Jennifer Cullen
(she/her) New York,NY
Summary
Strategic development professional with extensive experience in individual giving, donor cultivation, and membership program management. Proficient in designing and executing donor engagement strategies, event planning, and data-driven growth initiatives. Proven ability to foster relationships that drive revenue and support institutional goals. Known for adaptability and consistently meeting changing organizational needs.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager of Donor Programs
Signature Theatre
10.2023 - Current
- Manage a portfolio of about 100 donors in our Patron Program from $1,000-$10,000, as well as 30 Groundbreakers (Young Donor Program) from $500-$2,500.
- Track moves management for the Development Team through Tessitura
- Greet over 100 donors through the runs of our show to engage and cultivate them, resulting in 15% increasing their gifts
- Research new donor prospects, as well as current donors, to identify and solicit both new and increased gifts
- Oversee and implement comprehensive year-round solicitation strategies, which includes two large scale mailings per year, to maintain 85% donor retention and increase donor acquisition to 15%
- Execute donor events around performances (Patron Night, Groundbreakers Night, Corporate Partnership Night, Opening Night), as well as outside events (Gala, Benefit Readings etc.)
- Provide analytics and data on moves management, cashflow, and donor metrics to the Development Team and Executive Leadership
Sales Assistant
Disney Theatrical Group
02.2022 - 10.2023
- Handled all priority house seat ticketing for Disney On Broadway and our National Tours
- Supported the Sales Team through The Lion King's 25th Anniversary on Broadway by managing VIP ticketing and experience
- Maintained relationships with other Broadway venues/management to provide them with Disney on Broadway house seats
- Managed calendars for the VP of Sales and Analytics and the VP of Marketing, Publicity, Sales and Education (MPSE)
- Ran monthly cross departmental meeting for the MPSE team
- Provided support for VP meetings with President, Managing Director, Producing Director as well as meeting with other divisions of The Walt Disney Company, including Bob Iger
Development Manager
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
06.2019 - 02.2022
- Lead the planning and execution of three annual mail solicitation initiatives per year, which have resulted in an overall 15% increase in giving across mail, online and Wishmaker magazine responses
- Partnered with area schools via our our Kids For Wish Kids (KFWK) K-12 fundraising to support them in their fundraising, resulting in an average of $20,000 per year
- Supported the Development Team through the Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign, which resulted in over $220,000 in 2020 - a 5% increase from 2019, and the highest total to date.
- Implemented robust documentation practices for Raiser's Edge that facilitated knowledge sharing within the development team and improved overall productivity.
- Provided training and support for our peer-to-peer fundraisers, including website training and crafting fundraising asks/language
- Managed external events & support the organizers of those events as needed
- Executed donor stewardship throughout the year, including donor acknowledgements, holiday cards, one-on-one meetings and thank-a-thons
- Oversaw a donor portfolio of about 50 donors and contacts implementing moves management strategies to grow giving levels
- Presented moves management updates during executive meetings to maintain transparency around progress towards donor retention/stewardship and acquisition while addressing any concerns raised by the Director of Development, CEO or COO.
Board Liaison
Proctors Collaborative
03.2016 - 06.2019
- Managed contact with the Boards for Proctors, theREP and UPH
- Scheduled all Board and Committee meetings, distributed materials and took minutes when necessary
- Acted as staff liaison for Proctors Governance Committee, and Proctors Collaborative Strategic Planning Committee
- Managed Board materials through BoardMax online portal
- Assisted Board members with portal training as necessary
- Became primary point of contact for the members of all three Boards
Relationships Assistant & Board Liason
Proctors Collaborative
12.2015 - 06.2019
- Provided administrative support for all fundraising efforts for Proctors, Capital Repertory Theatre (theREP) and Universal Preservation Hall (UPH)
- Delivered all donor benefits to donors for all three venues
- Provided exceptional customer service to upwards of 50 donors a day for ticket purchases, donation questions and processing
- Oversaw a new intern each semester
- Provided organizational and administrative support for three Capital Campaigns
- Executed Major Donor events for all three organizations
- Assisted the Annual Fund Manager with a yearlong solicitation campaign generating over $2 Million
- Assisted Manager of Special Events as needed with two Galas yearly (Proctors & theREP), as well as other events (Red, White & Brew, Over The Edge, etc)
- Acted as Development Team Representative on the planning committee for the Annual Theatre Manager Conference
- Managed contact with the Boards for Proctors, theREP and UPH
- Scheduled all Board and Committee meetings, distributed materials and took minutes when necessary
- Acted as staff liaison for Proctors Governance Committee, and Proctors Collaborative Strategic Planning Committee
Education
B.A. - Creative Arts (Performance), English
Siena College
Loudonville, NY05-2013
Skills
- CRM Proficiency (Salesforce, Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge, Tessitura)
- Project Management (Asana)
- Microsoft Office suite
- Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
- Fundraising & Revenue Analysis
- Event Planning & Execution
Involvement and leadership - Professional
- Category 3 Fundraising Representative for Make-A-Wish Chapters.
- CRM Superuser for Make-A-Wish Enterprise.
- Lead sessions on development data and reporting at the Annual Theatre Manager Conference.
- Development Department Representative for Proctors Collaborative 'Excellence In Customer Service' Team.
Training
- 2019 ENLA Fellow: Emerging Non-Profit Leadership Accelerator, Institute of Non-Profit Leadership and Community Development at the University of Albany, 10/2019
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certificate, USF Muma College of Business
Timeline
Manager of Donor Programs
Signature Theatre
10.2023 - Current
Sales Assistant
Disney Theatrical Group
02.2022 - 10.2023
Development Manager
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
06.2019 - 02.2022
Board Liaison
Proctors Collaborative
03.2016 - 06.2019
Relationships Assistant & Board Liason
Proctors Collaborative
12.2015 - 06.2019
B.A. - Creative Arts (Performance), English
Siena College