Kristen Gray
Red Bluff,CA
Summary
Fundraising professional with over ten years of experience in securing major gifts and cultivating strong donor relationships. Expertise in planning and executing comprehensive fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns. Strong skills in strategic planning, community engagement, and board collaboration.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Development Director
United Way of Northern California
Redding, California
10.2024 - Current
- Formulate annual fundraising goals by analyzing past campaign performances and evaluating current financial projections.
- Design and execute a comprehensive strategy for major gifts, ensuring personalized stewardship for existing major donors while actively seeking and nurturing new donor relationships.
- Facilitate the development and active engagement of the board to support organizational fundraising and strategic objectives.
- Plan and orchestrate fundraising events aimed at maximizing donor interaction and engagement, ensuring high levels of participation and satisfaction.
- Implement a state-of-the-art CRM system to enhance donor management capabilities and streamline overall fundraising operations for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
Director of Fundraising and Development
Butte Humane Society
Redding, California
02.2024 - 10.2024
- Design and implement innovative fundraising programs to ensure the organization consistently meets its financial goals.
- Manage and inspire the development team to optimize performance and achieve collective fundraising success.
- Strategically enhances BHS’s funding by cultivating relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
- Proactively identify and develop new revenue streams to diversify and strengthen the organization’s financial base.
- Reconnect with lapsed donors and establish a comprehensive pipeline of prospective donors to ensure continual growth and sustainability.
Executive Director
Friesen Foundation
Redding, California
03.2022 - 01.2024
- Led the comprehensive administration of the foundation, including program management and strategic planning, ensuring alignment with the foundation's mission to advance community development initiatives.
- Identified and assessed charitable giving opportunities, managing the entire grant lifecycle from application through to distribution and reporting, ensuring effective and impactful grantmaking.
- Cultivated strong relationships with community stakeholders and nonprofit organizations to enhance fundraising prospects and foster collaborative partnerships.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to maximize the foundation's impact on the community, acting as a representative in state and municipal meetings to advocate and promote the foundation's objectives.
- Key Contributions: Leveraged the Rock Fence Lake property purchase as a program-based asset, collaborating with environmental agencies on community engagement projects.
- Enhanced community awareness and collaboration with other foundations in the North State, increasing visibility and support for foundation initiatives.
Executive Assistant to the President
Dignity Health- St. Elizabeth Community Hospital
Red Bluff, California
08.2018 - 11.2021
- Provide administrative support for the senior management team.
Interacted, problem-solved, and made decisions with advisory council members, administration, corporate personnel, hospital staff, and clients.
Verified physician contracts, and processed over $20M in payments.
Prepared presentations, spreadsheets, and documents for accounts payable and other departments, as needed. Managed multiple calendars, coordinated meetings, and prioritized communications.
Planned events, scheduled travel, and facilitated special projects.
Development Officer
Mercy Foundation North
Redding, California
06.2015 - 08.2018
- Consistently achieved and surpassed major gift targets across various medical centers by securing significant contributions from both individuals and organizations.
- Engaged in grant writing and crafted detailed progress reports, conducting financial reviews to ensure effective stewardship and recognition of donor contributions.
- Worked closely with leadership to identify critical funding needs and align fundraising efforts with organizational strategic priorities, leveraging CRM software for precise donor management and reporting.
- Developed and executed strategies to strengthen donor relationships, ensuring ongoing engagement and satisfaction through tailored recognition initiatives.
Executive Director
Lassen Park Foundation
Redding, California
07.2013 - 06.2015
- Directed all operational aspects of the foundation, ensuring both fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic objectives.
- Created and implemented a major gifts program that substantially increased donor contributions and broadened the foundation's funding base.
- Managed the foundation's budget with precision, overseeing expenditures and maintaining financial transparency.
- Developed materials for Board of Directors meetings to facilitate strategic planning and strengthen governance.
- Planned and executed high-impact fundraising events, including an annual dinner and a successful $250,000 capital campaign focused on supporting at-risk youth initiatives.
- Cultivated a strong partnership with National Park Leadership to support community engagement projects, ensuring alignment between foundation objectives and national park goals.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration
California State University, Chico
Chico, CASome College (No Degree) - Business Administration
UNLV
Las Vegas, NVSome College (No Degree) - Social Sciences
Shasta College
Redding, CASkills
- Donor cultivation
- Major gifts program
- Board relations
- Event planning
- Fundraising expertise
- Corporate sponsorships
Community Service
- Red Bluff State Theater, Board of Directors
- Red Bluff/Tehama County Chamber of Commerce, Director and Past President, 2 Years
- Red Bluff Rotary, Member
- Tehama County Branding Project, Committee Member
Timeline
Development Director
United Way of Northern California
10.2024 - Current
Director of Fundraising and Development
Butte Humane Society
02.2024 - 10.2024
Executive Director
Friesen Foundation
03.2022 - 01.2024
Executive Assistant to the President
Dignity Health- St. Elizabeth Community Hospital
08.2018 - 11.2021
Development Officer
Mercy Foundation North
06.2015 - 08.2018
Executive Director
Lassen Park Foundation
07.2013 - 06.2015
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration
California State University, Chico
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration
UNLV
Some College (No Degree) - Social Sciences
Shasta College
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