Kathryn E. McCarron
Millis,Massachusetts
Summary
Seasoned professional with 12+ years of experience as a fundraising leader in education and non-profits, with an additional 5 years in fundraising SaaS. Strategic leader with a proven track record of delivering results in fast-paced, dynamic environments. Specializes in using technology to revolutionize fundraising strategies.
Recognized for exceptional relationship management skills and the ability to unify cross-functional leadership teams toward shared development goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Customer Experience & Enablement
Gravyty
01.2023 - Current
- Responsible for leading a new division of the company with a team of 19 SaaS professionals, consisting of implementation teams and solutions architects across our full portfolio
- Instrumental in guiding product development by translating customer feedback and industry insight into strategic roadmap decisions
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders within the company and its customer base
- Responsible for identifying revenue opportunities for paid professional services as well as opportunities for cross-selling and expansion
- Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to design campaigns that drive new business and enhance product adoption
- Report directly to the Chief Operating Officer/interim Chief Executive Officer
Director of Customer Success, Raise by Gravyty
Gravyty
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Responsible for leading a team of customer success professionals as well as onboarding managers
- Managed a book of our highest ACV customers, with a focus in higher education
- Below churn targets each quarter consecutively
- Consulted on fundraising best practices for our customers and the company
- Created new use cases and save playbooks for our customers in an ever-evolving landscape
- Instrumental in the evolution of the product Raise
- Host and MC for the first and only Gravyty customer conference
Senior Director of Customer Success/Fundraising Lead
Gravyty
06.2021 - 12.2022
- Provided consultation on ways the product could evolve to serve a wider range of customer needs from major gifts to annual giving
- Continued to manage a book of business that quickly became made up of enterprise customers
- Responsible for generating additional revenue through offering consulting services
- Generated over 2 million dollars in ACV from customer upsells in one year
- Consistently below churn targets each quarter
Customer Success Manager
Gravyty
07.2020 - 05.2021
- Managed a growing customer base made up of non-profit customers, K-12s and higher education
- Early hire of a Boston-based start-up with deep roots to the New England market
Managing Director, Annual Giving
Babson College
Babson Park, USA
05.2018 - 07.2020
- Reported directly to the Senior Vice President and was a member of the advancement leadership team
- Managed a team of frontline fundraisers
- Integral member of the campaign committee, ensuring Babson reached its ambitious alumni participation goals, a key campaign metric
- Led fundraising efforts to bring alumni participation up 3 percentage points in 3 years, driving donor engagement and outreach efforts to build a sustainable future
- Oversaw all aspects of the annual giving efforts at the College including athletic restricted and unrestricted giving, direct mail, email, online giving, day of giving and crowdfunding campaigns, and the leadership giving society
Director of Development
Ursuline Academy
Dedham, USA
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Provided strategic leadership to improve fundraising and grow the Annual Fund
- Tasked with creating and implementing a robust alumnae engagement program to improve relationships, increase visibility and solicit funds
- Collaborated with the school’s senior leadership team, Trustees, and alumnae and parent volunteers to set goals and increase brand visibility for the school
- Oversaw all fundraising and engagement strategies at the school including written communications, e-mail and personal outreach
- Responsible for the direct solicitation of corporate partners for sponsorships for signature events
- Oversaw the planning and execution of numerous donor and cultivation events including a gala event and golf tournament
- Managed a team of five individuals
Chief Development Officer
Pioneer Institute
Boston, USA
11.2014 - 08.2016
- Responsible for the development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan for fiscal years 2016-2020
- Provided strategic leadership to improve development and communication operations
- Managed a portfolio of donors contributing to the department fundraising goals
- Responsible for securing five- and six-figure gifts to support the organization
- Responsible for the direct solicitation of corporate sponsorships for signature events
- Maintained strong relationships with the Board of Directors and prepare, as well as present, reports to both the development Board committee and the entire Board at quarterly meetings
- Worked closely with the Board of Directors on building relationships as well as cultivating and attracting new donors
- Led the organization in surpassing the annual goal of 1.73 million dollars to reach 2.1 million dollars
- Responsible for expanding the solicitable donor base by 200%
- Responsible for the creation of a robust mail and direct mail program as well as online solicitation program
- Successfully secured a grant matching opportunity of $183,000 three months ahead of the goal
- Worked to create a benefits structure for the annual giving program
