Ambitious Professional Fundraiser with 18 years' experience organizing complex events and galas. Effective communicator talented in building relationships with high-level donors and initiating matching gift campaigns with corporations. Talented event planner and team leader with strong track record of success in surpassing fundraising goals. Over twenty years of experience in event planning including budgeting, contract negotiation and attrition, site selection, staffing, and marketing. Confident in leading teams and making tough decisions to optimize fundraising operations. Motivates staff to reach ever-higher targets.
Hi, I’m
BENITA BARBER
Development and Event Planning Professional
Calumet City,Illinois
Summary
Overview
23
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Better Government Association, Chicago, IL
Development Associate
2022.03 - Current (2 years & 6 months)
Job overview
- As Raiser’s Edge Donor Database Administrator maintains, updates, and controls the donor database and analyze all informational requirements, develops database specifications, and enforces database standards to assure the integrity and accuracy of all donor data. Responsible for assigning database users and their roles
- Responsible for all donor data management and reporting in Raiser’s Edge including monthly, annual and fiscal year balancing and reporting including all aspects of the Development office accounting.
- Assists in identifying, cultivating and soliciting individuals and foundations
- Manages the portfolio of individual donors under $25,000
- Responsible for reporting on gift income and gift processing operations, administrative functions,
- Collaborated with internal teams to ensure successful execution of donor cultivation events.
- Cultivated relationships with existing donors through regular communications and meetings.
- Analyzed financial data to identify areas for improvement in fundraising efforts.
- Assisted with the planning and implementation of special projects related to development initiatives.
- Researched best practices in philanthropy and prepared recommendations based on findings.
- Drafted communication materials such as emails, letters, brochures., intended for both internal and external audiences.
- Tracked progress against individual giving goals established by the organization's leadership team.
- Served as primary contact for inquiries from current or potential donors.
- Generated weekly and monthly reports summarizing recent donations received.
- Responded with personalized contacts and thank you letters to donors, event attendees and social media followers.
Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL
Assistant Director of Stewardship, Events and Database Administration
2011.11 - 2021.01 (9 years & 2 months)
Job overview
- Provided administrative support to the President and Board of Trustees, the Senior Director for Strategy and Institutional Giving and the Senior Director of Continuing Education, Events and Alumni Engagement
- Planned and executed special events such as grand openings and special speaker presentations
- Assisted the Vice President of Human Resources in recruitment for executive positions including application screening, scheduling interviews and assisting hiring committee
- Scheduled committee meetings and provided support for committee and Board of Trustee Chair and Development Committee Chair including minutes
- Implemented and managed all fundraising events including five annual direct mail campaigns targeting over 15,000 prospective donors
- Managed the portfolio of individual donors under $25,000
- Managed the Employee giving campaign
- Responsible for reporting on gift income and gift processing operations and administrative functions of the Development Office
- Responsible for all donor data management and reporting in Raiser’s Edge including monthly, annual and fiscal year balancing and reporting
- Managed and implemented all database enhancements for the Development Office in Raiser’s Edge
- Managed annual updates of all donor walls and naming opportunities.
- Implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws.
American Massage Therapy Association, Evanston, IL
Assistant to the Executive Office
2008.01 - 2009.01 (1 year)
Job overview
- Provided administrative support to Executive Director, Deputy Director, Chief Financial Officer and the National Board of Directors including agenda items, board books, and minutes
- Responsible for the Executive Directors calendar as well as the organizational calendar for both staff and volunteers
- Responsible for travel arrangements for the Executive Director, President and President- Elect including event registration, flight, hotel and ground transportation
- Assisted in budget preparation including processing and tracking expenses for executive staff and the Executive Committee of the Board
- Created and edited the National Office Update, AMTA’s monthly newsletter and distributed it via email and web
- Updated the online Board Library
- Updated the policy manuals and bylaws in both print and online
- Responsible for the document retention project, an archiving program for all association files.
Association of Professional Chaplains, Schaumburg, IL
Conference & Meetings Manager
2007.01 - 2008.01 (1 year)
Job overview
- Organized and coordinated all meeting logistics, including travel, accommodations and venues.
- Processed continuing education applications for the annual conference workshops and pre-conference workshops
- Researched potential venues for meetings and events based on budget, location requirements and other factors.
- Monitored the conference room block and tracked room usage, room assignments, room setup and audio-visual equipment orders.
- Developed agendas for meetings and events, ensuring timely completion of all tasks.
- Managed event budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility while achieving desired objectives.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders to develop engaging presentations for conferences and other events.
- Coordinated catering services for conferences, seminars and other gatherings.
- Acted as primary contact person handling inquiries about upcoming meetings or events.
- Coordinated and allocated equipment, supplies and staff for events.
- Provided technical support during virtual meetings using video conferencing tools.
Illinois Nurses Association, Chicago, IL
Coordinator, Foundation/Membership
2001.01 - 2007.01 (6 years)
Job overview
- Developed the Foundation and its programs, launched the initial fundraising campaign, and created the donor recognition program
- Coordinated all fundraising events including two annual direct mail campaigns
- Developed and maintains donor database
- Handled all development correspondence and related support functions, donor related correspondence and reports
- Provided executive administrative support to Executive Director, Board members and Committee members
- Maintained and updated membership records
- Handled all aspects of the Scholarship program
- Coordinated and implemented both member and donor recruitment and retention activities
- Increased member participation and volunteer support in all association events.
- Planned and managed operations to achieve objectives within budgets.
Education
Kaplan University Chicago, IL
Associate of Science from Associate of Science-Business Administration
05.2013
University Overview
College of Office Technology Chicago, IL
Certificate from Computerized Office Procedures
05.1995
University Overview
Southern New Hampshire University Chicago, IL
BBA from Bachelor of Science-Business Administration
2023.10 - Current (11 months)
University Overview
Skills
- Campaign Planning
- Event Planning
- Program Implementation
- Database Administration
- Board & Volunteer Support
- Donor Support
- Gift Acknowledgment
- Report Development
- Donor Retention
- Oral and Written Communications
- Event Oversight
- Best Practices
- Financial Goals
- Project Management
- Campaign Development
Additional Qualifications Experience
Additional Qualifications Experience
- Proficient in All Microsoft application
- Accounting functions
- Supervisory Experience
- Proven Organizational Skills
- Self-starter
- Detail Oriented
- Dependable
Certification
- bCRE - Blackbaud Certified in Raiser's Edge
References
References
Available Upon Request
Timeline
Southern New Hampshire University
BBA from Bachelor of Science-Business Administration
2023.10 - Current (11 months)
Development Associate
Better Government Association
2022.03 - Current (2 years & 6 months)
Assistant Director of Stewardship, Events and Database Administration
Illinois College of Optometry
2011.11 - 2021.01 (9 years & 2 months)
Assistant to the Executive Office
American Massage Therapy Association
2008.01 - 2009.01 (1 year)
Conference & Meetings Manager
Association of Professional Chaplains
2007.01 - 2008.01 (1 year)
Coordinator, Foundation/Membership
Illinois Nurses Association
2001.01 - 2007.01 (6 years)
- bCRE - Blackbaud Certified in Raiser's Edge
Kaplan University
Associate of Science from Associate of Science-Business Administration
College of Office Technology
Certificate from Computerized Office Procedures
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