Desmond Riley
Falls Church,VA
Summary
A non-profit professional with a deep background in fundraising from corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors as well as experience in financial management, board relations and communications. Skilled in donor relations, including identifying, cultivating, and obtaining contributions. Manage and develop strategic planning teams to help them reach their fundraising goals. Successful in helping organizations demonstrate their impact to secure the financial resources to fulfill their mission.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Development, Strategic Planning
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
09.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges.
- Front-line fundraiser who regularly engages with corporations to pitch CSIS’s corporate membership program and benefits for companies.
- Serve as spokesman for CSIS, explaining programs, focus areas, and how funders can advance their goals by partnering with CSIS.
- Annually raise $1.5 million in unrestricted support. My portfolio of approximately 30 companies has included ADM, Bank of America, BHP, Chevron, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, and Sumitomo, and many others.
- Guide ten regional programs at CSIS in the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department to meet and exceed their organizational budget. These budgets range in size from $1.2 million to $2.5 million.
- Develop new corporate prospects and recruit new members to CSIS through regular outreach.
- Identify likely foundation supporters and conduct outreach to attract support. This outreach includes in-person meetings, phone calls, and written communication to pitch CSIS’s work. Prep research staff for meetings with foundations to demonstrate how CSIS’s research advances the foundation’s priorities.
- Host panels, lunches, and phone calls to spotlight CSIS’s work and connect it with donor interests.
Senior Officer, Foundations and Corporate Relations
RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE (RFF)
03.2018 - 09.2019
- Company Overview: Resources for the Future (RFF)’s mission is to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions through impartial economic research and policy engagement.
- Directed corporate outreach program to raise $600,000 in funds for RFF. Made compelling arguments for why corporations should support a non-advocacy, non-partisan research nonprofit. Continually marketed highly technical scientific research to a corporate audience.
- Developed new benefit and stewardship programs to attract corporate supporters. Frequently made in-person, phone, and written appeals for corporate support. Served as a spokesperson for the organization and liaison with corporate supporters, including Honda, CF Industries, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, and Aramco Services Company.
- Ensured that research staff and leadership were prepared for cultivation meetings with donors, including foundations and companies. Collaborated with RFF researchers to develop briefings that demonstrated RFF’s research impact.
- Collaborated with RFF researchers to develop persuasive letters of intent, proposals and reports to attract foundation support. Supervised Development Coordinator.
Development Director
DC APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE
09.2004 - 03.2018
- Company Overview: DC Appleseed solves problems affecting the daily lives of those who live and work in the National Capital Area.
- Directed foundation fundraising program that annually raised approximately $600,000 to support DC Appleseed’s 15 projects. Grant sizes ranged from $5,000 to $100,000. Supervised office manager and worked with four-person program staff to produce effective grant proposals.
- Organized annual fundraising event that raised between $175,000 and $330,000 in general support for the organization. Directed the organization’s and board’s outreach to businesses, law firms, and individuals who supported DC Appleseed by purchasing tickets to attend the event. Developed event program and all promotional materials to secure a crowd of 250+ attendees.
- Led individual fundraising campaign through direct mail appeals to donors, either via email or traditional letters, to solicit general operating funds for the organization. Wrote and produced organizational brochure.
- Directed fundraising communications with 30-person Board of Directors and 14-person Advisory Council, including making presentations on fundraising and keeping board members up to date about the organization’s financial situation. Directed the Development Committee of the Board of Directors in fundraising efforts and worked with individual board members to maximize outreach to their friends and colleagues to support DC Appleseed.
Public Affairs Director
EDUCATIONAL FUND TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE
06.2002 - 09.2004
- Company Overview: The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence is a not-for-profit organization and public health think tank that identifies and implements evidence-based policy solutions and programs to reduce gun violence in all its forms.
- Directed foundation fundraising program that raised approximately $600,000. Wrote proposals, reports, and letters of intent to obtain grant funding.
- Coordinated direct mail fundraising program that annually raised approximately $500,000. Directed communications with direct mail donors and wrote fundraising appeals to high-dollar donors.
- Directed email communications with high-dollar donors and other friends of the organization to highlight achievements of the organization.
- Supervised two employees including the Development Associate and Grassroots Coordinator.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Virginia
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Raiser’s Edge
- Salesforce
- Foundation Directory
- Chair, Working Parents Employee Resource Group
- Volunteer coordinator for Afghan refugee resettlement
- Past Chair, AFP Legal Fundraising Affinity Group
Timeline
Director of Development, Strategic Planning
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
09.2024 - Current
Senior Officer, Foundations and Corporate Relations
RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE (RFF)
03.2018 - 09.2019
Development Director
DC APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE
09.2004 - 03.2018
Public Affairs Director
EDUCATIONAL FUND TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE
06.2002 - 09.2004
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Virginia
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