Tomeka Cole

• Lead and oversee all aspects of fundraising, communications, and donor relations for the organization, driving strategies that support a $7M fundraising goal by 2026.

• Spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan, including vertical market approaches that leverage board members to engage high-net-worth individuals within key industries.

• Manage and mentor a team across individual giving, marketing communications, corporate partnerships, data management, and grants.

• Introduced new engagement strategies, such as the ‘Engaging Our Board Within Industries’ initiative, resulting in enhanced board involvement and increased donor engagement.

• Implemented a CRM platform to streamline donor data, improve team collaboration, and ensure a more personalized approach to donor stewardship and communications.

• Coordinated successful high-impact events, including the annual Golf Classic and Dash Away Luncheon, raising over $1M in total revenue.

• Oversee the organization’s brand and communications, ensuring consistent messaging across digital and print platforms, and leading high-visibility campaigns to boost community awareness.

• Developed strong relationships with key corporate and community partners, resulting in several high-profile collaborations and donations, including a $15,000-$17,000 grant for youth programs and a donation of 125 laptops for student use.

• Serve as the primary liaison with the board of directors, providing regular updates and presenting development plans that align with organizational goals.

• Provide thought leadership on the future of youth development and how the organization can continue to innovate in its program offerings and community outreach.

• Led the overall strategy, planning, and execution of development efforts, raising over $5M annually to support critical community programs in education, financial stability, and health.

• Developed and implemented an integrated fundraising plan that included major gifts, corporate partnerships, planned giving, and digital campaigns, significantly increasing donor retention and engagement.

• Managed a team responsible for individual giving, corporate relations, grants, and volunteer engagement, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.

• Drove innovative donor engagement strategies, including launching virtual events and digital campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised over $1.2M in new revenue streams.

• Cultivated relationships with top donors and corporate partners, securing multi-year gifts and increased corporate engagement, resulting in a 15% increase in corporate giving.

• Worked closely with the board of directors and executive leadership team to align development goals with organizational strategy, providing regular updates on fundraising progress and insights for growth.

• Directed high-impact annual campaigns, including the Community Impact Campaign, which exceeded revenue goals and engaged over 200 local businesses and organizations.

• Enhanced data management practices by overseeing the integration of CRM systems, improving donor tracking, and creating customized donor engagement plans based on giving history and preferences.

• Led strategic communications and branding initiatives to elevate the organization’s visibility, ensuring cohesive messaging across all platforms and increasing public awareness of United Way’s mission and impact.

• Spearheaded the launch of the ‘Women United’ initiative, a leadership giving program that engaged local female leaders, raising $500,000 in its first year and fostering a network of strong community advocates.

• Led the Donor Services department, managing a portfolio of over 1,000 individual and corporate donors, contributing to an annual fundraising goal of $20M.

• Developed and implemented customized donor engagement strategies, resulting in a 25% increase in donor retention over a five-year period.

• Managed a team responsible for processing gifts, acknowledging donors, and ensuring a seamless donor experience from initial engagement to stewardship.

• Spearheaded data analysis and reporting initiatives to provide real-time insights into donor behavior, enhancing targeted outreach and personalized communication efforts.

• Oversaw the integration of new CRM systems, streamlining gift processing and improving the accuracy and timeliness of donor communications.

• Collaborated closely with the development and marketing teams to design donor recognition programs and events that celebrated and retained top donors.

• Directed the annual workplace giving campaign for major corporate partners, working with employee giving committees to ensure high participation rates and maximize donations.

• Led cross-departmental efforts to enhance donor satisfaction through clear communication, responsive customer service, and tailored engagement opportunities.

• Provided strategic support to the executive leadership team, including presenting donor trends and insights that informed the organization’s overall fundraising strategy.

• Cultivated relationships with key corporate partners, securing workplace giving commitments that generated more than $10M in corporate contributions over the course of the role.