Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic

Tandi Perkins

Anchorage,AK

Summary

Experienced development director with over five years of non-profit sector experience. Proven track record in securing philanthropic support through various revenue streams, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation grants, and special events. Skilled in event planning, marketing, public relations, and volunteer management.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Development

Alaska Conference Of Seventh-day Adventist
02.2018 - Current
  • Created and established a development de Alaska Conference in support of Arctic Mission Adventure (AMA), a donor-supported outreach ministry to Alaska Native communities.
  • Collaborates with the Alaska Conference President and AMA Director to develop short and long-term strategic goals supporting the AMA mission.
  • Developed and periodically reviewed the policies and procedures for fundraising within the conference.
  • Established and Implemented a donor-centric stewardship program that involves various touchpoints to strengthen donor loyalty to AMA. This includes thank-you calls, cards, annual impact reports, and digital newsletters.
  • Collaborated with the conference communications director to create and develop social media campaigns, marketing, and public relations materials, as well as annual Union offering promotions and donor reports.
  • Collaborates with the VP of Finance to create and oversee the annual budgets for development, marketing, and public relations. Conducts cost/benefit analysis to evaluate program effectiveness.
  • Collaborated with the conference treasury department and the AMA director to ensure proper stewardship of donor-restricted and unrestricted funds.
  • Instrumental in the development of annual budget as well as created and maintained budgets for all fundraising events.
  • Created and submitted required impact reports to funding agencies, donors, Alaska conference team, and the Alaska Conference Executive Committee, to foster positive relationships among entities and to ensure the reputation of AMA as an ethical, transparent, and accountable ministry.
  • Responsible for implementing and managing community fundraisers for organizations. My duties include developing marketing materials for each event, securing local sponsors and participants, cultivating media support to help expand coverage of the organization's mission, overseeing event planning, developing and leading fundraising committees, and ensuring the success of each event.
  • Developed new funding sources as well as researched, prepared, submitted, and secured over $100,000 annually through individual, foundation, corporate, and private grant proposals, ultimately supporting all program activity.
  • Coordinated proposals for donation requests, contacted, met with, and developed relationships with prospective donors.
  • Responsible for the creation of the "Be the Village" monthly donor campaign.
  • Managed Network for Good, the organization's donor tracking system; oversaw proper input of donations, ensuring donor recognition and maintaining personal contact with donors.
  • Manage a team of three volunteers.
  • Served as primary contact and spokesperson for AMA.

Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Alaska Conference Of Seventh-day Adventists
02.2018 - Current
  • Collaborated with the conference communication and graphic design department to create and disseminate print and digital advertisements, informational materials, mission impact stories, convention exhibit promotional materials, and other community fair events.
  • Successfully raised awareness and visibility of Arctic Mission Adventure (AMA) through advertisements and impact stories in print and online magazines and newsletters, including The Gleaner, Adventist Review, NAD News Points, Mission 360, Adventist News Network, Adventist World, and Adventist Today.
  • Successfully raised awareness and visibility of Arctic Mission Adventure (AMA) through interviews on the Hope Channel's "Revival for Missions," interviewed by Elder Ted Wilson and Derek Morris (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P7cqcGb3VA); "3ABN Today", interviewed by Angela Lomacang, the North American Divisions Ministerial 2023 eHuddle, the NAD's year-end meetings, and other local and national church spotlight speaking invitations.
  • Collaborated with a videographer as the producer and director of promotional videos to showcase AMA's work in Alaska (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzvj0hLMnTc)
  • Collaborated with the communications department to create an AMA website (www.arcticmissionadventure.org), Facebook and Instagram pages, and a new YouTube channel.
  • Created and facilitated educational and visibility opportunities for mission groups and Conference, Union, and NAD leadership site visits to remote Alaska to leverage a network of support for AMA.
  • Created and wrote content for annual fund brochures, direct mail appeals, e-solicitations, and major donor appeals.
  • Developed, marketed, and conducted Regional special events.
  • Responsible for implementing and managing organizations' community fundraisers; securing local sponsors and participants; cultivating media support to help expand coverage of the organizations' mission, overseeing event planning, developing and leading fundraising committees, and ensuring the success of each event.
  • Served as an articulate, passionate, and visible spokesperson for the Alaska Conference and AMA.

Client Services Coordinator

Philanthropic Services For Institutes
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Research corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and individuals to evaluate donor prospects for all NAD entities and mission project criteria.
  • Provided recommendations for next steps in applying for funding.
  • Expert in using the Foundation Center and GrantStation search engines.
  • Applied knowledge of fundraising principles in consultation with nonprofits in establishing their strategic plan and development departments.
  • Served as an expert on the Crowdfunding committee of the GC World Missions VividFaith initiative that connects missionaries with service opportunities.
  • Served on the committee for NAD refugees to develop a national communication and resource network connecting church entities and refugee missions.
  • Served as resource manager to research fundraising trends and provide PSI staff and constituents with webinars, articles, books, and classes covering cutting-edge topics.
  • Reviewed and resolved client concerns and issues, researching relevant details and clearly communicating solutions.
  • Followed up with PSI clients through calls and emails to proactively resolve issues and maintain quality customer service and satisfaction.
  • Scheduled and confirmed client appointments with PSI director.
  • Managed and updated client account information to keep PSI records accurate and current.
  • Personalized client experience by identifying their unique needs and providing relevant information and services to match those needs.
  • Greeted incoming clients to provide immediate, friendly, and knowledgeable support.

