Breigha Duncan
Los Gatos
Summary
Dynamic development professional with eight years of experience leading fundraising initiatives, grant writing, donor relations, marketing, and event management. Proven success in securing six-figure gifts, cultivating donor relationships, and executing multi-channel campaigns that drive organizational growth and visibility. Strategic communicator skilled at aligning fundraising, marketing, and engagement strategies to advance mission and revenue goals. My leadership philosophy is collaborative, resourceful, and positive. I strive to create work that is always improving and always mission-forward.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Development Manager
Housing Industry Foundation
Palo Alto
01.2025 - Current
- Secured $200K+ in private grants, including $50K in new revenue
- Raised $800K in corporate sponsorships for the organization’s flagship event.
- Partnered with industry leaders to generate $600K in major gifts.
- Contributed to a fundraising strategy yielding $2.9M+ annually – a 15% increase from 2024.
- Directed and managed marketing, communication, and social media, increasing visibility by 20%.
- Strengthened donor management systems—optimizing Salesforce, reporting, and workflows.
- Managed engagement plans for over 200 donors across giving tiers.
- Forecasted a pipeline of over $300k in grants, $600k in major gifts, and $1M in events.
- Oversaw website content to ensure consistency and timely updates.
Development Officer
Farm Discovery at Live Earth Farm
Watsonville
03.2022 - 12.2024
- Led individual, corporate, and institutional fundraising, raising $400K+ annually.
- Secured $200K in private grants through proposals and reports.
- Designed fundraising, events, and marketing strategies for seasonal campaigns.
- Produced annual impact reports for donors and partners.
- Managed website content and social media.
- Collaborated with program staff to develop outcomes and evaluate impact.
- Trained and supervised two development associates.
- Increased major donor giving by 15% through personal stewardship.
- Developed training materials and conducted workshops for new staff members.
- Led team meetings to discuss updates and address operational challenges.
Grants Manager & Development Writer
American Red Cross
Los Angeles
01.2020 - 03.2022
- Managed a portfolio of 60+ foundations, raising $500K+ annually for disaster response and community resilience.
- Submitted proposals from $10K–$700K, supporting wildfire relief, emergency sheltering, feeding programs, and pandemic-adapted services.
- Maintained Salesforce workflows, deadlines, and stewardship tasks.
- Supported donor meetings to align funding with emergent disaster needs.
- Led donor communications during multi-hazard operations, including wildfire and COVID-19 response.
- Coordinated a volunteer activation at a Black Lives Matter protest to provide humanitarian support and resources.
Grant Writer
Union Rescue Mission
Los Angeles
08.2018 - 01.2020
- Wrote grant proposals to secure $2 million in grant funding from major foundations, including 21st Century Fox and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
- Gathered information on current programs and presented details to show strong organization with long-term plans.
- Researched private foundations and corporations to identify potential funding sources for URM’s programs.
- Managed a comprehensive grant database containing over 50 entries of private foundations and corporations.
- Wrote and submitted grant proposals, thank you letters, and cover letters to enhance donor relations.
- Maintained a database of submitted grants and tracked application deadlines effectively.
Education
Grant Writing Certificate -
UCLA Extension
Los Angeles, CA01.2019
B.A. - Intercultural Studies, International Development
Biola University
La Mirada, CA01.2017
Skills
- Strategic storytelling
- Systems design and implementation
- Salesforce and Raiser’s Edge management
- Email marketing expertise
- WordPress administration
- Grassroots fundraising and donor engagement
- Team leadership
- Analytical thinking
- Grant writing
- Event planning
Timeline
Development Manager
Housing Industry Foundation
01.2025 - Current
Development Officer
Farm Discovery at Live Earth Farm
03.2022 - 12.2024
Grants Manager & Development Writer
American Red Cross
01.2020 - 03.2022
Grant Writer
Union Rescue Mission
08.2018 - 01.2020
Grant Writing Certificate -
UCLA Extension
B.A. - Intercultural Studies, International Development
Biola University