Stacey MacDonnell
Las Cruces,NM
Summary
Energetic and collaborative professional with more than 15 years of experience in prospect research and prospect management at best-in-class higher education institutions and health care organizations. Experienced with data analytics, campaign metrics, advanced reporting, and strategic decision-making. Successfully managed positive working relationships with high-level institutional leaders and fundraising colleagues in support of multiple $1B+ campaigns.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Vice President, Advancement Services
New Mexico State University
01.2024 - Current
- Manage and lead a team of 11 individuals working in Prospect Management and Research, Data Analytics, Stewardship and Corporate and Foundation Relations
- Built Prospect Management and research program from scratch, including building portfolios for 10 major gift officers, creating over 20,000 human-verified gift capacities, and identified over 600 principal gift level-prospects
- Built stewardship program to “Thank Every Aggie”, which sends student-led thank you videos to every donor regardless of size
- Built and structured data analytics team to begin campaign data analysis and increase data-drive decision making
- Led, created and implemented a database wide Data Clean-up to improve outcomes, set data integrity practices to ensure data will remain consistent in the future, and find new major gift prospects
- Guided CFR professionals to meet and exceed all goals set for them, while exploring national funding opportunities and building a corporate engagement program
Director, Prospect Strategy & Research
Tulane University
New Orleans, USA
01.2017 - Current
- Designed, built and implemented a new Prospect Management system to support the achievement of fundraiser goals with quarterly portfolio reviews, portfolio composition, metrics, policies and procedures, and analytical reporting
- Oversee research, identification, and movement of corporate and foundation prospects while developing strategies to qualify, cultivate, and solicit donors to assure long-term pipeline success as part of a $1.3B campaign
- Create and manage key monthly reporting and data analysis for University and Advancement leadership to track pipeline activity, officer metrics, and campaign and fiscal year forecasting
- Streamline current business processes and policies by developing simplified means of development officer interaction with the advancement database and ease of proposal management
- Produce detailed briefings for high-level University leadership, including the President, Provost, and Deans
- Offer guidance and insight to a team of six (6) development officers on portfolio optimization, prospect prioritization, and strategy recommendations
- Serve as liaison and resource for multiple Advancement and campus-wide departments, including gift processing, stewardship, donor relations, prospect management and research, sponsored project administration, and institutional research
- Effectively manage one full-time research employee and student employees by creating scope of work, measurements of success, and detailed employment plan
Interim Vice President of Development
New Mexico State University
03.2023 - 01.2024
- While serving as Interim VP of Development, led a team of 12, including 10 major gift officers through a period of leadership transition
- Worked with Foundation President to implement new and innovate hybrid fundraising model
- Lead major gifts fundraising and team to meet and exceed goals set for them during this time period
- Provided strategic direction and leadership
Director of Prospect Management and Research
New Mexico State University
09.2022 - 03.2023
- Hired and managed team of 3 prospect research professionals, while building a prospect management and research program from the ground-up
- Implemented best practices from industry to support major gifts fundraising efforts, including identifying best major gift prospects to ensure fundraisers focus was on best possible prospects and providing Presidential and high-level prospect research for University and Foundation Leadership
Assistant Director, Prospect Research
Harvard Law School
Cambridge, USA
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Developed, implemented, and managed systems and procedures to meet the information needs of development staff and other members of the School, such as the Dean, the Associate Dean, and faculty as part of a $9.6B campaign
- Collaborated with Director of Prospect Development on implementation and roll-out of prospect management system including fundraiser portfolio analysis, campaign pipeline maintenance, moves management, and reporting
- Analyzed net worth, estimated gift capacity, and suggested prospect strategy for high-level individuals identified as major gift prospects
- Improved strategies for obtaining new prospects to ensure the ongoing development, expansion, and renewal of the prospect base, to which the school will turn for current and future support
- Maximized research team’s workflow and sense of purpose by enacting policies and reporting measures to track output
- Managed and trained staff in basic research and prospect management procedures
- Assisted management and front-line fundraisers with specific research inquiries while problem-solving and meeting deadlines
Senior Prospect Researcher
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston, USA
11.2006 - 01.2013
- Supported and collaborated with major gifts team on a $1B campaign through research, prospect management, and identification goals
- Oversaw prospect management system, including relationships, assignments, proposals, and moves management
- Led multifaceted research projects by developing project plans, identifying prospects, preparing briefings and lists, and reporting results
- Managed Raiser’s Edge entry, coding, and reporting as needed in support of prospect research and analysis
Assistant Researcher
Elon University
Elon, USA
09.2004 - 05.2006
- Worked as assistant to the Director of Development Research
Prospect Researcher
Boston Children’s Hospital
Boston, USA
- Researched individuals, corporations, and foundations
- Managed constituent records in Raiser’s Edge
- Identified and qualified new prospects
- Communicated effectively with Trust staff and fundraisers
Education
BA - Sociology
Elon University
Elon, NC05.2006
Skills
- Campaign Planning
- Data analytics
- Database Management
- Project Management
- Raiser’s Edge
- Tableau
- Wealth Engine
- LexisNexis
- Dun & Bradstreet
- Factiva
- Guidestar
- KindSight
- RelSci
- Microsoft Office
Hobbies and Interests
- Hiking
- Vintage shopping
- Seinfeld
- Crosswords
- Cats
- National Parks
Timeline
Assistant Vice President, Advancement Services
New Mexico State University
01.2024 - Current
Interim Vice President of Development
New Mexico State University
03.2023 - 01.2024
Director of Prospect Management and Research
New Mexico State University
09.2022 - 03.2023
Director, Prospect Strategy & Research
Tulane University
01.2017 - Current
Assistant Director, Prospect Research
Harvard Law School
01.2013 - 01.2017
Senior Prospect Researcher
Boston Children’s Hospital
11.2006 - 01.2013
Assistant Researcher
Elon University
09.2004 - 05.2006
Prospect Researcher
Boston Children’s Hospital
BA - Sociology
Elon University