Director of Capital Campaign

Reaching Hearts International
01.2015 - 01.2016
  • Secured $175,000 in 9 months for a church-building capital campaign through effective donor cultivation and major gift solicitations.
  • Increased donations by 51% within three months of the start of the campaign.
  • Created a $10,000 matching campaign that was reached in one week.
  • Demonstrated a commitment to and passion for church mission.
  • Developed a strategic plan, mission statement, and timeline for the campaign.
  • Coordinated a team of five volunteers.
  • Served on the church board of directors and was responsible for 100% of board member participation in giving.
  • Served as the public relations coordinator of the campaign.
  • Effectively steward donors through phone calls, handwritten thank-you notes, and small gifts.
  • Presented weekly updates to the congregation.
  • Created and published a monthly e-letter.
  • Established online giving.
  • Created and maintained the capital campaign landing page of the church's website.

Wildlife Research Scientist

Multiple State, Federal, And Academic Entities
05.1997 - 09.2015
  • Project leader in multiple wetland ecology research projects, managing teams in conducting research spanning topics from endangered bird reintroductions and habitat use to wetland system dynamics under human-induced management changes.
  • Synthesized, analyzed, wrote, and submitted research data and results in scientific journals.
  • Developed and cultivated relationships across all levels and entities, from local farmers to academic members and regional and national scientists.
  • Presented research at local, regional, national, and international conferences.

Advertising Acount Executive

Abrams Associates
01.1990 - 01.1992
  • Developed strong relationships with advertisers and negotiated pricing following established procedures.
  • Communicated regularly with territory, regional, and strategic managers for daily support and strategic planning for accounts.
  • Used consultative sales techniques to pinpoint customers' advertising needs and close short-term and long-term sales contracts.
  • Conducted market research to attract clients in new territories.
  • Directed copy preparation, proof evaluation, and layout enhancement for advertising materials.
  • Created and presented media and advertising packages to prospective customers.
  • Directed creative aspects of advertising campaigns.

Education

Master of Science - Wildlife Ecology

University of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia, MO

Bachelor of Science - Wildlife Ecology

University of Maine
Orono, ME

No Degree - Principle & Techniques of Fundraising

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Indianapolis, IN
2016

Ph.D. - Wildlife Ecology

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD
12.2015

Skills

  • Building long-term relationships
  • Securing major gifts
  • Donor-centric fundraising
  • Strong verbal communication
  • Data management
  • Excellent written Skills
  • Public speaking
  • Team centered
  • Critical thinking
  • Computer skills - CRM
  • Team Management
  • Supervision & leadership'
  • Troubleshooting
  • Planning & organizing

Accomplishments

  • Collaborated with leadership to create and establish a new Alaska Conference development department.
  • Increased and met annual fundraising goal of $400,000, including $300,000 for operations.
  • Increased donations by 420% over five years for a total of over 2.2 million dollars raised to date.
  • Increased donor base by 195% over five years.

References

1. Dr. Lilya Wagner, Retired Director of PSI

     lilyawagner@outlook.com

     (317) 250-8274 - cell


2. Elder Jim Jensen, VP of Finance,

    Alaska Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

    jim.jensen@alaskaconference.org

   (720) 318-6933 - cell


3. Elder Rick Remmers, Assistant to the President 

    North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist

    RickRemmers@nadadventist.org

    (240) 291-5799 - cell


4. Pastor Daniel Jean-Francois, Ministerial Director and Pastor

    Alaska Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

    daniel.jeanfrancois@alaskaconference.org

    (347) 515-0459

Timeline

Director of Development

Alaska Conference Of Seventh-day Adventist
02.2018 - Current

Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Alaska Conference Of Seventh-day Adventists
02.2018 - Current

Client Services Coordinator

Philanthropic Services For Institutes
01.2016 - 01.2018

Director of Capital Campaign

Reaching Hearts International
01.2015 - 01.2016

Wildlife Research Scientist

Multiple State, Federal, And Academic Entities
05.1997 - 09.2015

Advertising Acount Executive

Abrams Associates
01.1990 - 01.1992

Master of Science - Wildlife Ecology

University of Missouri - Columbia

Bachelor of Science - Wildlife Ecology

University of Maine

No Degree - Principle & Techniques of Fundraising

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Ph.D. - Wildlife Ecology

South Dakota State University
Tandi Perkins