Kelly Berg
Grand River,Ohio
Summary
Passionate non-profit leader with 15+ years of experience driving fundraising and engagement initiatives dedicated to youth empowerment and education equity. Proven success in securing over $5M in funding. Expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and team building to drive mission-driven initiatives.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Development Officer
Friends Of Breakthrough Schools
Cleveland, OH
05.2024 - Current
- Secured over $5M in funding through successful grant writing and fundraising campaign
- Developed and lead annual fundraiser supporting our schools, students and alumni resulting in nearly $800 in donations
- Negotiated a partnership with a corporate sponsor, resulting in a $1M match campaign to build school libraries
- Led a team of 8 leaders to develop and execute a strategic plan with a budget of $5.3M
- Developed and analyzed strategic fundraising initiatives to enhance donor engagement and support organizational goals.
- Optimized development team performance through ongoing coaching, professional development, and goal setting.
Senior Director of Engagement
Friends Of Breakthrough Schools
Cleveland, OH
03.2022 - 05.2024
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategic initiatives aligning with organizational goals.
- Mentored junior directors, fostering skill development and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, enhancing communication and collaboration across departments.
- Support and collaborate with the alumni success team to plan for success based on data, research, and program piloting, including mentoring.
- Liaison with internal alumni success team members for collaboration with partners in implementing and expanding existing relationships to accomplish strategic goals.
Senior Director of Volunteer and Alumni Relations
Friends Of Breakthrough Schools
Cleveland, OH
03.2016 - 03.2022
- Led strategic planning initiatives to enhance educational outcomes across multiple schools.
- Developed and implemented programs to increase student engagement and retention rates.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align organizational goals with community needs and expectations.
- Mentored leadership teams, fostering professional development and promoting best practices.
Senior Director of Community Relations
Breakthrough Schools
Cleveland, OH
01.2011 - 03.2016
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance educational outcomes for underserved students.
- Mentored leadership team on best practices in operational efficiency and program management.
- Oversaw budget planning and resource allocation to align with organizational goals.
- Facilitated training sessions to improve staff engagement and performance metrics.
Director of Community Relations and Admissions
Citizens Academy
Cleveland, OH
09.2006 - 01.2011
- Developed and implemented community engagement initiatives to enhance local outreach efforts.
- Fostered partnerships with local organizations to support educational programs and events.
- Led strategic communication campaigns to promote awareness of community resources and services.
- Coordinated volunteer recruitment and training to strengthen community involvement in school activities.
Substitute Teacher
Citizens Academy
Cleveland, OH
09.2005 - 09.2006
- Developed and implemented lesson plans to engage diverse student learning styles.
- Managed classroom behavior to foster a positive learning environment.
- Adapted instructional strategies based on individual student needs and progress.
- Collaborated with teachers to align curriculum and address student challenges.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OHCertification - Non-Profit Leadership
Non Profit Leadership Alliance
05-2026
Skills
- Leadership and Management: Strategic planning, team building, decision-making, change management
- Financial Management: Budgeting, financial reporting, grant writing, fundraising
- Communication: Public speaking, stakeholder engagement, media relations
- Program Development: Impact assessment, monitoring and evaluation, partnership building
Fundraising strategies, Organizational development, Conflict Management, Community Outreach
Management: Budget Management, Fundraising Strategy, Non-Profit Governance, Program Development, Grant Writing, Policy Development
Strategy: Strategic Partnership Development, Advocacy Campaign Planning, Event Planning, Donor Relations, Public Speaking, Impact Assessment
Software: MS Office Suite (Proficient), CRM (Salesforce - Advanced)
Certification
- Certified Non-Profit Professional (CNP), Non-Profit Leadership Alliance, Spring 2026[Timeframe]
Timeline
Chief Development Officer
Friends Of Breakthrough Schools
05.2024 - Current
Senior Director of Engagement
Friends Of Breakthrough Schools
03.2022 - 05.2024
Senior Director of Volunteer and Alumni Relations
Friends Of Breakthrough Schools
03.2016 - 03.2022
Senior Director of Community Relations
Breakthrough Schools
01.2011 - 03.2016
Director of Community Relations and Admissions
Citizens Academy
09.2006 - 01.2011
Substitute Teacher
Citizens Academy
09.2005 - 09.2006
Bachelor of Science - Education
Cleveland State University
Certification - Non-Profit Leadership
Non Profit Leadership Alliance