Mary Braun
Palmyra,NJ
Summary
Dynamic fundraising professional with a proven track record at Rutgers University Foundation, excelling in major gift solicitation and donor engagement. Successfully drove a $17.9 million fundraising initiative, leveraging strategic relationship building and innovative event coordination to exceed goals and enhance donor collaboration. Expertise in portfolio management and tailored fundraising strategies.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Development, Athletics
Rutgers University Foundation
New Brunswick, New Jersey
11.2023 - Current
- Enhances major gift growth by effectively overseeing a portfolio of 100+ major and principal gift donors; secures over 95% portfolio engagement
- Develops and executes tailored fundraising strategies to secure major gifts through purposeful engagement with athletic leadership, administration, and coaches
- Contributor and team member of FY25 $17.9 million in athletics development fundraising; exceeds annual personal goals and contributes significantly to strategic development initiatives
- Advances donor and corporate engagement in the NIL space; facilitates innovative partnerships to strengthen NIL opportunities for Rutgers student-athletes
- Collaborates with coaches and athletic administrators to implement sport-specific strategies, engage alumni outreach, and enhance communication for fundraising results
- Strengthens cross-foundation collaboration, leading to more coordinated donor cultivation and solicitation efforts
Director of Development, Athletics
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
03.2020 - 10.2023
- Identified, qualified, cultivated, solicited and stewarded prospects at major gift level of $25,000+
- Team member and contributor to reaching and exceeding Drexel athletics’ fundraising goal of $2 million annually, achieving $3.8 million in fiscal year 2023
- Worked in cohesion with Drexel’s athletic director, administration leadership and head coaches with joint meetings to engage and solicit alumni, parents, and friends of athletics
- Provided direction to thirteen varsity programs on fundraising plans, alumni outreach, alumni events, and effective communication for fundraising results
- Implemented a matching gift challenge for Drexel’s Day of Giving; resulting in a 350% increase of dollars raised from 2018-2023 and over $500,000 raised in 24 hours in 2023
- Facilitated the creation of an alumni committee for Drexel men’s soccer; increased alumni event attendance by 2000% from 2019-2022
- Specialized in student-athlete parent solicitations, responsible for over 15 families who participated at the major-gift level to Drexel athletics
Associate Director of Development
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
08.2017 - 02.2020
- Exceeded fiscal 2018-2019 fundraising goal by over 100%
- Maximized portfolio potential of over 175 individuals through efficient donor cycle management
- Conducted solicitations at the major-gift level and annual fund level
- Provided supervision and direction to thirteen head coaches on fundraising objectives, alumni outreach, gear orders for donors, and the creation and execution of stewardship events
- Served as point person for Drexel Athletics Day of Giving
- Created and managed social media presence for the Dragon Club; Instagram followers grew from zero in July 2018 to over 500 in June 2019
- Delivered press releases to sports information department on all major gift closings, stewardship events, and Day of Giving results
Assistant Lacrosse Coach
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
07.2011 - 08.2017
- Evaluated and communicated with prospective student athletes and their families to create effective relationships through the recruiting process
- Spearheaded matters of alumnae relations, academic progress of student-athletes, film preparation, travel coordination, equipment orders and recruiting travel
- Organized and executed the women’s lacrosse phone-a-thon, an annual fundraising event that raised over $45,000 for the program from 2013-2016
- Facilitated several major recruiting events a year, including clinics and campus visits for prospective student athletes and a large 300+ person fundraising tournament
Education
M.S. - Sport Management
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania05-2014
B.A. - Criminal Justice
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey05-2011
Activities
- Fundraiser for RUNDIPG (2021 - Present)
- Graduate of Plus Delta Partners, a ROI driven program that helps non-profits achieve measurable fundraising improvements
- Varsity member of Rutgers Women’s Lacrosse Team 2007-2011; Captain 2010-11
Timeline
Director of Development, Athletics
Rutgers University Foundation
11.2023 - Current
Director of Development, Athletics
Drexel University
03.2020 - 10.2023
Associate Director of Development
Drexel University
08.2017 - 02.2020
Assistant Lacrosse Coach
Drexel University
07.2011 - 08.2017
M.S. - Sport Management
Drexel University
B.A. - Criminal Justice
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey