Laura J. Rhodes, CNP
Midland
Summary
Dynamic fundraising professional with extensive experience at Northwood University, excelling in event planning and donor relations. Proven track record in enhancing alumni participation and fostering a culture of philanthropy. Skilled in data management and community outreach, I effectively lead teams to achieve ambitious fundraising goals while cultivating lasting relationships. Results-driven with background in fundraising management, specializing in developing effective fundraising strategies and donor relations. Skilled in coordinating events, managing campaigns, and leveraging social media to increase funding opportunities. Demonstrated ability to lead teams towards achieving set financial goals while fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation. Successfully enhanced donor engagement and streamlined processes for improved operational efficiency in previous roles.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Annual Giving
Northwood University
Midland
12.2022 - Current
- Oversees Northwood University’s annual fund to coordinate solicitation of alumni and friends.
- Works with Northwood University's athletics department to assist with departmental and team fundraising.
- Implements best practices in cooperation with Advancement Records in the supporting areas of gift processing, data management and donor relations as related to annual giving and the University as a whole.
- Actively prospects for new donors to Northwood University and understand how annual giving enables successful major gift and estate planning programs.
- Works within segments of Northwood University alumni populations to increase alumni participation rates.
- Create and reinforce a culture of philanthropy on the flagship residential campus.
- Engages the employee campaign to assist with alumni giving and major gift opportunities.
- Implements and manages events that fortify the bond between Northwood and its constituencies.
- Develop budget for Annual Giving department.
- Leads Phonathon, sets goals and structure for the parent program, and oversees private donor scholarship program.
- Manages the stewardship assistant position within the Advancement department to ensure all donors receive appropriate and timely stewardship.
Development Coordinator
American Heart Association Southeast Michigan
Southfield
05.2022 - 12.2022
- Assist staff with day-to-day tasks that support fundraising, community impact and volunteer recruitment/management activities, including customer relationship management.
- Coordinate logistics for large and small scale events and meetings including pre-, day-of, and post- event/meeting duties.
- Develop, input, and maintain information in appropriate computer software programs, including a CRM and event specific software.
- Handle weekly report generation, including manipulating data from multiple systems.
- Perform office management/reception duties in rotation with other administrative staff including processing ingoing and outgoing mail, handling incoming calls, maintaining supply and materials, and working with vendors on any office-related needs.
- Handle financial tasks, including paying invoices, tracking expenses, and processing donations.
- Maintain staff calendars and handle scheduling.
- Develop event and meeting materials as needed.
Development Assistant
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit
Detroit
07.2021 - 04.2022
- Managed planning and executing special events from start to finish, which included developing fundraising plans, engaging, cultivating and stewarding event participants; develop and manage event timeline.
- Establish and maintain vendor relationships and coordinate event logistics.
- Responsible for identifying opportunities for 3rd party fundraising opportunities and serving as a liaison for the organization.
- Responded with personalized contacts and thank you letters to donors, event attendees and social media followers.
- Planned and implemented fundraising and public relations events that enlisted new donors, strengthened ties with current donors and built community relations.
- Maintained close communication with agency staff, board and supporters to confirm understanding of actual operations in performing development work.
- Determined new sources of support whom could serve as either donors or vendors.
- Assisted in executing development communications strategies that increase brand awareness and support fundraising.
- Spearheaded, implemented and maintained social media presence and agency website, offering simple electronic giving and communication options.
Food and Fund Drives Coordinator
Gleaners Community Food Bank
Detroit
10.2018 - 07.2021
- Initiate and steward fundraising activities of monetary and food donations, including solicitation of individuals, corporations, and organizations within Gleaners’ service area.
- Understand the local needs of the food insecure population served by Gleaners and its partner agencies.
- Maintain standard operating procedures and records of all food and fund drives campaigns and goals throughout the fiscal year.
- Establish and support new relationships in the community to expand the awareness and importance of food and fund drives.
- Developed and implemented budgets, met or exceeded budget targets, and record all data.
- Created and delivered orientation and training for new team members.
- Collaborated with program department on departmental needs related to food insecure programming, evaluated success and failures as well as develop new partnerships to make proactive changes.
- Mercado Food Hub Pantry: Managed day to day operations and temporary worker team to clean, inventory and stock pantry for distributions. Facilitated accepting donations and distributing food to clients.
Discover You Program Coach
Discover You Program Coach
Midland
05.2018 - 10.2018
- Facilitated workshops surrounding self-development for middle and high school youth following Discover You program curriculum.
