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Function as the Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation leading and coordinating all grant program management, fundraising efforts, communications, program initiatives, and daily operations of the Foundation. The position was selected by a majority vote of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and reports directly to the Chair of the Foundation, who oversees the Board of Trustees. -Oversee and maintain the grantmaking efforts of the Foundation including maintaining grant records, overseeing the grantee through the application process, developing and maintaining relationships with grantees, presenting grantee applications to the board with detailed information and anticipated answers to questions about applications, additional grantmaking duties as needed to maintain the grants program-Assist in the creation and implementation of the strategic vision of the Foundation board and organization through a formal strategic planning process -Coordinate all fundraising efforts including donor recruitment and management and coordination of all fundraising events including, but not limited to the Annual Gala, Harlem Wizards Game, and Golf Outing-Coordinates all communications to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees regarding meeting dates, agendas, and committee coordination-Lead the implementation of Foundation initiatives like the Cultural Diversity Celebration and Peace Pole Project-Assist standing and appointed committees to ensure the successful completion of tasks -Assist other CUSD 95 affiliated organizations such as the PTO presidents from the eight schools in providing donor solicitation support and restricted fund management assistance-Maintain an actively engaged position in the community to optimize donor cultivation with local businesses, organizations, and other D95 stakeholders-Maintain and update the website, social media, constant contact, and other communication platforms to keep stakeholders engaged

As a non-profit startup dedicated to a nature-based educational experience for children, this newly appointed role is aimed at growing the organization by establishing funding resources through grants, major donors, donation campaigns, and a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy. -Work directly with the Executive Director to establish and maintain a strategic plan for growth and a clear path to meeting funding and marketing goals -Maintain, update, and oversee a grants database - actively applying to grants, reporting to grantors, and maintaining relationships with grantors-Leading the organization in the Barrington community to engage key stakeholders including donors, and potential and current board members-Maintain, update, and create communications and social media for the larger organization including the creation of email marketing campaigns, social media content, and website updates and development-Oversee and lead branding for the organization; training each co-op leader on branding, marketing, and social media practices so each co-op can successfully carry out marketing initiatives in their own communities

Assisted in founding the organization with Bryan Bickell and his wife, Amanda. Was the sole employee in charge of fundraising including grant-making, grant writing, major donors, large-scale celebrity events, and all donor management while managing multiple ongoing community-based programs, and intern and volunteer programs. -Oversaw and managed all aspects of the Bickell’s grantmaking program, ‘Bick’s Pits’ which provides funding to non-profit animal welfare organizations. This work included maintaining grant records, overseeing the grantee through the application process, developing and maintaining relationships with grantees, and prospecting new grantees-Raised over $400,000 through large-scale annual celebrity fundraising galas in Chicago. Executed everything from sponsorship to the silent auction and day-of management and coordination-Raised over $200,000 through donor relations, grants, and corporate sponsorships in the first year. -Oversaw all aspects of the organization’s accounting, business reporting, and management systems-Assisted in all additional ideas the founders had including; a celebrity-based calendar, sponsor-based fundraising events, events and opportunities in Canada, marketing-based appearances, and public relations opportunities through the Blackhawks-Piloted, managed, and oversaw multiple community programs aimed at decreasing the amount of homeless ‘pit-bull’ type dogs including large-scale vaccination and spay/neuter clinics in low-income areas of Chicago and North Chicago. This included establishing and overseeing the grant-making process for eligible areas and organizations. Assisted over 1,000 families through these programs-Piloted, managed, and oversaw a volunteer-based therapy dog program that assisted victims of child abuse and paired them with dogs who were also former victims of abuse

Increased the organization's budget from $230K to $350K by developing and executing integrated fundraising and marketing strategies that included branding, strategic corporate and foundation partnerships, annual giving, interactive media development, events, direct marketing, and donor relations.-Grew grant funding by 30% and major donors by 10% by cultivating, managing, and stewarding relationships with donors and prospects including individuals, corporations, and foundations.-Generated a 67% increase in revenue from the organization’s largest annual event by leading and developing the planning and execution process, then further applying to other special events.-Led the development of all marketing materials (new logo and website, annual reports, press releases) to position SitStayRead for success and heighten its visibility among constituents.

Appointed to the role in the formative stages of this 501(c)(3) no-kill animal rescue and rehabilitation center. Developed and executed the model for the organization's multi-dimensional operations – animal care and rehabilitation, fundraising, volunteer coordination, management reporting, and Board development.-In the first year, raised $450K by effectively presenting Found's mission and core values to a strong potential donor base by developing strong relationships with individual contributors along with executing large-scale events, grants, and grassroots programming-Rescued and adopted out nearly 300 animals by pioneering innovative rehabilitation and adoption program through collaboration with area trainers-Created a well-established presence for Found in the animal welfare community, as well as in the broader Metropolitan Chicago area, through various strategies of community outreach, media marketing, and relationship building-Developed and documented standard operating procedures for all facets of the organization including medical, kennel, and training. This key deliverable provided necessary structure and consistency to the operation of the organization-Worked hands-on with the rescue dogs as a veterinary assistant gaining valuable experience from partner veterinarians in various medical capacities such as administering vaccinations and medicines, microchips, wound care, IV fluid therapy, and rehabilitation

Managed the donor relations and annual membership program for a national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to farmed animals.-Lead the contribution of 65% of the $500K annual budget via organized fundraising campaigns, private donor events, and individual donor cultivation-Planned and executed large-scale events including the Celebrating Compassion Galas in Chicago, Columbus, and New York City

Responsible for creating media kits for the concert, press releases & media alerts for volunteer fairs, donor events and the band announcement. Acted as a liaison between the organization and media on the day of the concert.