Megan Appello
Roselle Park,NJ
Summary
Skilled development professional with 15+ years experience in developing and implementing creative fundraising initiatives. Areas of expertise include grant writing, prospect research and administration. Self-motivated, high-energy leader with strong communication skills and effective work habits.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Prospect Research, Corporate
Rutgers University Foundation
05.2023 - Current
- Collaborates with University and Foundation staff to provide corporate and institutional prospects for specific academic units, projects and initiatives
- Synthesizes information from various sources including news articles, press releases, annual reports and CSR/ESG reports to identify and assess corporate philanthropic interests and recommendations on how to leverage these interests into University support
- Serves as the corporate intelligence subject matter expert within the broader Prospect Development team to support Rutgers University and the Rutgers University Foundation
Project Manager, Prospect Research
Covenant House International
08.2019 - 05.2023
- Played a key role in the development and execution of donor engagement strategies by providing information integral to the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual, institutional and corporate donors and prospects
- Proactively identified new major and transformational giving prospects
- Participated in the regular refresh of relationship manager portfolios using CHI’s look-alike model and other prospecting tools
- Utilized CRM, iWave, WealthEngine and other systems for prospect research
- Facilitated prospect review and donor cultivation strategy meetings
- Provided support to the corporate partnerships and institutional giving teams through grant research and drafting proposals
Executive Assistant
Affiliated Monitoring
09.2017 - 07.2019
- Reporting to EVP, provided high level, confidential support to Executive Vice President and Corporate Counsel
- Managed calendar, daily priorities & projects of the Executive Vice President and coordinated travel arrangements for both the executive leadership team and sales teams
- Planned all employee events for over 300 employees including holiday parties and staff recognition events
Grants Administrator
The Gateway Family YMCA
05.2015 - 04.2017
- Reporting to Chief Financial Officer, led all Association-wide efforts related to grant research, solicitation, management, reporting and tracking
- Developed and submitted grant proposals and obtained approval for over $1M in grants from both private foundations and government RFP submissions
- Assimilated complex points of a program or project and clearly conveyed the information in proposals through a concise and cohesive writing style
- Served on the Y’s Fundraising Strategic Action Leadership Team, providing leadership and guidance for all fundraising efforts
Director of Branch Admin/Senior Director, Member Relations
YMCA of Eastern Union County - Five Points Branch
08.2006 - 10.2010
- Held various roles of increasing responsibility overseeing operations, administration, and member relations for the YMCA's Five Points Branch.
- Managed billing, payroll and human resource functions at the Branch level while implementing electronic ADP Payroll Management and Reporting systems
- Supervised Membership Coordinator and all member service operations
- Developed and managed annual budget for Membership Department
- Named YMCA Rising Star at National Association of YMCA Professionals (AYP) Conference
Education
BA - Communication
Rutgers University – Cook College
New Brunswick, NJ05.2002
Skills
- Leadership
- Communication Skills
- Time Management
- Computer Literacy
- Microsoft Office
- EveryAction & Salesforce
Timeline
Assistant Director of Prospect Research, Corporate
Rutgers University Foundation
05.2023 - Current
Project Manager, Prospect Research
Covenant House International
08.2019 - 05.2023
Executive Assistant
Affiliated Monitoring
09.2017 - 07.2019
Grants Administrator
The Gateway Family YMCA
05.2015 - 04.2017
Director of Branch Admin/Senior Director, Member Relations
YMCA of Eastern Union County - Five Points Branch
08.2006 - 10.2010
BA - Communication
Rutgers University – Cook College
Similar Profiles
Michael GreengartenMichael Greengarten
Associate Director of Development at Rutgers University FoundationAssociate Director of Development at Rutgers University Foundation
Matthew CiambroneMatthew Ciambrone
Ticket Operations and Database Marketing Coordinator at Rutgers UniversityTicket Operations and Database Marketing Coordinator at Rutgers University
Arlene WilliamsArlene Williams
Program Coordinator at Rutgers UniversityProgram Coordinator at Rutgers University