Eric Knight
COO
Oxnard,CA
Summary
Strong Director with track record delivering superior results. Focused leader with 7 years of experience finding innovative ways to grow revenue, support, and diversity. Experience managing a multi-million dollar budget, and building meaningful relationships with stakeholders, donors, and vendors.
Qualifications Currently Development Director at the Museum of Ventura County, responsible for donor cultivation and stewardship, including capital campaigns, annual giving, foundation and corporate support, endowment giving, planned giving, membership, and special fundraising events. Revenue during my 2 1/2 years at MVC is over $9.5 million.
Prior to nonprofit, spent 8 years in the entertainment industry managing a production company, involved in content creation and content finance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Development Director
Museum of Ventura County
07.2019 - Current
- Coordinate all aspects of Annual Giving: major gifts, direct mail campaigns, foundation support, sponsorships, special events, memberships, and more
- Working with Directors team, consulting on all operations, facilities, staffing, special projects, financial budgeting and oversight.
- Develops and cultivate contacts with community organizations, attending meetings, delivering presentations, and promoting the Museum's fundraising programs
- Work with Board and staff to develop vision & strategy in creating and executing a long-range plan to ensure adequate funding for Museum operations
- Work with Museum staff directors’ team, Executive Director, and the Board of Directors to develop vision and strategy for the Museum, and implement programs and strategies that support that vision.
Senior Development Manager
American Cancer Society
Ventura, CA
07.2015 - 07.2019
- Directed income development efforts using industry-specific tools to increase revenue and overall event returns
- Responsible for achieving significant income goals related to cultivation of new business revenue streams for 15 signature ACS events
- Serve as a mentor and coach to Community Development Managers, supporting their strategies for reaching portfolio goals
- New Business Income opportunities include cultivating sponsorships and/or teams for Relay For Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, ACS Gala (Distinguished Events)
- Major gift donors, third party relationships, and innovation partnerships with startup sector stakeholders
- Serve in a training capacity inside and outside the Region, including volunteer training.
Head of Development
Holding Pictures
Santa Monica, CA
08.2012 - 04.2014
- Television, Theatrical and Stage
- Responsible for comprehensive film and television project development
- Worked directly with CEO Charlie Lyons (“Air Force One”, “Spy Game”, “The Guardian”, “Ladder 49”) on fundraising / investor relations for raising working capital to be channeled to both project development and company overhead.
Director of Development / Office Manager
And Then Productions
Santa Monica, CA
03.2006 - 07.2012
- Responsible for ushering approximately two dozen film and television projects from inception through varying stages of development
- Established workflow processes to maximize productivity between financiers, agents, managers, PR firms, executives, writers and directors
- Facilitated contract negotiations and source material rights between attorneys and talent representation
- Provided creative notes for celebrities, directors, writers, financiers, television networks and film studios
- Projects included “Spring/Fall” for HBO with Téa Leoni; “Born To Rock” for CBS Films; and “Man Made Man” written by Oscar nominated Ron Nyswaner for an independent financier
- Responsible for office management, including administrative management, facilities management, budgeting, and accounts payable
- Interviewed, hired, managed and supervised interns.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Film Studies
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, ILSkills
Project Management
Gift strategies
Public speaking
Sales and marketing
Membership oversight
Fundraising outcomes and assessments
Records oversight and accuracy
Data analysis
Database Management
Review of contracts
Business development and planning
New Business Development
Coaching and mentoring
Analytical problem solver
Strategic planning
Accomplishments
- Cohort XXIV – Ventura County Leadership Academy
- Graduate of CTI – Coaches Training Institute
- Graduate of the American Cancer Society’s exclusive program NMDP – Nationwide Manager Development Program
- Public speaking and presenting
- Planning and execution of fundraising campaigns and initiatives
- Senior team leader responsible for cultivating a resonant, positive, productive culture
- Passion and enthusiasm for the mission, vision, and values of UCLA Health
Affiliations
- Surfrider Foundation
- Lions Club
- Lions Leadership Institute
- CLU Center for Nonprofit Leadership
- Ventura County Leadership Academy
- CTI - Co-Active Training Institute
- American Cancer Society's Nationwide Leadership Development Program
Certification
Certified Fund Raising Executive
Timeline
Development Director
Museum of Ventura County
07.2019 - Current
Senior Development Manager
American Cancer Society
07.2015 - 07.2019
Head of Development
Holding Pictures
08.2012 - 04.2014
Director of Development / Office Manager
And Then Productions
03.2006 - 07.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Film Studies
Columbia College Chicago