Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Raquel Marion-Virgo

Trumbull,CT

Summary

Strategic and relentless C-level fundraising executive with proven proficiency at raising record-setting funds and at leading and inspiring teams to attain new levels of funding success. Consummate people-person with invaluable skills at building trust and long-term relationships with potential donors. Expects and achieves personal and team results while always exhibiting interpersonal respect.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Development

Resolution Project
07.2022 - Current
  • Key fundraising strategist leading a development and communications team for a 15-year organization that has experienced significant growth in the past year. This work has included playing a key role in supporting the organization’s acquisition and strategic partnership with a half-century-old sector partner organization, which nearly doubled the organization’s budget from approximately $3 million to $6 million. Key areas of focus include corporate giving/partnerships, major gifts, annual campaigns, and running two large annual fundraising events.
  • Enhanced donor relationships with personalized communication plans and regular updates on project progress.
  • Developed comprehensive strategic plans to guide long-term growth and sustainability of the organization''s programs.
  • Worked with senior management to define project scope and direction, creating inter-departmental frameworks to drive successful project execution.
  • Key accomplishment includes the development, funding, and launch of Caribbean regional programming and the re-engagement of lapsed funders and donors for organizational strategic partner.
  • Successfully planned and executed special events that raised awareness about the organization''s mission while generating new sources of support.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align programmatic objectives with funding priorities for maximum impact.
  • Mentored junior staff members in best practices for donor relations, proposal writing, and grants management.

Director of Development

NEO Philanthropy - Circle For Justice Innovations
02.2020 - 06.2022
  • Lead and manage fund development for a participatory grantmaking organization supporting organizations nationally in criminal justice organizing and policy advocacy. Significant focus in this role included identifying and securing institutional support for pooled funding, and major gift securement.
  • Key achievements include growing the organization’s budget by more than 50% and creating a new philanthropic fund focused on criminal justice reparations for which I secured a $1.5 million commitment from a single individual donor to launch the fund.
  • Enhanced donor relationships with personalized communication plans and regular updates on project progress.
  • Developed comprehensive strategic plans to guide long-term growth and sustainability of the organization''s programs.
  • Increased fundraising revenue by implementing innovative donor engagement strategies and targeted campaigns.
  • Expanded the organization''s network of supporters through targeted outreach, events, and partnership development.
  • Secured major gifts from high net worth individuals through cultivation efforts, tailored proposals, and stewardship activities.

Interim Director of Development

Root & Rebound
08.2018 - 02.2019
  • Provide interim develop support to oversee the execution of a robust fundraising strategy to support statewide and national reentry programming.
  • Key achievements in this role include the development and launch of a South Carolina child support policy advocacy campaign to eliminate the harmful policy that disproportionately incarcerates Black men for child support arrears.
  • Developed comprehensive strategic plans to guide long-term growth and sustainability of the organization''s programs.
  • Worked with senior management to define project scope and direction, creating inter-departmental frameworks to drive successful project execution.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align programmatic objectives with funding priorities for maximum impact.
  • Implemented data-driven decision-making processes in order to make informed choices regarding fundraising strategies.

Grants Manager

Family ReEntry
05.2017 - 07.2018
  • Work alongside the Executive Director on strategy development for fundraising, infrastructure/capacity, and other key organizational initiatives.
  • Key accomplishments in this role included a significant increase in institutional funding from private foundation support, resulting in the diversification of the funding for an organization historically reliant on government funding.
  • Ensured compliance with donor guidelines, minimizing errors in reporting and enhancing the organization''s reputation.
  • Secured funding for projects by writing persuasive and compelling grant proposals.
  • Coordinated site visits for donors to showcase ongoing initiatives successfully implemented using their funds.
  • Increased success rate in securing grants through meticulous research on potential funding opportunities.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with various donors, fostering trust and collaboration.
  • Streamlined grant application processes by implementing efficient tracking systems and organized databases.
  • Wrote funding requests and grant applications to obtain additional funds for operating needs.
  • Promoted program to funders through direct appeals and special publications or online appeals.

Director of Development

JustLeadershipUSA
02.2016 - 05.2017
  • Work alongside President/Founder to develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan to raise private funding for a small, start-up organization working with the criminal justice reform/advocacy.
  • Key accomplishments in this role led to the significant growth in institutional support for the organization that saw the organization’s budget grow from approximately $3 million to $10 million in one year and the securement of funding for the NYC-based campaign to close the notorious Rikers Island jails.
  • Developed comprehensive strategic plans to guide long-term growth and sustainability of the organization''s programs.
  • Increased fundraising revenue by implementing innovative donor engagement strategies and targeted campaigns.
  • Worked with senior management to define project scope and direction, creating inter-departmental frameworks to drive successful project execution.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align programmatic objectives with funding priorities for maximum impact.

