Seasoned director of philanthropy offering comprehensive background in fundraising and strategic planning. Demonstrated ability to forge valuable relationships with stakeholders, leading to successful campaigns for diverse causes. Strong leadership skills have resulted in productive teams and significant contributions to non-profit organizations, with a focus on driving growth and development.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Engagement Lead
August Jackson
Chicago, IL
01.2023 - Current
Responsible for new business development including strategy, cold calling, email campaigns, and renewing past client business
Expanding current business through personal one-to-one outreach, and one-to-many campaign outreaches
Deliver capabilities presentations to potential new clients and manage RFP response to garner new business.
Philanthropic Relationship Officer
Americans for Ben-Gurion University
Chicago, IL
03.2021 - 01.2023
Managed a portfolio of 125 current and prospective major donors while also developing a smaller portfolio of community-level donors
Successfully solicited $700,000 million dollars in FY21 and $1.25 in FY22; working on closing a 7-figure transformational gift with Family Foundation
Served as liaison to Ben-Gurion University’s Medical School for International Health, oversaw the volunteer committee, partnered with lead physicians, and was responsible for a goal of $450,000 annually for scholarship support
Began laying the groundwork with Major Donors and organizations in Detroit, Cleveland, and Minnesota to raise organizational visibility and public awareness engagement; Partnered with members and non-profits in the Detroit community outreach team to create partnership opportunities in Detroit.
Chief Development Officer
Anixter Center
Chicago, IL
09.2020 - 03.2021
Oversaw all fundraising initiatives and strategies including major gifts, planned giving, foundation relations, grants, annual giving, events, database management, communications, cultivation, and stewardship
Developed and implemented a fundraising strategic plan to guide the organization, Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and stakeholders to increase philanthropic dollars
Created and rebranded end-of-year fundraising campaign: Increased end-of-year appeal funds raised by 50% in FY21; Increased Giving Tuesday funds raised from $1200 in FY20 to $21,000 in FY21
Devised philanthropic case for support and led marketing to rebrand logo, website, and language used to communicate the organization’s impact on the community and need for philanthropic support
Managed and mentored a development team responsible for grant writing, database management, and stewardship
Oversaw database and gift processing policies and practices to enforce data fidelity
Recruited new donors through qualification meetings, stewardship, and regular touchpoints to increase donor acquisition, renewal, and upgrades
Managed a portfolio of major gift donors, including the Board of Directors and the newly formed Resource and Development Committee.
Senior Associate Director, Major Gifts
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
04.2017 - 09.2020
Served as Major Gifts Officer for Midwest Region: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin
Traveled on behalf of Kellogg to qualify, engage, cultivate, steward, and solicit alumni and major gift prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000+; achieved over 225 face-to-face visits from FY17 to FY20 and qualified 40 new major gift prospects
Successfully solicited: $500,000 in FY18, $1,200,000 in FY19, and $1,250,000 in FY20
Built portfolio of new prospects projected to close $9,000,000 by FY21 to benefit Kellogg School of Management and Northwestern University’s We Will Campaign
Implemented thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship moves for prospects; collaborated with Kellogg Dean, faculty, and colleagues across the university to ensure strategies were donor-centric to benefit the institution
Managed, mentored, and coached two major gift team program assistants.
Individual Giving Officer, Major Gifts
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, IL
01.2015 - 05.2016
Managed, planned, and implemented individualized strategies to cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of 65 major gifts prospects resulting in $750,000 of current use funds and a $5 million programmatic endowment in FY15; achieved goal of 75 face-to-face qualification visits
Collaborated with Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts on solicitations resulting in more than $4,000,000
Initiated and executed a mid-level giving program to enhance the Heart Center donor pipeline; qualified 25 new donors and generated $50,000 in new revenue
Staffed Children's Service Board's Major Gifts Committee: empowered volunteers to establish an individual giving program and peer-to-peer pipeline development program resulting in a 113% increase in board giving from FY14 to FY15
Partnered with senior staff, hospital division heads, and board leadership to develop major gift opportunities and to promote collaboration among volunteers and physicians
Worked in partnership with communications and donor relations colleagues to create briefings, proposals, and stewardship materials for major gift prospects, donors, and hospital stakeholders.
