targeted campaigns; creatively implementing online platforms for strategic communication; and building relationships to acquire, retain, and upgrade givers.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Annual Giving
Columbus State University
Columbus, Georgia
09.2017 - 05.2023
- Creatively use a myriad of communication tools in collaboration with multiple departments and programs to build lasting relationships that transform students lives.
- Implemented Columbus State University's first crowdfunding platform and developed culture of philanthropy through peer-to-peer projects.
- Manage fundraising events and mail solicitations while coordinating with a team of volunteers.
- Develop targeted mail and email appeals to engage new donors and establish a pipeline from annual to major gifts.
- Participated and presented sessions on peer-to-peer fundraising and alumni engagement at the Georgia Education Advancement Council, Inc., annual regional conference in 2018 and 2018.
- Maintain and updated web content providing constituents with clear information on giving and different ways to make an impact on the university.
- Assisted in closing the university's second capital campaign to close $100 million by 2018; helped bring the final total of funds raised to $120 million.
- Work collaboratively with volunteers to create more meaningful interactions with prospects and givers.
- Coordinate an annual campaign for all faculty and staff.
- Maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects.
- Write and submit grant and sponsorship proposals for special projects and outreach centers.
- Plan and execute events such as giving society luncheons, fundraising events, and engagement opportunities.
Development Coordinator
Columbus State University
Columbus, Georgia
08.2015 - 09.2017
- Planned and executed Columbus State University's first online giving day, leading to more than 1,100 gifts to the university solicited through compelling messaging and video content
- Led CSUGives, a video contest for students sharing why they love CSU and why it is important for alumni to give back to the university
- Collaborated with a team of volunteers through the university's internal Faculty-Staff Campaign, through which colleagues encouraged one another to participate in annual giving. Employee participation campus-wide exceeded 70% for more than four consecutive years.
- Managed the annual student-staffed telethon program, which involved hiring, training, and managing a team of student assistants and a graduate assistant.
- Became familiar with Raiser's Edge, CSU's CRM, and developed skills in running exports, queries, and reports.
- Oversaw stewardship efforts for annual givers.
Education
Certified Fundraising Executive -
CFRE International
2022
Master of Science - Public Administration
Columbus State University
Columbus, GA2016
Bachelor of Arts - English
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA2014
Skills
- Constituent engagement
- CRM software
- Management
- Team-building and leadership
- Training
- Fundraising
- Stewardship
- Event management
- Software implementation
- Public speaking
- Working collaboratively
- Ability to analyze data
- Performance metrics
- Oral and written communication
- Conflict resolution
- Crowdfunding campaign management
- Grant proposals
Affiliations
- Incoming Treasurer of the Paws Humane Society Inc., Board of Directors.
- Current member of the Columbus Ballet Board of Directors.
- Co-chaired the Columbus State University campus-wide Administrative Strategic Alignment Task Force, 2022 - 2023.
- Recognized as one of Columbus and the Valley Magazine's 2022 Rising Stars.
- Chair of Columbus State University's Staff Council, 2021 - 2022.
- Graduate of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Columbus program in the Class of 2019.
- Served as Secretary of the CSU Athletic Fund Board, 2017 - 2019.
- Served as a Loaned Executive for United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, 2018 - 2019.
- Helped found the Rotaract Club of Greater Columbus in 2017 and served until 2020.
Timeline
Director of Annual Giving
Columbus State University
09.2017 - 05.2023
Development Coordinator
Columbus State University
08.2015 - 09.2017
Certified Fundraising Executive -
CFRE International
Master of Science - Public Administration
Columbus State University
Bachelor of Arts - English
Brenau University