Director of Grants & Government Relations

Inspirica
02.2014 - 08.2016
  • Develop strategy to establish and manage relationships with private and public funding institutions to support housing/homelessness programs.
  • Key accomplishments in this role was the significant increase in institutional funding support from approximately 80 private foundations (up from roughly 40 institutions) and government support (city, state, and federal), securement of the highly competitive Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award
  • Cultivated relationships with institutional funders to secure, maintain, and grow funding.
  • Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide institutional fundraising strategy.

Development Associate & Grant Writer

The Door - A Center Of Alternatives
03.2012 - 02.2014
  • Maintained highly intensive schedule of visiting with potential donors and delivering compelling presentations and comprehensive fundraising proposals.
  • Researched possible grants and created proposals to submit along with grant applications.
  • Completed projects in alignment with target deadlines and financial objectives.
  • Raised funds for crucial projects by identifying and cultivating relationships with prospective donors.
  • Served as liaison between program teams and development department, facilitating efficient information exchange for proposal writing purposes.
  • Conducted thorough research to identify new potential funding sources and partnerships.
  • Streamlined the grant application process, securing more funding opportunities for organizational growth.

Grants Coordinator

Grand Street Settlement
07.2009 - 07.2011
  • Streamlined the grant submission process for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Assisted in the development of new initiatives by identifying potential funding sources that align with organizational goals and objectives, helping expand program offerings over time.
  • Maintained comprehensive records of all submitted applications, awarded grants, correspondence with funders, and related documents for easy reference during audits or other reviews.
  • Facilitated cross-departmental communication to gather necessary data for accurate budgeting and proposal development.
  • Served as a knowledgeable resource for colleagues on grant-related issues, providing guidance and support when needed.
  • Enhanced grant application success by researching and identifying appropriate funding opportunities.
  • Collaborated with program staff to develop compelling grant proposals that aligned with organizational priorities and goals.
  • Established and maintained electronic files for grant-funded projects for tracking and reporting.
  • Managed all aspects of the grant life cycle from initial research to final reporting, ensuring compliance with funder expectations.
  • Improved proposal quality through meticulous editing, proofreading, and adherence to funder requirements.

Development Coordinator

St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corp.
08.2008 - 07.2009
  • Conducted prospect research to identify potential new donors, expanding the organization's funding sources and opportunities.
  • Planned and executed community and stakeholder events to increase engagement and support of youth and family programs.
  • Developed compelling marketing materials for donor communications, effectively conveying the organization''s mission and impact on the community.
  • Regularly attended community events to network with potential donors and partners, effectively representing the organization's interests and mission.
  • Created brochures, invitations, cards and other event and marketing materials.

Education

No Degree - Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy

The American College of Financial Services
Pennsylvania
07.2024

Master of Arts - Political Science (Urban Policy & Administration

CUNY Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY
09.2010

Bachelor of Arts - English

St. John's University
Jamaica, NY
05.2007

Skills

  • Donor Relations
  • Major Gifts Solicitation
  • Corporate Sponsorships
  • Data Management
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Revenue projections
  • Program Development
  • Capital campaigns
  • Fundraising expertise
  • Team Leadership
  • Fundraising
  • Event Planning

Affiliations

  • Black Public Relations Society of New York

Timeline

Director of Development

Resolution Project
07.2022 - Current

Director of Development

NEO Philanthropy - Circle For Justice Innovations
02.2020 - 06.2022

Interim Director of Development

Root & Rebound
08.2018 - 02.2019

Grants Manager

Family ReEntry
05.2017 - 07.2018

Director of Development

JustLeadershipUSA
02.2016 - 05.2017

Director of Grants & Government Relations

Inspirica
02.2014 - 08.2016

Development Associate & Grant Writer

The Door - A Center Of Alternatives
03.2012 - 02.2014

Grants Coordinator

Grand Street Settlement
07.2009 - 07.2011

Development Coordinator

St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corp.
08.2008 - 07.2009

No Degree - Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy

The American College of Financial Services

Master of Arts - Political Science (Urban Policy & Administration

CUNY Brooklyn College

Bachelor of Arts - English

St. John's University

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Raquel Marion-Virgo