Rachel Goldberg
Washington, DC - Baltimore Area
Summary
Senior philanthropy and donor engagement professional with nearly a decade of experience driving fundraising growth for progressive social justice and global impact organizations. Deep expertise in major and high-net-worth individual (HNWI) portfolio strategy, donor cultivation and stewardship, executive enablement, and events-driven fundraising. Proven track record of translating strategy into results through relationship building, proposal development, data-informed planning, and compelling donor communications. Committed to equity-centered philanthropy and shifting power dynamics to move flexible resources where they are most needed.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Donor Experience & Events
Conservation International
02.2025 - Current
- Lead the design and execution of a global donor salon events and experiences program supporting major, principal, and mid-level donors, with a focus on pipeline growth, donor retention, and flexible funding.
- Partner with frontline fundraisers, program staff, and senior leadership to translate complex science and strategy into compelling donor engagement opportunities, events, and communications.
- Serve as a strategic 'air traffic controller' for donor engagement, teeing up executives for cultivation and stewardship through briefings, scripts, talking points, and follow-up strategies.
- Act as the events analytics and systems lead, tracking donor engagement, loyalty, and ROI while building standardized workflows, templates, and reporting across the Development division.
- Project manage high-touch in-person and virtual donor convenings from concept through execution, overseeing budgets, timelines, logistics, consultants, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Development & Operations Manager
Fauna & Flora USA
03.2023 - 01.2025
- Increased donor funding by 250% through strategic events for HNWIs and corporate partners.
- Developed a multi-year fundraising strategy, aligning goals with organizational growth.
- Conducted first US donor landscape analysis to inform principal giving strategy.
- Strengthened donor relations by managing HNWI portfolios with targeted stewardship.
Senior Cross-Regional Development Coordinator
JUST Associates/JASS
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Coordinated all individual fundraising efforts, helping to secure a $10M donation from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott.
- Exceeded individual donor engagement targets by 185% with tailored communication strategies.
- Managed institutional giving strategy alongside Executive Director and in collaboration with cross-regional teams.
Development Associate
The Fairness Project
02.2020 - 01.2021
- Helped raise $500K in one quarter by adapting strategies to a shifting economic landscape.
- Co-developed 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 giving strategies, enhancing long-term donor retention.
- Improved donor pipeline through focused prospect research and CRM enhancement.
Development Associate
MSI United States
09.2018 - 02.2020
- Boosted annual giving by 35% through stewardship of 120+ HNWI donors.
- Created donor-centric proposals, advancing targeted funding efforts.
- Enhanced CRM data management, improving donor tracking and forecasting accuracy.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies & Gender Studies
Portland State University
Skills
- Major Gifts Strategy
- Major Gifts Portfolio Management
- Donor Cultivation, Solicitation & Stewardship
- Prospect Research, Qualification & Pipeline Management
- HNWI Moves Management
- Executive & Board Donor Enablement
- Donor Events & Experience Strategy
- Persuasive Donor Communications
- Fundraising Systems & CRM Optimization
- Fundraising Metrics & Reporting
- Sensitivity to Power Dynamics in Philanthropy
- Collaborative and Inclusive
- High Emotional Intelligence
Timeline
Senior Manager, Donor Experience & Events
Conservation International
02.2025 - Current
Development & Operations Manager
Fauna & Flora USA
03.2023 - 01.2025
Senior Cross-Regional Development Coordinator
JUST Associates/JASS
01.2021 - 03.2023
Development Associate
The Fairness Project
02.2020 - 01.2021
Development Associate
MSI United States
09.2018 - 02.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies & Gender Studies
Portland State University