COURTNEY KENNEBECK

Built and executed a $50 million comprehensive campaign budget spanning capital, programs, and operations.

• Surpassed Year One campaign fundraising goal, accelerating long-term campaign momentum.

• Increased North Texas Giving Day revenue by more than 300% through donor strategy and targeted engagement.

• Produced three major fundraising events—the most successful in the organization’s history.

• Increased overall giving by 22% through major gifts, cultivation systems, and improved stewardship.

• Led board and leadership alignment around campaign vision, funding priorities, and donor pathways.

• During my tenure at Fort Worth Opera, I successfully contributed to the origination’s growth and community impact through strategic leadership, storytelling, and relationship building. Took over marketing department, and create new materials as well as doing all copywriting. Produced all events including three new events targeting a range of donors. Increased corporate and of growth, hiring, and creating procedures. Executed foundation giving by 22 percent. Increased donors by 34%.

• Cultivate new and existing fundraising initiatives to meet or exceed fundraising goals. Foster strategic relationships with existing and prospective donors. Develop new fundraising initiatives and programs to gain major gift support.
• Fundraising: Expand and maintain a comprehensive donor pipeline, to support a multitude of giving programs; solicit gifts to reach annual fundraising goals.
• Donor Relations: Discover, solicit and steward new and existing donors. Foster long-term, meaningful relationships with donors and engage them personally with the mission of the organization.
• Program Development: Led the development and execution of Circle of Light planned giving program, increasing major donations by 56% during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Capital Campaigns: Delivered capital raise of $3.1MM for the Pharmacy Program to provide access to free prescription medication for those without insurance.

• Achieved fundraising goals through the establishment of valuable donor relationships and expertly planned donor events and campaigns. Developed instrumental initiatives and led capital campaigns.
• Fundraising: Spearheaded the creation of annual development strategies to reach revenue goals. Increased North Texas Giving Day revenue by 67%, and boosted Dallas Friendship Walk sponsorship revenue by 54%.
• Donor Relations: Expanded existing donor base by creating and implementing processes for cultivating and stewarding all donors.
• Event Planning & Management: Secured 201 new individual donors by hosting three in-home private donor events known as “Rosemary Parties.” Sold tables, secured auction items, and organized vendors and production to support the National Gala in Dallas.

• Developed and executed a capital plan to include cultivating relationships to increase annual giving for Vet Clinic. Brought in over $1.3 MM and secured multi-year giving for over 3 years.
• Fundraising Events: Created the Animals for Art Event in Fort Worth, with the inaugural year successfully netting over $150K.
• Major Gifts: Built the animal naming program and achieved 108 donors with the highest being $450K.