Christopher Riker Email & Phone Number

Grand Rapids, Mi, Us

1 S Harbor Drive, Grand Haven, Mi 49417

Responsible for the asset development and promotional efforts of the foundation. Oversees donor services, fundraising, gift recognition, special events, and marketing activities. Responsible for creating new funds and delivering services to donors.

Kalamazoo

Led the vision, mission and strategic execution of all marketing and communication initiatives. Managed staff, volunteers, vendors and continuously increased year-round exposure through innovative tactics despite reduced capacity.Assisted in the development of the marketing and communication strategy related to the consolidation of the Greater Kalamazoo United Way and United Way of Greater Battle Creek. Led rebranding efforts of the merged organization; including a new website that increased in year-round traffic and generated more than $125,000 in online contributions during the last 5 years. Led product development, promotion, and sales training; achieved #1 ranking nationwide in per capita giving in 2013 and awarded Best Campaign Materials by the Michigan Association of United Ways in 2016. Developed community impact scorecard. Secured more than $1 million in pro-bono support over a decade from an award-winning digital advertising agency.Led all social media strategies and market research efforts; achieving an overall favorability rating of 95.4% among donors in 2014.Envisioned, developed and successfully implemented a region-wide co-branded billboard campaign that engages more than 35 area businesses annually. Envisioned, developed and collaboratively implemented a statewide promotional campaign that annually leverages paid and unpaid media, expands reach, and successfully raises overall brand awareness.Raised more than $365,000 in donations from a single business since 2006 and successfully secured an additional $15,000 from two area family foundations in 2013.Co-led with Human Resources the workforce planning initiative around attraction, retention and development of talent. Conducted online research of motivators and de-motivators, recommended formalizing process for capturing and sharing feedback and supporting employees to prevent voluntary separation.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

Led the vision, mission and strategic execution of all marketing and communication initiatives. Member of the strategic planning committee.Led product development, promotion and sales training that resulted in year-over-year increases in annual giving for 10 of 11 years. Developed and launched initial website that was recognized as Best in Class among all United Way agencies and won a Standard of Excellence Award from Web Marketing Association of America.Restructured business model to better execute and deliver marketing, public relations, and communication programs to reach over 19,000 donors, 300 corporations, 60 area health and human service agencies, and media outlets across southwest Michigan annually.Restructured and managed a volunteer outreach program that has increased volunteer participation by 73% over a five-year period.Developed the Lifeline Initiative concept and related support materials that resulted in over $4.2 million being raised and invested back into programs that met emerging Kalamazoo County needs.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

Managed relationships with 116 accounts that contributed approximately $1.5 million annually.Given responsibility for 11 of the top 35 accounts based on high performance.Established 35 new market accounts in first year of responsibility.