Robert Easly, Jr.
Director Of Advancement
Baton Rouge,LA
Summary
Highly skilled Advancement Officer and strategist with ten years of experience securing fundraising, stewardship, corporate relations, and institutional advancement. Demonstrated success building relationships with community leaders to influence donor population. Proven experience developing and executing programming to achieve philanthropic objectives. Tenacious team leader with strategic and analytical approach to solving problems, identifying and cultivating new constituents and accomplishing profit targets. Talented in identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends to provide greater impact to beneficiaries.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Director of Advancement
SU Agricultural Research And Extension Center
09.2020 - Current
- Directed internal team to develop strategic plan to secure record-breaking fundraising goals.
- Pioneered annual fund campaign through launch of alumni association; authored bylaws and created donor circles.
- Directed all fundraising activities including grant writing, special events, donor engagement, direct mail, and viral appeals.
- Facilitated use of CRM system (Blackbaud: Raiser’s Edge) for prospect and evaluation annually.
- Developed team and agent-to-youth information for virtual meetings and state premier programming.
- Cultivated and stewarded existing corporate relations and established robust portfolio of corporate sponsors.
- Directed production of special events for donors, corporate partners, federal agencies, and students for strategic engagement and return on investments.
- Launched interdepartmental job fair to increase student placement opportunities post-graduation and internship opportunities.
- Implemented concise and consistent communications to constituents to share impact and advancements.
- Increased fundraising revenue by 37 % and grew number of annual donors over 128%
- Designed innovative campaigns to raise awareness and generate support for organization's mission, leading to increased contributions from new and existing donors
- Established robust performance metrics to evaluate fundraising success, enabling adjustments to be made based on real-time insights
Extension Associate
Louisiana State University AgCenter
01.2020 - 09.2020
- Conferred with design and production teams to identify and resolve issues negatively affecting LA 4-H Youth event operations.
- Developed team and agent-to-youth information for virtual meetings and state premier programming.
- Designed, implemented, and evaluate events that strategically positions 4-H Youth Development Program for broader reach and enhanced engagement throughout Louisiana.
- Provided leadership, direction, and coordination among participants, staff, and volunteers during event program/production.
- Designed and launched post-event analysis to assess opportunities and make recommendations for improving events and services to internal and external constituencies, and to implement recommendations as appropriate.
- Maintain state 4-H event policies and procedures to ensure consistency in management of all state events and comply with laws, and LSU AgCenter and 4-H policies.
- Responsible for development/coordination and distribution of event marketing information.
- Provided leadership for development and implementation of youth leadership programs and opportunities at club, parish, regional, and state levels.
- Developed and supported innovative professional development efforts, such as online and face-to face trainings to enhance both event participation and youth leadership programs/opportunities.
- Played an integral role in launching successful projects by coordinating tasks among team members while adhering closely to established timelines and budgets
- Enhanced team productivity by streamlining communication and implementing efficient project management tools
Program Director
Southern University System Foundation
07.2016 - 01.2020
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Managed marketing, application, determination, and disbursement of student scholarship program.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Orchestrated smooth and efficient program development by collaborating cross-functionally across departments and campuses.
- Provided grant proposals through strategic research and collaboration throughout Southern University System's five campuses, assisting in execution and reporting to both nonprofit and Federal funding agencies.
- Maintained compliant record keeping, reporting, and closeout support throughout federally funded projects for Southern University System.
- Advanced skillset using Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.
- Established history of direct engagement with donors and constituents on individual basis to build capacity and retention through impact reporting and valuing donor intent.
- Developed and organized routine and special educational programming for Valdry Center for Philanthropy by factoring in slot timing, current trends, demographics and other important parameters.
- Designed and managed online donor profiles using Raiser's Edge Online Express and JavaScript.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making techniques to ensure alignment with organizational goals
- Evaluated program performance through comprehensive data analysis, driving continuous improvement efforts
Education
Master of Science - Urban Forestry/Natural Resource Conservation
Southern University And A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA 08.2015 - 12.2018
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Sciences
Southern University And A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA 08.2011 - 05.2015
Skills
Database Management: Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge
Donor Prospect and Evaluation
Wealth Analytics
Endowment Management
Corporate Relations
Volunteer Management
Special Event Production
Corporate Partnerships
Annual Giving
Donor Relations
Endowment building
Professional Experience
- Increased Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center's fundraising revenue exceeding 70% in Year-1
- Eight years of successful grant procurement and management at a value of $3 million
- Established College of Agriculture Alumni Society to increase alumni participation and giving
- Produced two fundraising events yielding two new scholarship funds
- Increased corporate support portfolio by 20%
Volunteer Experience
- Board Member: Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Baton Rouge Chapter- Chair of Young Professionals Committee
- Board Member: Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Baton Rouge Chapter- Vice President of Membership
- BREC- Green Force Volunteer- The Green Force was created to provide an outlet for volunteers dedicated to creating healthier and more native natural areas within East Baton Rouge Parish.
Certification
The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Timeline
Director of Advancement
SU Agricultural Research And Extension Center
09.2020 - Current
Extension Associate
Louisiana State University AgCenter
01.2020 - 09.2020
Program Director
Southern University System Foundation
07.2016 - 01.2020
Master of Science - Urban Forestry/Natural Resource Conservation
Southern University And A & M College
08.2015 - 12.2018
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Sciences
Southern University And A & M College
08.2011 - 05.2015