Daniel Barton
Advancement
Ocean Springs,MS
Summary
Seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in fundraising, sales, and marketing, including over 9 years in progressively responsible fundraising and leadership roles within higher education advancement. Expertise in major and planned giving, with a history of raising millions through strategy, donor engagement, and relationship management. Skilled in campaign execution and pipeline development, utilizing a strong sales and marketing background to enhance outreach and retention efforts. Committed to achieving impactful fundraising results.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Planned Giving Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
Hattiesburg, MS
07.2019 - Current
- Secured cash and planned gifts totaling $22,828,018 as of August 2025.
- Developed and implemented strategies for complex estate planning and transformational gift opportunities to align donor interests with institutional goals.
- Drove donor discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to establish lasting philanthropic relationships.
- Collaborated with university leadership on campaign initiatives and capital project fundraising.
- Leveraged CRM tools for donor research, record-keeping, and performance assessment.
- Provided staff training on development activities to improve knowledge and effectiveness.
Interim Chief Communication Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
Hattiesburg, MS
12.2023 - 05.2024
- Directed internal and external communications during critical transition period.
- Managed and supported staff to enhance operational efficiency.
- Executed multimedia campaigns to bolster fundraising, stewardship, and branding efforts.
- Advised executive leadership on campaign communication priorities for donor engagement.
- Developed post-campaign materials, including annual report.
- Coordinated annual Gala event for over 300 benefactors, ensuring successful execution.
Interim Chief Development Officer | Senior Planned Giving Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
Mississippi Gulf Coast
05.2021 - 05.2022
- Provided strategic oversight of fundraising operations during leadership transition.
- Directed major gift strategy and managed high-level donor portfolio.
- Guided team to exceed capital campaign giving goals.
- Supported management of fundraising events, including public phase launch.
- Managed development staff to align with organizational objectives.
- Implemented staff retention incentives to strengthen team stability.
- Hired development staff and revamped job roles for enhanced performance.
Planned Gift Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
Hattiesburg, MS
02.2017 - 06.2019
- Managed portfolio of over 100 major and planned gift prospects with $25,000 or more.
- Cultivated donor relationships through engagement strategies aligned with university goals.
- Collaborated with faculty, deans, and advancement teams to identify giving opportunities.
- Secured and documented legacy gifts, trusts, and bequest intentions effectively.
- Maintained comprehensive donor records and activities using Raiser’s Edge.
- Achieved cash gifts and pledges, including Qualified Charitable Distributions.
- Consistently exceeded annual visit and solicitation benchmarks.
Development Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
Hattiesburg, MS
08.2016 - 01.2017
- Identified and cultivated major gift prospects contributing $25,000 or more.
- Expanded fundraising efforts by discovering new potential donors.
- Maintained relationships with key stakeholders to increase financial support.
- Developed stewardship plans to enhance donor retention and engagement.
- Managed silent phase campaign initiatives to maximize early support.
- Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders on fundraising priorities.
Advertising & Brand Manager
Duff Capital Investors
Hattiesburg, MS
09.2015 - 08.2016
- Directed marketing strategy for 11 companies across diverse industries.
- Developed integrated messaging for digital, print, and broadcast campaigns.
- Analyzed competitors' brands to create distinct positioning for offerings.
- Collaborated with creative teams on logo, packaging, and advertisement designs.
- Monitored industry trends to adapt branding activities effectively.
Senior Account Executive
Southern Miss IMG / IMG College
Hattiesburg, MS
09.2014 - 09.2015
- Secured corporate sponsorships while managing critical relationships with regional partners.
- Achieved 79% of annual budget in Q1 through successful business closure.
- Oversaw daily management of client accounts, ensuring superior customer satisfaction.
- Negotiated contracts with clients for advertising services and other products.
Digital Sales Manager
WDAM TV / Raycom Media
Hattiesburg, MS
07.2010 - 09.2014
- Oversaw sales strategy, budget, and delivered targeted training sessions to drive growth.
- Managed teams and evaluated sales performance metrics for continuous improvement.
- Achieved 131.49% digital sales growth in 2012 and 48.04% in 2013.
- Recognized with Internet Sales Director Award in 3rd Quarter 2011.
Marketing Sales Associate
Sysco Food Services of Jackson
Jackson, MS
11.2007 - 07.2010
- Managed 40+ customer accounts and drove 12% sales growth annually
- Achieved $2.3M in annual sales; ranked #3 in new account growth among 72 associates
Contract Sales Professional
inVentiv Health / Sanofi-Aventis
Jackson, MS
04.2007 - 09.2007
- Managed pharmaceutical sales territory of 126 providers
- Developed sales strategies to grow market share
News Reporter / Anchor
WDAM TV / Raycom Media
Hattiesburg, MS
05.2004 - 04.2007
- Produced, wrote, reported and anchored local news broadcasts
- Built strong community relationships and developed communication expertise
Skills
- Leadership and management experience
- Fundraising and relationship-building success
- Capital campaign and endowment growth
- Major and planned giving strategy
- Planned giving vehicles expertise
- Donor-centered fundraising
- Faculty and leadership collaboration
- Prospect development and discovery
- Moves management and portfolio growth
- Gift documentation, recognition societies
- Marketing and communications strategies
- Event strategy and donor stewardship
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- CRM tools: Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce
EDUCATION
B.A. Broadcast Journalism (Mass Comm) · University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS
Certification
- Member, National Association of Charitable Gift Planners
- Founding Member, Magnolia State Charitable Gift Planners
Affiliations
- Success Coach, The Center for Student Success
- Chapter Advisor, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
- Secretary & Board Member, Theta Alpha Alumni Chapter
Accomplishments
- Staff Excellence Award (Professional) · Issued by USM Office of the Provost · May 2025
- Gold Leaf Society Honoree · Issued by USM Gold Leaf Society · March 2025
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
RemoteTimeline
Interim Chief Communication Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
12.2023 - 05.2024
Interim Chief Development Officer | Senior Planned Giving Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
05.2021 - 05.2022
Senior Planned Giving Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
07.2019 - Current
Planned Gift Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
02.2017 - 06.2019
Development Officer
University of Southern Mississippi Foundation
08.2016 - 01.2017
Advertising & Brand Manager
Duff Capital Investors
09.2015 - 08.2016
Senior Account Executive
Southern Miss IMG / IMG College
09.2014 - 09.2015
Digital Sales Manager
WDAM TV / Raycom Media
07.2010 - 09.2014
Marketing Sales Associate
Sysco Food Services of Jackson
11.2007 - 07.2010
Contract Sales Professional
inVentiv Health / Sanofi-Aventis
04.2007 - 09.2007
News Reporter / Anchor
WDAM TV / Raycom Media
05.2004 - 04.2007
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