Jennifer Compton
Clayton,NC
Summary
Highly creative and results-driven professional with passion, drive, and vision. Over 20 years’ experience with managing engagement activities and fostering community connections. Utilizes excellent communication and organizational skills to streamline processes and enhance team efficiency. Track record of successfully executing projects and driving impactful results.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Seasonal School Engagement Coordinator
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
10.2024 - Current
- Support the Regional VP and eight Youth Market Directors in NC and SC in their engagement with 3900+ area schools
- Update and ensure accuracy of online sales databases, update school event webpages, personalize standard marketing materials for area schools, design custom marketing materials as needed, work with local and online print sites on the production of collateral materials (signs, flyers, etc.), deliver materials to local schools, make bank deposits, and assist in scheduling meetings with hard-to-reach schools
Advancement Associate
ST. PAUL VI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
09.2021 - 04.2022
- Responsible for Raiser’s Edge database management including annual entry of 300+ new students/families, data updates, gift entry, donor acknowledgement letters, monthly reconciliations, and annual auditing assistance, as well as preparation of giving lists for the Annual Report
- Conducted donor prospect research and prepared detailed reports for stewardship outreach
- Assisted with preparations for the annual donor appreciation event as well as the annual Grandparents Day event
- Created a department SOP manual for Raiser’s Edge database administration
- Created a weekly donation report for senior leadership and key personnel to ensure donor recognition and appreciation
- Improved communications and procedures between the Advancement and Finance departments
- Developed recruitment plans and actively secured new partners through independent research, prospecting and volunteer relationship building.
- Played a key role in organizing volunteer appreciation events, strengthening relationships between volunteers and the organization.
- Enhanced donor relations by maintaining consistent communication and providing regular updates on the impact of their contributions.
- Coordinated targeted fundraising projects and maintained donor partnerships as requested by management.
- Facilitated collaboration among staff departments within the organization to ensure streamlined operations and efficient processes in support of fundraising goals.
Advancement Associate
OAKCREST SCHOOL
07.2018 - 09.2021
- Collaborate with the Director of Institutional Advancement on Annual Fund strategies, communications, monthly newsletter, and events
- Responsible for Raiser’s Edge database management including all data updates, gift entry, donor acknowledgement letters, monthly reconciliations, and annual auditing assistance, as well as preparation of giving lists for the Annual Report
- Manage and coordinate all details of stewardship events including but not limited to two annual Patrons of the Arts receptions, Capital Campaign events, stewardship and donor receptions, Grandparents Day, and Veteran’s Day
- Additionally manage major donor stewardship gifts, donor meeting needs, Oakcrest Christmas cards and major donor annual Christmas ornaments
- Increased revenue from Patrons of the Arts receptions by 35% from $15,000 annually to $20,000; increased attendance by 50%
- Organized all details for Athletic Center Groundbreaking event with 200+ attendees resulting in additional $1 million gift
- Initiated new annual collectible ornament tradition for top donors
Director of Annual Giving
ST. MARY’S RYKEN HIGH SCHOOL
12.2015 - 12.2016
- Responsible for the strategic execution and management of a comprehensive annual giving program with a coordinated matrix of communication and solicitation strategies involving email, direct mail, phone, personal visitation, and volunteer engagement, all focused on shaping a sustainable tradition of annual support
- Managed and coordinated all details of the school's annual events including a gala (400+), run/walk (150+), and memorial golf tournament & dinner (150+)
- Wrote, edited, and coordinated the design and production of the 2016 Annual Report
- Increased participation at annual Run/Walk by 60% with new advertising/promotions plan & in-kind sponsorship appeal
- Increased revenue from direct mail appeals by 30% through addition of a holiday appeal and thank you emails/phone calls to all annual fund donors regardless of gift size
INDEPENDENT MARKETING & FUNDRAISING CONTRACTOR
10.2007 - 12.2015
- 2015 Contracted with University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center to provide grant research
- 2013 Contracted with Mote Management for the design of marketing materials
- 2007 Contracted with College of Southern Maryland to edit and submit second National Science Foundation grant
Fundraising and Events Manager
UM CHARLES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
07.2005 - 10.2007
- Managed and coordinated all details of Foundation’s annual events including a Mardi Gras Ball (800+ attendees), Wine Tasting (500+), Run/Walk (450+), Crab Feast (400+), and memorial program (75+)
- Responsible for 10–20-member event volunteer committees, all event advertising placement and design, event budgets, permits, vendor agreements and marketing plans
- Assisted Executive Director in the planning and execution of a $5 million capital campaign to include the internal and external distribution of campaign materials, marketing and press, donor meetings, and related fundraising and marketing events
- Increased participation at the 2007 annual run/walk from 200 to 452 participants by instituting new timing techniques and online advertising tools
- Created a one-of-a-kind wine tasting event preview party to strengthen relationships with vendors, donors, and the local paper, ultimately guaranteeing an annual free, full-page article for the event
- Increased attendance at 2006 Wine Tasting by 25% using online advertising tools
Communications Specialist
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND
07.2002 - 07.2005
- Planned and coordinated annual college advertising and promotions plan for the four campuses of CSM and its Corporate and Community Training Institute (CCTI)
- Advertising efforts included television, radio, billboard, newspaper, and magazine ads as well as flyers, postcards, brochures, schedules of classes, etc
- Responsibilities included: overseeing all expenditures in the advertising budget, serving as liaison with media representatives to place advertising, negotiating rates, and developing contracts; working with designers in the creative development of ads and promotional materials; writing and editing copy for brochures, newsletters, radio spots, etc
- And designing promotional materials as needed using PageMaker, FrontPage, Photoshop, or Illustrator
- Developed advertising/promotions plan for Waldorf Center campus which increased enrollment for the fall 2003 semester by 11% through promotions never used by CSM before
- Developed advertising plan for the 2004 Job Fair resulting in a 20% increase over 2003
- Developed, scheduled, and coordinated all aspects of CSM’s first television advertising campaign, which appeared on two different networks and helped the college realize its highest fall enrollment
Grants Development Specialist
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND
12.2001 - 07.2002
- Conducted corporate and foundation prospect research for all departments on the four campuses of the college
- Oversaw the preparation, development, submission and follow-through of all grant applications including project descriptions, performance goals, methods for evaluation as well as cost analysis and budget
- Designed and coordinated new college-wide grants development process
- Aided in the design of annual fundraising plan for the CSM Foundation
- Coordinated, authored and edited a three-year- $220,000 Advanced Technological Education proposal to the National Science Foundation for Engineering Technology, which was awarded to CSM in July of 2003, their first
- I was awarded the CSM’s Presidents Award for my efforts
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Colorado
CO05.2000
Skills
- Database Management
- Corporate Event Planning & Coordination
- Volunteer Management
- Fundraising
- Budget Management
- Grant Writing
- Vendor Negotiation
- Graphic Design
- Strategic thinking
- Organizational skills
- Excellent communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Planning and coordination
Timeline
Seasonal School Engagement Coordinator
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
10.2024 - Current
Advancement Associate
ST. PAUL VI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
09.2021 - 04.2022
Advancement Associate
OAKCREST SCHOOL
07.2018 - 09.2021
Director of Annual Giving
ST. MARY’S RYKEN HIGH SCHOOL
12.2015 - 12.2016
INDEPENDENT MARKETING & FUNDRAISING CONTRACTOR
10.2007 - 12.2015
Fundraising and Events Manager
UM CHARLES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
07.2005 - 10.2007
Communications Specialist
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND
07.2002 - 07.2005
Grants Development Specialist
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND
12.2001 - 07.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Colorado