- Foster wellbeing and happiness in youth through mentorship to ensure academic and social success.
- Champion positive relationships between youth and academic instructors by upholding the mission and values of The Rock C4YD.
Residential Advocate
Bay Area Womens Center
Bay City
02.2018 - 06.2018
- Provide support for residential and non-residential clients in crisis with domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Develop safety plans for those in crisis and empower clients to change their situation in positive ways.
- Entered client data in centralized database and maintained up-to-date case records for all clients. Facilitated intake and exit procedures of clients.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Built trust and rapport with victims of violent crimes by remaining calm and compassionate in variety of situations.
Coordinator
Northwood University Go MAD Day
Midland
08.2015 - 12.2017
- Coordinate with agencies for projects and needs of clients.
- Managed administrative processes and prepared key reports and documentation.
- Documented all labor hours and budget expenses for project.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to new Go MAD Coordinator to supply knowledge of various program intricacies.
- Planned and managed operations to achieve objectives within budgets.
- Maintained records of agency needs and preferences.
- Managed incoming and outgoing correspondence with volunteers and agencies to support smooth day of operations.
- Assist with marketing event to participants and community to recruit volunteers.
Volunteer Engagement Intern
United Way of Midland County
Midland
08.2015 - 12.2017
- Demonstrate professionalism with strong communication and interpersonal skills to manage both United Way Midland County and Northwood University Student Life offices.
- Manage NU Service; monitor emails, answer emails and arrange all service opportunities.
- Maintain current tracking of all Northwood University community service and volunteerism. Prepare quantitative reports for Northwood University and United Way Midland County.
- Co-Coordinate NU’s GO MAD Day and manage day of events.
- Participated in departmental, organizational and community meetings.
- Managed recruitment efforts through media, web, social media and outreach. Enhanced volunteer performance through incentivized goals.
- Solicited feedback from staff and volunteers to improve existing programs.
- Conducted new volunteer orientation and training sessions to discuss requirements and expectations.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Entrepreneurship
Northwood University
Midland, MI05-2017
Masters of Nonprofit Management And Leadership - Non-Profit Management
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ12-2026
Skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Client relations
- Fundraising strategies
- Leadership
- Logistics management
- Marketing
- Data reporting and management
- Food and beverage services
- Volunteer training
- Community outreach
- Team oversight
- Program management
- Database management
- Organizational skills
- Veteran resources
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Raiser's Edge expertise
- Salesforce knowledge
- Trello and Asana usage
- Digital fundraising techniques
- Event coordination
Additional Information
Food Team Manager- Great Lakes Bay Veterans Coalition January 2023-Present
Relay For Life of Westland-Wayne, Event Leadership Team November 2018-June 2023
ACEA Food Pantry Co-Coordinator- SAM’S Pantry January 2018-October 2018
United Way of Midland County Board of Directors, Member April 2016-May 2017
Alternative Spring Break Coordinator & Break’r- Break A Difference March 2016, March 2017
42nd Annual Stafford Dinner Logistics Chair March 2016-February 2017
41st Annual Stafford Dinner Food and Beverage Team, Member February 2015 and February 2016
Circle K International District Event Snowpia- Midland, MI Event Planner November 2014
Relay For Life- American Cancer Society, Team Captain January 2011-Present
Certification
- Certified Nonprofit Professional
- ServSafe Food Handler
- ServSafe Alcohol
- ServSafe Food Handler for Food Banking
- Techniques in Alcohol Management Certification
- Michigan Food Cottage Law
- CPR & First Aid
- Safe TALK Suicide Prevention
- Transforming Health and Resilience through Integration of Values-based Experience (THRIVE) Certification geared towards Veterans mental health aid and awareness
- UBI Workshop Certification
- Form 990 Overview Certification
Timeline
Director of Annual Giving
Northwood University
12.2022 - Current
Development Coordinator
American Heart Association Southeast Michigan
05.2022 - 12.2022
Development Assistant
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit
07.2021 - 04.2022
Food and Fund Drives Coordinator
Gleaners Community Food Bank
10.2018 - 07.2021
Discover You Program Coach
Discover You Program Coach
05.2018 - 10.2018
Residential Advocate
Bay Area Womens Center
02.2018 - 06.2018
Coordinator
Northwood University Go MAD Day
08.2015 - 12.2017
Volunteer Engagement Intern
United Way of Midland County
08.2015 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Business Administration - Entrepreneurship
Northwood University
Masters of Nonprofit Management And Leadership - Non-Profit Management
Arizona State University