Initially hired as Director of Development, the Board promoted Prohaska to President & CEO effective Jan. 1, 2021. Prohaska sets and implements the strategic vision for the organization – along with the Board – leads the organization’s fundraising efforts, builds and maintains the unique LVS organizational culture, serves as the primary public face of the organization to the community, sets and maintains the organization’s brand, provides leadership in financial management, serves as the primary ambassador to the Board of Directors, and takes responsibility for the growth and increased impact of the organization in achieving its mission.Accomplishments:• Created and executed an annual Fund Development Plan with key reporting metrics.• Created and lead the Palmetto Vision Alliance to maximize resources for blind and visually impaired persons in SC through collaboration, cooperation, and coordination among more than 16 key service stakeholders.• Managed a Pivot Campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic raising $100,000 in 9 weeks.• Secured a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.• Established new donor recognition programs for planned giving, monthly giving, and lifetime giving donor circles.• Created and executed a multi-channel institutional communications calendar.

Prohaska managed all aspects of the Center’s fundraising program to advance its conservation and education mission, including a Membership program, the Wingswood Society, a major gifts program, a corporate gifts program, a newly created planned giving program, writing grant proposals and reports, conducting prospect research, organizing special events that successfully raise six figures, and managing volunteer and paid staff. Prohaska directly oversaw the Advancement Associate, worked alongside the Administrative and Marketing Communications Manager as well as other departmental directors, reported to and worked with the Executive Director, and worked with the Center’s Board of Directors. Prohaska also managed reporting on the organizational budget and monthly forecast updates with the Center's Treasurer.Accomplishments:• Created a "Year of the Bird" program that effectively harnessed peer-to-peer engagement among corporate donors and secured new funding from corporate and foundation donors.• Assisted in the creation and implementation of a new Strategic Plan, capital campaign feasibility study, and capital campaign planning.• Created and managed a new Planned Giving program identifying over $250,000 in gifts.• Staffed a major gifts campaign raising $1,533,185 in 2017 to reduce the Center’s debt by 83%.• Created written operating procedures, annual planning, benchmark reporting, individual donor stewardship plans, and data analytics for the Development Program.• Created an annual Fund Development Plan with key reporting metrics.

Prohaska joined the Advancement and Alumni office in the newly created position of Principal Gifts Coordinator. This role focused on using the Raiser’s Edge CRM system more efficiently for communication segmentation, reporting, and donor cultivation. This position also created and maintained a monthly e-newsletter for alumni, helped coordinate special events, and engaged a portfolio of donors through the systematic use of individual donor cultivation plans. Prohaska was promoted to the position of Development Associate and priority was given to expand donor cultivation and solicitation, increase institutional collaboration with Erskine Theological Seminary, grow involvement with church congregations, enhance alumni engagement, and secure state funding from the Department of Public Safety for a Law Enforcement Victim Advocate.Accomplishments:• The successful creation of a curriculum minor for undergraduate students in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation launched a strategic partnership with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation and Berry College.• Helped the Advancement Team raise a record $1,734,024 annual fund campaign.• Helped formalize the establishment of a Seminary Scholarship Fund with a lead gift through a bequest.• Successfully transitioned a portfolio of donor relationships to other key staff to maintain institutional affinity and continuity among donors.