Daniel Buzzell
Van Horne,IA
Summary
Highly motivated and dynamic development leader with over 10 years of experience in fundraising, management. Collaborative approach to excel in building relationships with internal stakeholders and external constituents to match the needs of the organization with the intent and capacity of donors. Knowledgeable in annual giving and leadership giving fundraising best practices. Over 10 years of experience in Division I collegiate athletics with in-depth knowledge of NCAA guidelines and regulations. Confident leader among peers with demonstrated success.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director of Leadership Giving, Athletics
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH
08.2023 - Current
- Oversee and provide support for athletics annual giving program
- Maintain active portfolio of 250+ leadership giving prospects rated at $25K -$100K with regular engagement spending approximately 70% of time on direct fundraising efforts including qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
- Meet weekly with Director of Athletics to review fundraising goals and athletics initiatives
- Meet monthly with Head Coaches to discuss leadership prospects and fundraising needs
- Meet quarterly with Director of Athletics Advisory Board to review and strategize athletics fundraising goals, priorities and athletics capital projects
- On pace to surpass FY24 individual goal of 120 personal visits and $350K in solicitation revenue
- Attend athletics events to cultivate and steward athletics leadership donors
- Utilize CRM software to track donor engagement, visits and interactions
- Assist in development of UNH’s leadership giving program.
Director of Annual Giving, Athletics
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH
08.2022 - 07.2023
- Managed and supervised all aspects of athletics annual giving program
- Managed portfolio of 350+ prospects rated at $5K -$25K with regular engagement spending approximately 50% of time on direct fundraising efforts
- Exceeded FY23 individual goals - raised $333K (122% of goal) and conducted 176 personal visits (35% of goal)
- Surpassed FY23 athletics unit fundraising goals – raised $975K and earned 27.5% participation
- Supervised 2 full-time athletics annual giving team fundraisers
- Accountable for goals and performance of each direct report and overall unit goals
- Met weekly with Director of Athletics to review fundraising goals and athletics initiatives
- Met monthly with Head Coaches to discuss athletics fundraising strategies and priorities
- Met quarterly with Director of Athletics Advisory Board to review and strategize athletics fundraising goals and priorities
- Collaborated with central annual giving to surpass University wide fundraising goals
- Oversaw and guided all aspects of athletics strategy and success during The (603) Challenge
- Attend athletics events to cultivate and steward athletics leadership donors
- Utilize CRM software to track donor engagement, visits and interactions.
Associate Director of Athletics Development
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH
05.2016 - 07.2022
- Coordinated and produced all aspects of athletics annual giving program
- Developed yearly strategic plan
- Planned and implemented multi-channel communications calendar
- Developed a robust, personalized stewardship program
- Analyzed and executed decisions based on data-driven metrics and performance
- Managed portfolio of 450+ annual fund prospects with regular engagement
- Exceeded individual revenue and visit goals from FY16 through FY22
- Met or exceeded athletics unit fundraising goals from FY16 through FY22 with consistent year-over-year growth in performance
- 100% growth in dollars raised from FY16 to FY22
- 29.5% five-year average athletic alumni participation rate
- Achieved record $1.3M raised in FY22 with participation rate of 30%
- Met regularly with Head Coaches to prioritize fundraising needs and develop case for support
- Met regularly with Athletics Senior Staff to strategize on fundraising goals and priorities
- Coordinated with central annual giving team to surpass University wide fundraising goals
- Produced all aspects of The (603) Challenge, UNH’s annual weeklong fundraiser
- Recruited and managed 90 athletic alumni volunteers
- Planned, wrote and designed custom sport-specific solicitations
- Managed segmentation of audiences based on interests and data driven metrics
- Increased achievement in 6 straight years topping at $950K raised
- Hired, trained and supervised 4-6 student interns on an annual basis.
Director of Annual Giving, Athletics
Towson University
Towson, MD
11.2014 - 05.2016
- Managed and coordinated all aspects of athletics annual fund
- Achieved record high $1M raised from 1,240 donors in FY15
- Increased participation in alumni athlete challenge by 250%
- Managed a portfolio of 50 lead annual fund prospects and exceeded visit goals
- Conducted 200 personal solicitations and 100 season ticket renewals
- Coordinated all stewardship activity including annual Thank-A-Thon
- Managed one full-time staff member and 6-10 part-time interns.
Graduate Assistant, Athletics Development
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
08.2013 - 06.2014
- Assisted in all aspects of UCONN Athletics annual fund
- Solicited annual gifts and football ticket renewals via phone from season ticket holders
- Developed and established a database of more than 8,000 former student-athletes
- Assisted with development of the 2014 annual fund donor guide
- Assisted all donor relation event planning (pre-game functions, courtside seat invitations).
Education
Master of Science - Sports Management
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 08.2012 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Sports Management & Leadership
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 08.2007 - 05.2012
Skills
CRMs: Blackbaud, Paciolan, Evertrue, Reeher, the Zoo, Archtics, University Tickets
undefinedProficiencies
Blackbaud, Paciolan, Evertrue, Reeher, the Zoo, Archtics, University Tickets, Microsoft Office 365, BOX, Tableau, iModules, Constant Contact, Adobe Suite, Kronos, relationship building, time management, written and verbal communication, strategic planning, creative thinking and problem solving
Timeline
Director of Leadership Giving, Athletics
University of New Hampshire
08.2023 - Current
Director of Annual Giving, Athletics
University of New Hampshire
08.2022 - 07.2023
Associate Director of Athletics Development
University of New Hampshire
05.2016 - 07.2022
Director of Annual Giving, Athletics
Towson University
11.2014 - 05.2016
Graduate Assistant, Athletics Development
University of Connecticut
08.2013 - 06.2014
Master of Science - Sports Management
University of Connecticut
08.2012 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Sports Management & Leadership
University of New Hampshire
08.2007 - 05.2012
Similar Profiles
Taylor GallagherTaylor Gallagher
Assistant Director of Admissions at University Of New HampshireAssistant Director of Admissions at University Of New Hampshire
Joey HererJoey Herer
Facilities Project Manager at University of New HampshireFacilities Project Manager at University of New Hampshire
Cat CaseyCat Casey
English and Composition Instructor at University Of New HampshireEnglish and Composition Instructor at University Of New Hampshire
Joseph HerrickJoseph Herrick
Bus Driver at University Of New HampshireBus Driver at University Of New Hampshire
Taylor LazenbyTaylor Lazenby
Sales Coordinator at Sky Ford Chevy NewhallSales Coordinator at Sky Ford Chevy Newhall