Dane Grams
Miami Beach,FL
Summary
Passionate and accomplished fundraising and marketing professional with nearly three decades of directly related and incredibly challenging, hands-on experience. Conceived and directed the strategic planning and implementation of innovative, integrated and award-winning direct marketing and digital campaigns that have helped marquee organizations establish identities, build strong brands, and inspire millions of individuals to support meaningful causes with both their voices, and their dollars.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Membership
Human Rights Campaign
06.2023 - Current
- Oversee the largest national LGBTQ+ membership program recruiting, retaining, mobilizing, and fundraising from more than 3 million members and supporters.
- Responsible for a diverse, sophisticated multi-channel direct response and marketing program which channels include direct mail, telemarketing, email marketing, SMS communications, digital advertising, canvassing, peer-to-peer giving, and community based events.
- Continually maintained and improved company's reputation and positive image in markets served.
- Devised content strategy to effectively engage target audiences who believe in our work and have the means to contribute
- Manage a talented, productive, and happy team of 18 full time people including three senior direct reports.
- Raised nearly $25 million this fiscal year closing on March 31, 2024, the most revenue generated from members in the history of the organization, up 38% since returning to HRC a decade ago.
- Reached a record 100,000 monthly sustainers in 2023 who collectively contribute $1.3 million per month in steady, reliable income.
- As a member of the senior management team, contributed to the development and launch of HRC's new, ambitious five-year North Star strategic plan to build people power to 5 million, disrupt political systems and deal hope to millions in need.
- Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
Membership Director
Human Rights Campaign
09.2015 - 05.2023
- Promoted to serve as HRC's third Membership Director after delivering unprecedented stability, growth and brand recognition and emerged as one of the most recognizable and fastest growing organizations in the wake of Donald Trump's election.
- Constructed the annual budget, monitor program revenue and expenses with a strong focus on analyzing data and improving performance including interpreting and presenting program results to executives and board leadership.
- Successfully led HRC's membership team during and coming out of COVID - most notably raising more than $400,000 from creating and implementing HRC's branded and identity themed mask campaign HRC Gives Back.
- Tested and implemented an automatic annual renewal program (annual sustainers) that now accounts for $1.3 million in reliable annual income.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with headquarters, regional and other teams nationally to maintain consistent message and experience.
Director, Direct Response & Monthly Giving
Human Rights Campaign
04.2013 - 08.2015
- Led the overall strategy, day-to-day implementation, integration and management of a large and sophisticated direct response program, raising over $18 million annually.
- Oversaw all the direct response channels, mid-level giving invitations and member services, including the management of external vendor partners, campaign production, the internal approval processes, inter-departmental relations and aspects of data management.
- Served as primary manager the budgeting process working alongside finance team, monitored program revenue and expenses, analyzed and interpreted program results to consistently innovate and improve performance.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
National Director, Direct Response
Amnesty International
01.2013 - 04.2013
- Managed a $21 million direct response revenue budget including $6 million from monthly donors (two-thirds of the organization’s gross revenue budget); managed a $9 million expense budget.
- Coordinated the backend operations for a $36 million development program including all gift processing and database administration.
- Created and oversaw the implementation of the organization's board approved Sustainer Expansion Project to recruit more than 10,000 new monthly donors over 12 months in order put the organization back on the path to financial stability.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
Director, Nonprofit Services & Business Development
Care2
12.2011 - 01.2013
- Served as the head of Care2 for the New York City metropolitan market.
- Managed the relationships of dozens of nonprofit clients including the ASPCA, UNICEF, Walk Free, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Make-A-Wish Foundation, African Wildlife Foundation, Helen Keller International, Human Rights Campaign and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
- Created custom proposals and designed innovative campaign strategies that help nonprofit organizations raise their visibility, achieve their mission, and become more financially stable. Consulted and advised nonprofits on best practices for recruiting and retaining online subscribers and converting them to long-term direct response donors.
Senior Director of Development
GLSEN
03.2009 - 12.2011
- Responsible for all revenue generating programs including major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, special events, and direct response and online marketing.
- GLSEN had a $7 million revenue budget which grew more then 20 percent during my tenure.
- Produced two annual sold-out galas each year including the Respect Awards in New York and Los Angeles which grew generate $1 million each.
- Launched GLSEN's Safe Space Campaign to get our safe school resources in every public school in the country, which helped secure significant corporate and foundation funding, including winning $250,0000 from the Pepsi Refresh Challenge..
- Conducted research to identify goals, net worth and charitable donation history related to potential donors, potential investors or general donor markets.
Online Strategy Director
Human Rights Campaign
09.1997 - 02.2009
- Founding director of HRC's first online strategy department reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, after previously serving in various development capacities including Deputy Development Director for Direct Marketing & Director of Annual Giving.
- In this position, I helped build one of the most successful online advocacy and fundraising programs in the nonprofit industry gaining notoriety for acquiring more than 1 million online constituents via our Millions for Marriage Equality campaign.
- Recruited to manage the direct marketing and advertising portion of HRC's capital campaign Building Equality for our first national headquarters in Washington, DC.
Direct Marketing Manager
Greenpeace
02.1994 - 08.1997
- Cut my teeth at one of the most recognizable brands in the non-profit advocacy world, first as Assistant to the Development Director, then Telemarketing Coordinator, then as Direct Manager during a nearly four-year span.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Law, Economics & Government
American University
Washington, DC12-1993
Skills
- Senior Management Level Experience & Trusted Team Leadership
- Multi-Channel Direct Response Marketing and Advertising With Proven Results
- Skilled, Passionate Copywriter & Communicator
- Development, Fundraising & Marketing Expertise
- Responsible for a Large Customer Service Operation
- Digital Advocacy, Mobilization & Fundraising Strategy
- Strong Experience with Recurring Giving
- Board & Volunteer Relations
- Sizeable Budgeting & Financial Responsibility
- Understanding of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Harnessing People Power including Motivational & Values Based Leadership
- Managed Multi-Million Dollar Membership Growth Investments
- Deep Digital Marketing Experience with a Data Driven Mindset
- Dependable, Responsible and Calm under pressure
- Developed Award Winning Marketing Strategies Including Conception, Copywriting and Campaign Execution
- Published Numerous Articles in Industry Publications as well as being Profiled and Featured in Several Industry Publications
Timeline
Vice President of Membership
Human Rights Campaign
06.2023 - Current
Membership Director
Human Rights Campaign
09.2015 - 05.2023
Director, Direct Response & Monthly Giving
Human Rights Campaign
04.2013 - 08.2015
National Director, Direct Response
Amnesty International
01.2013 - 04.2013
Director, Nonprofit Services & Business Development
Care2
12.2011 - 01.2013
Senior Director of Development
GLSEN
03.2009 - 12.2011
Online Strategy Director
Human Rights Campaign
09.1997 - 02.2009
Direct Marketing Manager
Greenpeace
02.1994 - 08.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Law, Economics & Government
American University
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