Senior Associate Director, Major Gifts
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, IL
04.2012 - 01.2015
Successfully solicited $400,000+ annually from a portfolio of 40 major gift donors; Upgraded three $1,000 donors in FY13 to $200,000+ in FY14; achieved goal of 50 face-to-face qualification visits annually
Collaborated with Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts on solicitations resulting in more than $2,000,000 in FY14 to benefit the Hero’s for Life capital campaign
Partnered with the Senior Vice President of Major Gifts to analyze the donor database and develop a Lead Annual Giving Program to identify new donors and structure appropriate strategies for building major gifts pipeline and relationships
Implemented a new individual giving program to increase the number and size of contributions from individuals identified as major gift prospects; created bi-annual mail solicitations, organized cultivation events, and facilitated stewardship touch points for over 1,200 prospects resulting in $700,000 annually.
Assistant Director of Development, Chicago Region
American Jewish Committee (AJC)
Chicago, IL
08.2010 - 03.2012
Partnered with the Director of Development to execute fundraising initiatives resulting in nearly $2 million annually
Collaborated with the Director of Development, Chicago Board Members, and Campaign Committee Members to create a three-year strategic fundraising plan
Assisted with the preparation and execution of fundraising strategies for individual and institutional giving through channels including direct mail, special events, and individual gifts
Managed honoree dinners including liaison to honoree and co-chairs, and coordination of event logistics
Maintained fundraising database; produced monthly reports to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
Assistant Director, Regional Operations, Chicago Region
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Chicago, IL
02.2007 - 08.2010
Recruited young professionals to establish Chicago Regional Junior Board; created fundraising strategies and engagement opportunities aligned with ADL's mission; resulting in $150,000 of new donations
Organized educational forums for ADL constituents and donors to promote the mission, networking, and bridge-building with members of the Chicago Urban League and Archdiocese of Chicago
Collaborated with former Chicago Police Superintendent to provide Hate Crime, Cyberbullying, and Extremism training to over 1,000 police officers
Selected and organized Chicago Public High students to attend National Youth Leadership Mission on Genocide in Washington, D.C
Orientation and team building sessions for students and parents.
Assistant Director, Educational, Detroit Office
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Detroit, MI
03.2007 - 02.2010
Presented A World of Difference Institute anti-bias education program opportunities to clients, assessed their needs, and designed individualized training programs for school districts
Managed all aspects of A World of Difference including a $1 million-dollar restricted budget, payroll, and staff of 20 facilitators
Maintained strong organizational alliances with Michigan school districts, state agencies, and other governmental institutions to advance organizational mission
Collaborated with ADL National office on all aspects of marketing, branding, and fundraising in the Region
Drafted press releases and achieved print and radio stories throughout the State of Michigan.
Staff Associate and Graduate Intern, Detroit Office
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Detroit, MI
09.2005 - 02.2007
Collaborated in all aspects of fundraising and event planning
Drafted and circulated press releases and marketing materials
Developed strategic plans, managed case resolutions, and mediated client discrimination and civil rights complaints.
Education
MBA -
National Louis University
Chicago, IL
06.2016
MSW - Social Policy and Evaluation
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
12.2006
BA - Political Science
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
05.2004
Skills
Donor Engagement
Stakeholder Management
Annual giving campaigns
Timeline
Senior Engagement Lead
August Jackson
01.2023 - Current
Philanthropic Relationship Officer
Americans for Ben-Gurion University
03.2021 - 01.2023
Chief Development Officer
Anixter Center
09.2020 - 03.2021
Senior Associate Director, Major Gifts
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
04.2017 - 09.2020
Individual Giving Officer, Major Gifts
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
01.2015 - 05.2016
Senior Associate Director, Major Gifts
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
04.2012 - 01.2015
Assistant Director of Development, Chicago Region
American Jewish Committee (AJC)
08.2010 - 03.2012
Assistant Director, Educational, Detroit Office
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
03.2007 - 02.2010
Assistant Director, Regional Operations, Chicago Region
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
02.2007 - 08.2010
Staff Associate and Graduate Intern, Detroit Office
Clinical Nurse Assistant Student Intern at Thrive Healthcare Academy and August HealthcareClinical Nurse Assistant Student Intern at Thrive Healthcare Academy and August Healthcare