Pamela Palermo
North Kingsville,OH
Summary
Accomplished development professional with broad expertise across fundraising disciplines. Known for cultivating empowering team cultures and forging strong, enduring relationships with diverse stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Development Director
The Fine Arts Association
1 2023 - Current
- Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the organization's mission and financial objectives
- Identify and prioritize fundraising opportunities, including major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and special campaigns
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and other key stakeholders
- Ensure timely and meaningful stewardship of donors through acknowledgment letters, recognition events, and ongoing communication
- Collaborate with executive leadership, board members, and other stakeholders to leverage strategic partnerships and alliances
- Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and networking opportunities to raise awareness and expand the donor base
- Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration with other nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and industry partners.
Development Director
Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity
09.2021 - 03.2023
- Plan and coordinate all aspects of fund development
- Provide leadership and management on all fundraising initiatives including major gifts, planned giving, corporate, foundation and faith community giving, grants, and events
- Develop and maintain strong and productive relationships with affiliate and board leadership
- Formulate funding strategy to deepen commitment of existing donors
- Collaborate with executive director and advancement committee to develop long-range development plan
- Develop fundraising policies, practices, and procedures to support smooth organizational growth
- Perform prospect research on corporate, organizational faith community, foundation, civic and individual donors to determine sponsorships, gifts, grants, events and collaborative activities
- Lead and manage maintenance / expansion of donor database to maximize use.
Executive Director
OdySea Aquarium Foundation
04.2020 - 08.2021
- Provide direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategy and its annual goals and objectives
- Oversee annual operating plans
- Prepare and present budgets for approval and manage the resources within those plans
- Implement strategic goals and objectives of the organization
- Develop and maintain strong and productive relationships with all levels of the OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland teams
- Liaise with senior leadership teams
- Serve as development director to secure funds for organization
- Lead fundraising activities, including identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual and corporate prospects, grant prospecting / reporting and related activities
- Lead and manage the design, marketing, delivery, and quality of revenue generating programs
- Plan and prepare materials, reports, and agenda for board meetings
- Oversee all communications and public relations assuring the organizations and their mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in strong, positive manner to stakeholders
- Support conservation partnerships with government agencies and non-government organizations as needed to help create a positive impact on species survival and ecosystem health
- Interact with and respond to public / media as directed
- Participate in public relations and marketing programs as needed, including tours and lectures.
Senior Director of Development
Lake Erie College
02.2013 - 02.2020
- Qualify and cultivate prospective donors
- Primary strategist for portfolio of 125 or more current and prospective major and planned gift donors
- Identify and lead personal visits with alumni and donors across the country
- Implement personalized donor communications for all stages of moves management cycle, including annual gifts, major gifts and planned gifts
- Develop annual fund plan, write copy, and collaboratively design collateral marketing materials in support of annual fund, including online fundraising campaigns and special initiatives
- Research, write and manage grants for funding of College initiatives
- Develop and propose strategies for solicitation of major gifts by determining ongoing relationships with prospect / donor; recommending specific purpose and level of gift; identifying key individuals to be part of cultivation and solicitation, and assuring solicitations are completed
- Work in partnership with Board of Directors, both collectively and individually, on special initiatives and targeted communications
- Work closely with president, faculty, and senior leadership to ensure coordination of effort with their programs and to reinforce the prospect relationship continuum
- Coordinate an effective program for recognition, involvement, and stewardship of major and special gift donors
- Communicate on a regular and consistent basis to progress relationships with donors and prospective donors
- Work with myriad foundations (community, corporate, grant-making, private family, etc.) to articulate case for support, creating interest and support of fundraising initiatives
- Develop, plan, and implement special donor cultivation and fundraising events, including capital campaigns
- Write copy for communication to external constituents including letters, magazine articles and promotional and marketing collateral
- Initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and revise strategic advancement plan
- Participate in planning and management of annual budget
- Manage/Oversee other advancement-related positions, including alumni relations, advancement services, graduate assistants, and student workers
- Manage constituent information, notes and actions in CRM database, Raiser’s Edge.
Owner & Principal Designer
The Wooden Apple Florist
01.2004 - 01.2020
- Manage every aspect of business, including day-to-day operations
- Conceptualize and design floral arrangements, showroom floor and window displays
- Order product, from hard goods to perishables
- Establish budgets and administer payroll
- Plan and implement feature designs for busy floral holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day
- Collaborate with clients on implementing floral design and décor for weddings and special events.
Associate Director of Advancement / Major Gifts
Kent State University
02.2009 - 02.2013
- Coordinate and implement fundraising activities designed to increase and secure donor response
- Solicit assigned prospects for gifts
- Conduct research to determine needs
- Manage donor prospects within assigned area
- Plan and develop special projects relative to interests of prospects
- Work collaboratively to develop print materials for marketing efforts; advertising media and conduct special promotional events; write speeches and fund drive scripts
- Manage and solicit a portfolio of 150 gift prospects.
Director of Development Ohio Medical Education & Research Foundation
Ohio State Medical Association
08.1989 - 12.2003
- Conduct research and feasibility studies to determine need
- Develop fundraising programs to support strategic vision of association’s education & research foundation through a myriad of fundraising campaigns
- Develop and craft messages that inform to transpire giving
- Manage portfolio of 200+ prospects
- Collaborate with professional fundraising consultant to assist with development and execution of fundraising campaigns
- Work cohesively with foundation board of directors, auxiliary membership, and a variety of physician & staff committees to integrate the foundation, its concept and fundamental benefit to association members, supporting Ohio’s best and brightest medical students.
Manager, Membership Database Marketing
Ohio State Medical Association
- Manage association’s membership database to effectively market to members and recruit new members through annual dues billing and membership marketing campaigns
- Coordinate and execute annual membership dues billing, working in concert with all local county medical society staff and executive directors
- Post and reconcile annual dues collected
- Work collaboratively with Marketing Director to design and implement strategic marketing plans to increase membership.
Education
Master of Arts Public Relations - undefined
01.2012 - 05.2013
Bachelor of Science Marketing -
01.1999 - 05.2001
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Skills
Microsoft Office
Database Management
Writing and Communications
Team Leadership
Strategic Planning
Performance Management
Project Management
Teamwork and Collaboration
Grant research, writing, and management
Accomplishments
- Real Estate Salesperson License, State of Ohio, March 2007
- Published, Florists Review, March 2007
- Published, Lake Erie Living, December 2007
- Member, Design Team, Holden Arboretum Holiday Idea House, 2006, 2007
Timeline
Development Director - Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity
09.2021 - 03.2023
Executive Director - OdySea Aquarium Foundation
04.2020 - 08.2021
Senior Director of Development - Lake Erie College
02.2013 - 02.2020
Kent State University - Master of Arts Public Relations,
01.2012 - 05.2013
Associate Director of Advancement / Major Gifts - Kent State University
02.2009 - 02.2013
Owner & Principal Designer - The Wooden Apple Florist
01.2004 - 01.2020
Franklin University - Bachelor of Science Marketing,
01.1999 - 05.2001
Director of Development Ohio Medical Education & Research Foundation - Ohio State Medical Association
08.1989 - 12.2003
Development Director - The Fine Arts Association
1 2023 - Current
Manager, Membership Database Marketing - Ohio State Medical Association
Community Service
- Graduate, Class XXXV – Scottsdale Leadership
- Event and Promotions Committee – Downtown Painesville Organization
- Fine & Performing Arts Gala Principal– Lake Erie College
- President, Board of Trustees, Strategic Planning Committee, Steering Committee Member Youth Program, Graduate, Class XII– LEADERship Ashtabula County
- Board of Director’s – Ashtabula County Speech, Hearing & Rehabilitation
- Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce
- Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce
- Painesville Rotary 6630
References
- Mr. David Polakowski, Executive Director, The Harding-Buller Foundation of Worthington, 430 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Worthington, OH, 43085, 614-623-9908, Executivedirector@hbfw.org
- Ms. Debra Remington, Retired, Director of Alumni Relations, Lake Erie College, 391 W. Washington St., Painesville, OH, 44077, 440-221-0292, blancharddeb@yahoo.com
- Mr. Joe Augustine, Steinway Artist | Jazz Pianist, 2204 Avalon Creek Blvd., Vienna, OH, 44473, 330-980-0058, joe@joeaugustine.com
- James E. Mayer, Jr. | Executive Director & Branch Manager | Huffman Mayer Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors | 3705 State Rd., Ste. 101, Ashtabula, OH 44004, 440-998-1515, james.mayerjr@wfa.com
Community Service
- Graduate, Class XXXV – Scottsdale Leadership
- Event and Promotions Committee – Downtown Painesville Organization
- Fine & Performing Arts Gala Principal– Lake Erie College
- President, Board of Trustees, Strategic Planning Committee, Steering Committee Member Youth Program, Graduate, Class XII– LEADERship Ashtabula County
- Board of Director’s – Ashtabula County Speech, Hearing & Rehabilitation
- Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce
- Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce
- Painesville Rotary 6630