Wendy Elliott
Oklahoma City,OK
Summary
Talented fundraising professional, event planner, and team leader with a strong track record of success in surpassing fundraising goals. Confident in leading teams and making tough decisions to optimize fundraising operations. Motivates staff to reach ever-higher targets.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
VP of Development
City Rescue Mission
04.2023 - 09.2024
- Increased major donor engagement by {30%} by fostering relationships with key stakeholders
- Achieved {$7 Mil.} fundraising goal by analyzing performance metrics and optimizing strategies
- Expanded funding sources by {20%} by creating innovative donor engagement strategies
- Supported organizational growth by managing a team of {4} directors and {2} managers for strategic initiatives
- Developed and executed strategic plans for long-term growth in development and communications
- Managed communications for strategic fundraising initiatives with cross-functional teams
- Drove organizational advancement by building strategic relationships in the business community
- Aligned communications efforts with strategic goals for improved stakeholder engagement by collaborating with leadership
- Enhanced donor and community engagement by acting as liaison between staff and board committees
- Set revenue targets and diversified funding by formulating strategies and innovative approaches
- Served as the organization's primary contact for all media relations regarding events impacting individuals experiencing homelessness
VP of Community Impact
United Way of Central Oklahoma
05.2022 - 04.2023
- Managed the volunteer-driven community investment operation, emphasizing safeguarding the United Way brand's integrity
- Spearheaded efforts to unite community organizations, civic leaders, business figures, and stakeholders to forge and enact plans for community betterment, in health and human services
- Collaborated with business leaders to strategically guide the community investment process, aligning corporate resources with impactful local initiatives
- Oversaw the department's various functions including the Community Investment process, volunteer recruitment and coordination, and partner agency relationship management
- Oversaw community partnership endeavors, including managing the WayFinder grant program and additional initiatives as needed
- Formulated and administered the department's budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility
- Fostered effective team environment by directing a staff of directors and managers in the Community Impact Department
- Collaborated with board-level committees, compromised of leaders in Oklahoma City's business community, to achieve the organization's strategic objectives
Grants Manager
Alliance for Early Success
02.2014 - 05.2022
- Planned and Executed events including a national conference with {500} attendees
- Coordinated with vendors, managed logistics, and ensured seamless event operations to deliver a high-quality experience for attendees
- Cultivated and maintained strong relationships, serving as the primary liaison with a national network of investors
- Ensured timely project completion by resolving issues and providing strategic recommendations to {20} contractors
- Developed grant management policies and procedures for a grantee network in all 50 states
- Engaged in ongoing conversations with funders and partners about the current DEI/REI policies being implemented at organizations the Alliance funded
- Administered and managed electronic grant applications and files throughout the entire grant lifecycle, including contracts
- Managed electronic grant applications for {80+} grants through full lifecycle
- Utilized a CRM such as Salesforce and Blackbaud products
Quality Improvement Controller
Sam Rodgers
01.2012 - 02.2014
- Cultivated and developed robust partnerships among stakeholders including funders
- Authored and managed grants ranging from $50,000 to $12 million
- Developed and managed special events and community engagement initiatives in collaboration with local civic and business leaders, driving impactful connections and fostering community growth
- Identify major gifts and funding opportunities in the Kansas City metro, statewide, and federally
- Managed various federal, state, and private grants programs to ensure all performance objectives are met
- Develop develop and launch social media program
- Developed relationships with mid-level and major donors
- Led a team of professionals delivering services both at Sam Rodgers and throughout the community
- Work with a diverse group of community organizations such as Susan G
- Komen and American Heart Association to develop ongoing partnerships
- Served as trainer for AmeriCorps National Direct trainings
VP of Administration & Finance
Youth Volunteer Corps (National Headquarters)
09.2002 - 12.2011
- Expanded the YVC network by developing and solidifying relationships with independent 501(c)3 organizations and public/private schools nationally
- Identify grant opportunities and write proposals, obtained over $5 million in grant funding, including an AmeriCorps National Direct
- Primary point of contact for Affiliates with AmeriCorps National Direct members
- Trainer at CNCS national meetings
- Point of contact for CNCS staff regarding AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve grant
- Collaborated closely with the founders and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, including Hallmark Cards and KPMG, to advance the mission of YVC, leveraging their expertise and resources to drive significant organizational growth and impact
- Cultivated, developed, and sustained partnerships with local, state, and national funders to meet annual budget goals in excess of $2 million
- Collaborated with the CEO to analyze donor performance metrics and explore strategies for increasing the donor base, ensuring the organization consistently met and exceeded fundraising goals
- Planned and executed key YVC special events, including major fundraising initiatives, the 20th Anniversary Summit, and annual YVC Conferences, ensuring each event's success and alignment with organizational goals
- Supervised office staff and served as the primary point of contact for YVC Affiliate Directors across the country
- Mentored and trained nonprofit leaders across the United States
Education
Master of Public Administration -
Texas Tech
Lubbock, TX05.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Texas Tech
Lubbock12.1999
Skills
- Budgeting
- Digital Marketing
- Partnership management
- Prospect targeting
- Organizational development
- Work force management
- Strong proposal writer
- Relationship building and rapport
- Forecasting and planning
- Team collaboration
- Operations
- Proposal development
- Staff management
- Performance metrics
- Social media marketing
- CRM software proficiency
- Training and mentoring
- Proposal writing
- CRM platforms
- Mentoring and coaching
- Experience with Various Fundraising Strategies
- Mid and Major Donor Portfolio Management
- Direct Mail
- Text Messaging Fundraising
- Grant Writing
- MS Excel
- MS PowerPoint
- MS SharePoint
- MS Teams
- MS Word
- QuickBooks
- Raiser's Edge Nonprofit CRM Fundraising Software
- Strategic Planning
- Media Communications
- Major Event Planning
- Contract Negotiations
- Supervisory Skills
- Team Management
- Volunteer Management
- DEI Training
- Salesforce CRM
Accomplishments
- Exceeded Fundraising Goals: Raised $7 million by optimizing fundraising strategies in under a year at City Rescue Mission.
- Fundraising Events: Hosted high-impact fundraising events, including a gala that raised over $500,000, significantly contributing to the organization’s financial goals.
- Expanded Funding Sources: Secured over $5 million in funding through targeted grant proposals and relationship-building with local and national funders.
- Launch Grant Management System: Implemented the FLUXX grant management system for use by over 80 grantees.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
VP of Development
City Rescue Mission
04.2023 - 09.2024
VP of Community Impact
United Way of Central Oklahoma
05.2022 - 04.2023
Grants Manager
Alliance for Early Success
02.2014 - 05.2022
Quality Improvement Controller
Sam Rodgers
01.2012 - 02.2014
VP of Administration & Finance
Youth Volunteer Corps (National Headquarters)
09.2002 - 12.2011
Master of Public Administration -
Texas Tech
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Texas Tech
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