DONNA GOWER
Spring,TX
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Institutional Giving and Development Operations
Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc.
04.2022 - Current
- Managed the Development Database (Raiser’s Edge 7.7), including ensuring integrity of data and all records
- Managed the gift entry process to ensure entry is accurate and corrections and adjustments are made as needed
- Provided oversight of the management of foundation, corporation and individual donor files, including: donor research, advising the team about potential donors, reviewing, editing, packaging and submitting proposals
- Collaborated with Chief Development Officer to compile annual reports to funders
- Provided oversight of all donor acknowledgements
- Provided operations support to the Chief Development Officer and the Development team, including team scheduling needs
- Supported Chief Development Officer, Donor Outreach Manager and Special Events Manager to determine and implement strategies to retain and increase giving from current donors, identify and cultivate new donors, and reach out to lapsed donors
- Responsible for list building and mailings for key special events, monthly e-newsletter, direct mail, donor touchpoints, and other fundraising initiatives, as requested
- Produced accurate and timely queries and reports such as revenue reports, pledge reports, board giving reports
- Provided exceptional, seamless service to donors, prospective donors and other foundation constituencies.
Senior Development Director
The Brookwood Community
06.2021 - 03.2022
- Annual Fall fundraiser - Develops and executes a solicitation plan for the annual “peer-to-peer” fundraising program that raises over $800,000 annually for Brookwood
- Recruit, train, assist and report to teams of volunteer fundraisers; set up and maintain the online fundraising platform; plan and implement logistics and communication collateral; solicit and steward donors
- Biennial Luncheon or Gala - Working closely with Brookwood leadership and volunteer committee, develop and execute a fundraising plan for the spring event that typically raise over $750,000 annually
- Manage venue and catering logistics, audio-visual vendors, graphic designer and printers for collateral materials and mailings
- Working closely with event chairs, identify prospects and execute solicitation strategy, including host committee, underwriting, invitations, and pledge collection
- Open House - Coordinate logistics for the annual two-day Christmas Open House including volunteer and staff lunches, self-guided campus tours, directional signage, volunteer assignments, and communications including fliers, emails, social media posts, and information sheets
- Cultivation and Stewardship - Maintain a portfolio of key individual donors who support Brookwood
- Working closely with Brookwood leadership, plan and implement donor cultivation and stewardship events such as donor tours, lunches, dinners
- General duties - Assist Chief Advancement Officer with identifying prospects and developing solicitation and stewardship strategies; assist with grant writing; donor records; and communications
- Prepare materials and reports as needed for Board meetings; assist update donor actions in Raisers Edge; order and stock inventory of supplies for events.
Manager of Donor Records
Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc.
07.2013 - 06.2021
- Managed the Development Database (Raiser’s Edge 7.7), including ensuring integrity of data and all records
- Managed the gift entry process to ensure entry is accurate and corrections and adjustments are made as needed
- Provided oversight of the management of foundation, corporation and individual donor files, including: donor research, advising the team about potential donors, reviewing, editing, packaging and submitting proposals
- Collaborated with Chief Development Officer to compile annual reports to funders
- Provided oversight of all donor acknowledgements
- Provided operations support to the Chief Development Officer and the Development team, including team scheduling needs
- Supported Chief Development Officer, Donor Outreach Manager and Special Events Manager to determine and implement strategies to retain and increase giving from current donors, identify and cultivate new donors, and reach out to lapsed donors
- Responsible for list building and mailings for key special events, monthly e-newsletter, direct mail, donor touchpoints, and other fundraising initiatives, as requested
- Produced accurate and timely queries and reports such as revenue reports, pledge reports, board giving reports
- Provided exceptional, seamless service to donors, prospective donors and other foundation constituencies.
Manager of Development Operations and Database
Neighborhood Centers Inc.
10.2010 - 07.2013
- Worked with Vice President of Fund Development and Development Team to identify, plan and execute all aspects of the fund development plan, including individual giving, volunteer coordination, corporate and foundation grant proposals and reports, and special events
- Ensured that all operations of the Development team were efficient and effective
- Oversaw all database related efforts including: analysis, data entry, data management, and reporting
- Ensured donor cultivation was maximized with accurate, timely, and meaningful information
- Developed and maintained appropriate messages on website for fundraising initiatives
- Oversaw technical aspects of identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of annual and major gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations
- Prepared updates on fundraising status on a weekly basis and prepares stakeholder reports as necessary.
Director of Development
First Baptist Academy
02.2008 - 08.2009
- Developed cultivation and solicitation strategies necessary to secure annual, capital and major gifts
- Worked closely with board, administrators, faculty, and staff to plan the cultivation of donors
- Planned and produced materials to solicit individual and corporate underwriters for annual gala/auction
- Wrote grant proposals and reports
- Coordinated donor recognition and all special events
- Provided exceptional, seamless service to donors, prospective donors and other Foundation constituencies.
Associate Director of Major and Capital Giving
Houston Christian High School
08.2005 - 02.2008
- Developed cultivation and solicitation strategies necessary to secure annual, capital and major gifts
- Along with Director of Advancement, coordinated the school’s first-ever capital campaign for performing arts and athletics facilities, raising $11.8 million
- Worked closely with superiors to plan the cultivation of donors
- Planned and produced materials to solicit individual and corporate underwriters for annual gala
- Wrote grant proposals and reports
- Coordinated donor recognition, annual solicitation for financial aid/scholarships, and all special events
- Provided exceptional, seamless service to donors, prospective donors and other Foundation constituencies.
Donor Services Manager
Greater Houston Community Foundation
01.2004 - 08.2005
- Provided exceptional, seamless service to donors, prospective donors and other Foundation constituencies
- Managed weekly grant processing
- Administered scholarship programs
- Facilitated donor and community events.
Donor Services Associate
Greater Houston Community Foundation
01.2004 - 08.2005
- Provided exceptional, seamless service to donors, prospective donors and other Foundation constituencies
- Managed weekly grant processing
- Administered scholarship programs
- Facilitated donor and community events.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
University of Houston
Houston, TX12.1994
Skills
- Exceptional verbal and written communication
- Operations Oversight
- Fundraising Campaign Development
- Records Organization and Management
- Performance Evaluation and Monitoring
- Goal Setting
- Donor Relations and stewardship
- Fundraising Events
- Grant writing and reporting
Timeline
Director of Institutional Giving and Development Operations
Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc.
04.2022 - Current
Senior Development Director
The Brookwood Community
06.2021 - 03.2022
Manager of Donor Records
Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc.
07.2013 - 06.2021
Manager of Development Operations and Database
Neighborhood Centers Inc.
10.2010 - 07.2013
Director of Development
First Baptist Academy
02.2008 - 08.2009
Associate Director of Major and Capital Giving
Houston Christian High School
08.2005 - 02.2008
Donor Services Manager
Greater Houston Community Foundation
01.2004 - 08.2005
Donor Services Associate
Greater Houston Community Foundation
01.2004 - 08.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
University of Houston
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