- Oversaw the planning and execution of numerous donor and cultivation events
- Oversaw the grant application process for corporate and foundation support
- Managed one full-time development and one part-time development staff member
Director of the Annual Fund
Newton Country Day School
Newton, USA
03.2012 - 11.2014
- Responsible for the school’s 43% increase in donors to the Annual Fund over two years
- Created and implemented new fundraising strategies to build alumnae participation
- Oversaw all Annual Fund initiatives including: mail, phone, and e-mail campaigns
- Led volunteer programs to solicit Annual Fund contributions from parents and alumnae
- Part of a hiring team for the development office serving alongside the Director of Development
- Oversaw all aspects of the Senior Family Fund and managed parent volunteer activity
- Responsible for developing an initial strategy for planned giving
- Analyzed and generated reports for the Head of School and Director of Development
- Oversaw stewardship events and assisted with other major events for the school such as the Auction
- Responsible for creating Newton Country Day School’s first online communications and solicitations
- Managed the Operations Manager
Director of Annual Giving
Dean College
Franklin, USA
11.2011 - 03.2012
- Instrumental in securing a five-figure gift for the creation of an endowed scholarship
- Directly oversaw the gift entry and acknowledgment process for all gifts including the writing and personalizing of Board of Trustee acknowledgment letters
- Planned and implemented the college’s stewardship strategies
- Responsible for the re-design of the college’s annual giving societies
- Served as the department liaison for the President’s Parent Advisory Council
- Continued to manage a small portfolio of alumni donors
- Coordinated and managed all athletic solicitations for team operating expenses
- Continued to execute responsibilities assigned under the Associate Director of the Annual Fund
Associate Director of the Annual Fund
Dean College
Franklin, USA
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Managed all direct mail, e-mail, and phone solicitation related to the Dean College Annual Fund
- Increased Annual Fund dollars by 30% from fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2010
- Led a successful faculty/staff giving campaign, increasing participation from 58% to 95% over three years
- Increased our Phonathon contact rate by 13%
- Managing Editor of the Dean College alumni magazine, which included: responsibility for writing articles, creating schedules, managing contributing writers, and coordinating the project with outside vendors
- Developed and executed donor events, including two stewardship events
- Created new strategies to attract and retain donors at all levels, including creating Dean’s online giving program
- Active member of the Commencement planning committee, which included: managing our 50th Society program where graduates from fifty years ago or more participate in the Commencement activities, and a luncheon following the event, and creating research profiles on these attendees
- Volunteer coordinator for the President’s golf tournament, which included: outreach to faculty and staff for volunteers, holding a volunteer training session, managing assignments, and overseeing the registration process for both individuals as well as businesses and corporate sponsors
Assistant Director of the Annual Fund
Dean College
Franklin, USA
03.2008 - 11.2009
- Oversaw and facilitated all aspects of the Phonathon program: hiring and training student, shift coverage, schedule management, and creating solicitation plans
- Implemented the “Donate to Dean” program to educate graduates on the importance of giving
- Member of the Campus Operations Group
- Member of the online community users group
Education
M.B.A. - Museum & Non Profit Management
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ01.2007
B.A. - Art History
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA05-2005
Skills
- Seasoned fundraising professional with exceptional relationship management
- Extensive experience in annual giving, capital campaigns, and major gift cultivation
- Strategic contributor to the Gravyty product roadmap, bringing front-line fundraising insights to technology innovation
- Skilled in developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies that leverage donor relationships and data-driven insights
- Nimble professional able to balance shifting priorities and changing environments
- Accomplished public speaker and content creator, known for delivering impactful webinars and thought leadership that shape industry best practices
References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Customer Experience & Enablement
Gravyty
01.2023 - Current
Director of Customer Success, Raise by Gravyty
Gravyty
01.2023 - 01.2025
Senior Director of Customer Success/Fundraising Lead
Gravyty
06.2021 - 12.2022
Customer Success Manager
Gravyty
07.2020 - 05.2021
Managing Director, Annual Giving
Babson College
05.2018 - 07.2020
Director of Development
Ursuline Academy
08.2016 - 05.2018
Chief Development Officer
Pioneer Institute
11.2014 - 08.2016
Director of the Annual Fund
Newton Country Day School
03.2012 - 11.2014
Director of Annual Giving
Dean College
11.2011 - 03.2012
Associate Director of the Annual Fund
Dean College
01.2009 - 01.2011
Assistant Director of the Annual Fund
Dean College
03.2008 - 11.2009
M.B.A. - Museum & Non Profit Management
Seton Hall University
B.A. - Art History
Susquehanna University
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