Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Jennifer Merlette

Eden,NY

Summary

Results-oriented and experienced development professional whose strengths include strong communication, donor management and interpersonal skills. Extensive background in the strategic planning, creation, and management of all aspects of non-profit fundraising, encompassing a wide range of constituencies.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Advancement Officer

Burchfield Penney Art Center
06.2016 - Current
    • As a member of the executive leadership team, has primary responsibility for generating approximately 55% of the organization's operating revenue annually. For the 2023/24 fiscal year, this represented a fundraising goal of $2.5M.
    • Maintains a comprehensive fundraising plan from diversified sources to ensure fiscal stability.
    • Employs a detailed strategy of cultivation and stewardship activities to foster and expand donor, member, and prospect engagement.
    • Works closely with the Center's Director, volunteers, artists, and peer organizations to identify and establish mutually beneficial partnership opportunities that expand the role of art in the community and help promote the careers of local artists.
    • Establishes departmental budgets and works with curatorial, education, and programming staff to set budgets and fundraising goals for various initiatives.
    • Supervises a team of four full-time development staff whose roles encompass major giving, annual giving, grant writing, membership, and special events.

Director of Development

Irish Classical Theatre Company
02.2015 - 05.2016
  • Developed comprehensive strategic plans to guide long-term growth and sustainability of the organization's programs.
  • Expanded the organization''s network of supporters through targeted outreach, events, and partnership development.
  • Worked with the Board of Directors, Artistic Director and other volunteers to foster and expand membership in the theatre's major giving society, the James Joyce Circle.
  • Managed all aspects of fundraising, including major giving, planned giving, annual fund, special events, and corporate, government and foundation support.
  • Developed departmental budget and worked with board and organizational leadership to set fundraising goals.
  • Supervised part-time staff support.

Resource Development Manager

Planned Parenthood of Western New York
11.2012 - 12.2014
  • Worked closely with the Vice President of External Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors and other volunteers to develop and expand major giving portfolios through personal visits, cultivation events, communication with donors, and health center tours
  • Secured corporate sponsorship for Planned Parenthood fundraising events
  • Managed Planned Parenthood of Western New York's private grant initiatives, including grant drafting and private foundation relations
  • Managed the planned giving program, including the cultivation of new and current members of the Planned Parenthood Margaret Sanger Society
  • Provided oversight for development data, audit and budgeting needs
  • Supervised Community Engagement Coordinator (1 FTE).

Fundraising Product Specialist

SofTrek Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2012
  • Served as the in-house fundraising consultant to guide the development of the company's donor management software – PledgeMaker and ClearView – providing input, from a fundraising perspective, to designers, business analysts, fellow colleagues, clients, and potential clients
  • Responsible for communicating product features and company services to clients, prospects, media, and the general public through various vehicles
  • Included writing and distributing quarterly newsletters, creating and sending email communication, writing copy for brochures and other sales enablement pieces, creating and dispatching press releases, and writing and publishing case studies
  • Coordinated the company's 2011 client conference, including managing the budget; supervising staff volunteers; working with sponsors, presenters and venue personnel; and creating event communications.

Director of Development

Mercy Hospital Foundation
06.2007 - 04.2011
  • In addition to regular responsibilities, performed all job functions of the Foundation executive director for a seven-month period
  • (1 FTE) Designed and executed a comprehensive annual giving program, including hospital associates, physicians, patients, and corporate prospects
  • Increased total annual fund dollars raised by an average of 15% each year
  • Successfully managed the employee division of Mercy Hospital's Campaign for a New Emergency Center, raising over $100,000 from hospital associates in a one-year time period
  • Identified, stewarded, and solicited major donors, both corporate and individual
  • Developed, successfully instituted, and administered a hospital-wide grateful patient giving program
  • Provided oversight of the Foundation's special events committee in the creation, planning, and execution of Mercy Hospital's signature fundraising event
  • Was the primary administrator of the Foundation donor database, including the supervision and training of staff in daily gift entry and reporting procedures.

Associate Director of Development

Albright-Knox Art Gallery
12.2004 - 06.2007
  • Provided overall day-to-day operation of the development office, with a particular focus on annual giving and membership
  • (2 FTEs) Created materials and provided oversight for the annual direct mail appeal
  • Worked with members of the board of directors and other volunteers to identify donor prospects, formulate solicitation plans, and carry out cultivation and solicitation activities
  • Created and administered a new leadership giving society, the Donor Circles, to develop and cultivate donors of $1,000 and greater
  • Implemented, monitored and reported on the overall financial goals and objectives of all of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery's fundraising efforts, including annual fund, endowment giving, exhibition support, and corporate sponsorship
  • Was primary administrator of the development department donor database, including the supervision and training of staff in daily gift entry and reporting procedures.

Annual Fund Manager

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
01.1998 - 01.2004
  • Worked closely with the BPO Board, President & CEO, and Director of Development to develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan, both current and long-range
  • Implemented, monitored, and reported on the overall financial goals and objectives of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's $3.5 million annual campaign
  • Continued to be responsible for all duties of Manager of Individual Giving and Donor Relations.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Public Communication

Buffalo State College
Buffalo, NY
01.1992

Skills

  • Comprehensive Fundraising Expertise
  • Nonprofit Governance
  • Donor Relations
  • Board Development
  • Major & Planned Giving Solicitation
  • Campaign Management
  • Corporate & Foundation Relations
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Budgeting & Financial Reporting
  • Partnership Development
  • Superior Written & Verbal Communication Skills

Affiliations

Board Member, Western New York Planned Giving Consortium

Awards

  • New York State Regents Scholarship, 1987
  • Alfred H. Kirchhofer Scholarship for Journalism, 1991

Timeline

Chief Advancement Officer

Burchfield Penney Art Center
06.2016 - Current

Director of Development

Irish Classical Theatre Company
02.2015 - 05.2016

Resource Development Manager

Planned Parenthood of Western New York
11.2012 - 12.2014

Fundraising Product Specialist

SofTrek Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2012

Director of Development

Mercy Hospital Foundation
06.2007 - 04.2011

Associate Director of Development

Albright-Knox Art Gallery
12.2004 - 06.2007

Annual Fund Manager

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
01.1998 - 01.2004

Bachelor of Arts - Public Communication

Buffalo State College

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