DANA DiMARCO
Warwick,RI
Summary
Accomplished and results-driven nonprofit leader with over two decades of progressive experience in philanthropy, fundraising strategy, and integrated communications for national, international, and regional organizations. Demonstrated success in securing transformative gifts, building high-performing teams, and leading organizational change. Proven expertise in major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, capital campaigns, direct response fundraising, and analytics-driven strategy. Adept at engaging boards, inspiring stakeholders, and elevating brand visibility to advance mission impact.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Development & Communications
Child & Family Rhode Island
10.2022 - 08.2025
- Reestablished and led the organization’s philanthropy, marketing, and communications functions, partnering with the CEO and board to design and execute mission-driven fundraising strategies.
- Achieved a 14% increase in overall giving by securing major gifts, cultivating strategic corporate partnerships, and strengthening foundation relationships.
- Directed four annual fundraising events, lowering cost-per-dollar-raised to under $0.10, while expanding the largest to 32 vendors and 400+ attendees.
- Led a complete brand overhaul and digital transformation, including a website rebuild with custom integrations and implementation of integrated, digital-first marketing platforms.
- Oversaw and expanded grant development, reporting, and stewardship to meet and exceed funding targets.
- Designed innovative digital recruitment campaigns, achieving a fully staffed agency and the most successful foster parent recruitment effort to date.
- Provided leadership, mentorship, and performance management for staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
Senior Director
CCS Fundraising
01.2022 - 10.2022
- Developed and implemented custom fundraising strategies with a focus on major gifts, campaign readiness, and board development.
- Created comprehensive campaign materials, prospect pipelines, and marketing collateral for diverse nonprofit clients.
- Conducted governance assessments and rewrote nonprofit bylaws to strengthen board engagement and understanding.
Senior Account Executive, Fundraising Analytics
Blackbaud Inc.
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Served as strategic advisor and relationship manager for major national and international nonprofits, including Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
- Partnered with clients to identify pain points and promoted complex fundraising analytics including major, mid-level, and planned giving models, sustainer acquisition, wealth scoring, donor mosaic groupings, matching gifts, benchmarking, co-op lists, and data hygiene solutions.
- Utilized fundraising expertise to nurture robust client connections, fostering trust in business acumen while growing key relationships.
- Represented Blackbaud at national conferences, partnering in presentations on fundraising analytics, direct response trends and fundraising innovation.
- Remote
- Brought in over $10M in revenue while managing multiple high-profile accounts.
Vice President, Philanthropy
YMCA of Greater Providence
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Directed philanthropic strategy for eight branches, youth services, and a residential camp, increasing major gifts revenue by 9%.
- Applied analytics to enhance monthly giving, acquisition, and annual campaigns, achieving 10% overall revenue growth.
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Rhode Island–Greater Providence
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Revitalized operations, philanthropy, volunteer program, and marketing during a one-year funded turnaround role.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization's reach and influence.
- Devised and presented business plans and forecasts to board of directors.
Director of Philanthropy
WaterFire Providence
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Launched annual, major, and planned giving programs, securing the organization’s first bequests and surpassing revenue targets by 9%.
- Strengthened high-level donor networks and board recruitment, adding influential business and philanthropic leaders.
Director of Development
Community Preparatory School
01.2005 - 01.2012
- Increased major and planned giving by 19% and grew annual revenue to $1.5M+.
- Exceeded a targeted endowment campaign goal and secured a $10M bequest.
- Produced “An Evening with Viola Davis,” securing the actor pro bono and raising significant scholarship funds.
Education
B.A. - Communications
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MALeadership Rhode Island
Providence, RI01.2008
Skills
- Raiser’s Edge
- Salesforce
- Bloomerang
- ETapestry
- DonorPerfect
- Workday
- Google Analytics
- Constant Contact
- OneCause
- GiveGab
- CyberGrants’ FrontDoor
- Roonga
- Double the Donation
- Microsoft Office Suite
Areas of Expertise
- Comprehensive Fundraising Strategy: Major Gifts | Planned Giving | Corporate & Foundation Relations | Capital Campaigns | Direct Response
- Organizational Leadership: Senior Management | Staff Development | Board Governance | Volunteer Oversight | Budget Administration
- Marketing & Communications: Brand Development | Digital Transformation | Media Relations | Public Speaking | Social Media Integration
- Data-Driven Management: Fundraising Analytics | Portfolio Optimization | ROI Tracking | Moves Management
- Program Oversight: Grants | High-Profile Events | Community Partnerships
Timeline
Vice President, Development & Communications
Child & Family Rhode Island
10.2022 - 08.2025
Senior Director
CCS Fundraising
01.2022 - 10.2022
Senior Account Executive, Fundraising Analytics
Blackbaud Inc.
01.2016 - 01.2020
Vice President, Philanthropy
YMCA of Greater Providence
01.2015 - 01.2016
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Rhode Island–Greater Providence
01.2014 - 01.2015
Director of Philanthropy
WaterFire Providence
01.2012 - 01.2014
Director of Development
Community Preparatory School
01.2005 - 01.2012
B.A. - Communications
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Leadership Rhode Island
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