Kimberly Grady
Executive Director
Chula Vista,CA
Summary
Dynamic Executive Director with 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, specializing in strategic planning, fundraising, and program development. Proven track record of increasing annual fundraising by over $1.5 million and securing major gifts, including a $1 million donation. Skilled in financial management and governance, with a strong ability to lead teams and enhance organizational efficiency. Committed to driving sustainable growth and impact within the community.
Knowledgeable in Development with proven track record of leading organizations to growth and success through strategic planning and innovative problem-solving. Successfully managed diverse teams, driving operational efficiency, and fostering collaborative environments. Demonstrated excellence in financial oversight and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Think Dignity
01.2025 - Current
- Direct and oversee all aspects of organizational operations, including strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, and program development
- Manage financial resources effectively by creating budgets, monitoring expenses, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Provide leadership in developing long-term goals and objectives for sustainable growth and impact.
- Collaborate with the board of directors to develop governance policies aligning with nonprofit organizations' best practices.
- Implement performance management systems to evaluate staff productivity and enhance overall organizational efficiency.
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization at public events, conferences, and other engagements.
- Facilitate strategic planning sessions with senior leadership to align organizational priorities with emerging trends in the industry or sector.
Chief Development Officer
Bastion Community of Resilience
02.2022 - 12.2024
- Designed and executed a comprehensive fund development strategy that consistently met annual revenue and expense targets.
- Secured a $300,000 gift from Boeing to support veteran services.
- Secured multi-year funding from the Wounded Warrior Project and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, strengthening long-term organizational sustainability.
- Played a key leadership role in a $7.8M Capital Campaign for a Veteran Wellness Center and donor naming rights.
- Directed all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, annual giving, foundation relations, corporate giving, government funding, and special events.
- Increased organizational revenue by cultivating and securing gifts through donor-advised funds and stock contributions, diversifying funding streams, and expanding donor engagement opportunities.
- Led marketing and communications strategies to strengthen donor engagement and brand visibility.
- Secured, managed, and reported on grants; wrote successful proposals and ensured compliance with funder requirements.
- Set and monitored annual fundraising goals and budgets aligned with long-term strategic priorities.
- Built and maintained a robust pipeline of donors, including corporations, foundations, and individuals.
- Planned and executed donor-focused events that effectively communicated the organization’s mission and impact.
- Cultivated and stewarded donor relationships through personalized correspondence, acknowledgments, in-person visits, and facility tours.
- Partnered with the Board of Directors, Executive Director, advisory board, and leadership team to leverage networks and strengthen strategic connections.
Fundraising Consultant/Contracted Development Director
Grady Consulting & Associates, LLC
12.2018 - 01.2022
- Created strategies and conducted research, project management, press release development, media relations, social media, analytics, and review.
- Developed an annual fundraising plan with the leadership team that aligns with the annual budget.
- Managed logistics for donor/prospect engagement activities.
- Tracked and maintained donor and prospect records, including outreach, contributions, and path to the goal.
- Supported the Executive Director and Board Members in developing fundraising strategies, including identifying and cultivating prospects and developing materials.
- Implemented the Blackbaud CRM system for a national and international organization.
- Updated and maintained Salesforce for nonprofits and became familiar with iWave wealth screening platforms.
- Provided support with cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for corporate, foundation, and individual donors.
- Wrote corporate, foundation, and federal grants with program staff.
- Maintained and submitted grant updates and/or reports to foundations.
- Performed ongoing analysis for key performance metrics related to the campaign and participant fundraising behavior for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
- Organized 5k run events and secured corporate sponsorships.
- Met the annual campaign fundraising goal of $1.5 million for 2019-2021.
- Provided excellent communication skills to problem-solve complex issues.
Executive/Development Director
Sisters of the Holy Family
03.2018 - 09.2019
- Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and Steering Committees, providing timely and accurate information to support effective governance and informed decision-making.
- Oversaw fundraising initiatives and pursued additional revenue opportunities critical to sustaining SHF’s mission and long-term growth.
- Created and implemented the SHF’s first Planned Giving program, establishing a new revenue stream for long-term sustainability.
- Developed and established a comprehensive Gift Acceptance Policy to guide donor contributions, safeguard organizational integrity, and strengthen donor confidence.
- Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization, and maintaining SHF’s financial position.
- Served as the lead on the Annual Gala and coordinated with multiple committees, meeting with committee chairs, providing leadership and strategic planning, managing silent auction items, overseeing “Taste of New Orleans” food vendors, and cultivating and procuring celebrity entertainment.
- Increase revenues from the Annual Gala by 30% from previous years. Secured over $100,000 in sponsorships.
- Increase the Silent Auction by 10% and work with the committee to procure unique major items.
- Served as the lead in planning and executing the run-of-show for a major fundraising gala featuring celebrity performers and award presentations, successfully engaging more than 800 attendees.
- Exceeded the gala fundraising net goal of $350,000 by securing corporate chairs, grant underwriting, sponsorships, and table purchases.
Vice President of Community Development
San Diego Community Housing Corporation
06.2002 - 03.2018
- Served in a public-facing role in the organization, including speaking at events geared toward funding networks and regularly attending networking events
- Cultivated a donor to receive a major gift of $1 million dollars. Wrote and implemented the grant for a financial education program throughout the state of California.
- Implemented and established the agency's CRM platforms in eTapestry and Raisers Edge/Blackbaud.
- Wrote School-to-Career grant and implemented the program for an annual $1 million-dollar multi-year grant for 5 years for formerly incarcerated youth in partnership with the San Diego Probation Department.
- Spearheaded the proposal and implementation of a multi-year $1 million dollar
- Youth Build grant, which included the implementation of a charter school. Worked closely with the Board of Directors, CEO, executive team to meet grant requirements.
- Implemented a $25 million-dollar grant for California Sustainability/Multi-Housing initiative to install solar panels on affordable housing units to help families receive rental subsidies to decrease their utility bills; while creating a certified vocational training program for youth 17-24 to install solar panels.
- Oversaw the operations of six (6) Community Centers throughout San Diego's urban and rural communities. Hired, trained, evaluated, coordinated, and directed the workflow of the Centers consisting of 10-15 staff, over 50 volunteers, and 5,000 clients.
- Served as the go-to person for the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
- Developed the annual budgets and operating work plans, established benchmarks to ensure the effectiveness of program delivery and successful outcomes.
- Developed proposals for the programs to ensure the continuous delivery of services, and researched new initiatives to support program objectives.
- Oversaw all aspects of communication of multiple programs, education, and initiative-related items for the purpose of public relations and communication; including content and photos for the website, e-newsletters, press releases, and social media.
- Developed and managed a program evaluation framework, monitored and measured the effectiveness of programs, identified areas for improvement, and assisted in forecasting developing trends.
Education
Master of Management -
Master's degree - Business Management
University of Phoenix
San Diego, CA05.2014
Master's degree - Forensic Psychology
National University
San Diego, CA06.1999
Bachelor's degree - Behavioral Science
National University
San Diego, CA05.1999
Skills
- Fiscal Management
- Events management
- Database management
- Executive-level budget management - Largest budget managed in an executive level role ($1M-$5M)
- Executive officer experience
- Strategic Planning
- Public speaking
- Executive-level team management - Largest team size managed in an executive level role (11-20 team members)
- CRM Software
- Operations management
- Budgeting and financial management
- Staff management
- Program leadership
- Leadership development
- Business management
Certification
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Present In progress and completion in 2026.
- Women’s Entrepreneurship October 2022 to December 2023
- Lilly Family School of Philanthropy September 2008 to September 2009 Certificate in Principals and Techniques of Fundraising
- Grantsmanship Center September 2005 to October 2005 Grant Writing Certification
Timeline
Executive Director
Think Dignity
01.2025 - Current
Chief Development Officer
Bastion Community of Resilience
02.2022 - 12.2024
Fundraising Consultant/Contracted Development Director
Grady Consulting & Associates, LLC
12.2018 - 01.2022
Executive/Development Director
Sisters of the Holy Family
03.2018 - 09.2019
Vice President of Community Development
San Diego Community Housing Corporation
06.2002 - 03.2018
Master's degree - Forensic Psychology
National University
Bachelor's degree - Behavioral Science
National University
Master of Management -
Master's degree - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Additional Information
Association of Fundraising Professionals - 2023 Board Member