Danielle Pekalski Email & Phone Number

New York, New York, United States

United States

Greater New York City Area

Greater New York City Area

New York, Ny

I migrated donor data from The Raiser’s Edge (RE) into Blackbaud CRM (BCRM) while simultaneously learning the new platform and creating guides to teach other staff how to use it. While we originally had a database of around 140,000 constituents, we culled the list to about 5,000 active, engaged donors. I also learned other platforms, such as ImportOmatic, which I used to bring in large volumes of smaller gifts from our Bowl-A-Thons, a peer-to-peer fundraiser into RE. Our largest source of revenue comes from our Bowl-A-Thons, where we raise over 85% of our funding. Before I started, these small gifts were aggregated and entered as a lump sum into the database. We also shifted from Kintera Sphere and Blackbaud Merchant Services to QGiv for our online transactions, and Blackbaud Netcommunity to Emma. Along with managing the database I enter and process gifts, reconcile revenue with our Finance department, produce lists for eblasts and mailings and identify gifts from conduits such as America's Charities, EasyMatch and YourCause.

New York, Ny

At the Women’s Refugee Commission, my main objective is to streamline and systematize as much of the work as possible to ensure efficiency for the Development team. As a staff of two, it is extremely important to create organized systems to help with my supervisor’s workload, as well as my own, and to ensure that my supervisor’s position is supported by me as much as possible.I serve as Administrator for Blackbaud products such as The Raiser’s Edge and Luminate. I manage and maintain the integrity of the database, entering and updating information, importing data as needed. I cleaned the data to ensure data is properly formatted and is as accurate as possible. I recently took our mailing list for our annual Luncheon, imported it into the Raiser’s Edge, and insured that the data between the organization and our event consultant were as accurate and up to date as possible. This included contact information, relationships to the organization and key people associated with the organization, types of solicitation letter the constituent should receive and whether the Executive Director should send a personalized note. Of most importance was ensuring that the most up to date data was used.I also generate reports, queries, exports and lists for mailings and appeals such as our Year End Appeal mailing list and gift tracking, and our Luncheon mailing list and gift tracking. For donations processing, I handle all donations made via mail, phone, and online. I also manage and update the donation page on our website. I am also responsible for our monthly giving program with the intention to grow it into a giving society. I also track and manage our matching gifts and employee giving initiatives. My position has had many challenges as a result of high turnover. The challenges were a great learning experience resulting in Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser’s Edge (bCRE) at the Associate Level in December 2013.

New York, Ny

I managed our monthly donor group, the Month of Sundays Club, where I send “welcome” letter to new members of MOS monthly, segment lapsed donors and contact multiple times (3-4 times), and update donor information when they respond back. I send reminders to current donors twice a month, set up policies and procedures for handling lapsed donors. I look over PayPal decline reports weekly, and contact donors for new card information.I also managed our Marathon team. I help runners register, arrange meetings, answer general questions, get their jerseys and make sure they arrive to the starting line. Working with tribute donations, I verified tribute card addresses to increase chance that card will be delivered to recipient. I ensured recipient will not discard the notification card, thinking the card is a solicitation. I personalized the tribute card to emphasize the significance of the gift, and the occasion in which it’s given.During the late summer-winter season, I managed our Holiday Card program with the Direct Marketing Managedr, as well as our Marathon team. I managed credit card donations as well as corporate match/employee giving gifts, such as contacting donors if information is incorrect, and forward relevant information to other staff as needed. As the main point person for phone calls in the department, I answered basic FAQs to more specific questions a donor has, to the best of my ability. If necessary, I transfered them to another staff member to address their needs.I assisted the Director of Direct Marketing with tasks such as proofing copy, trouble shooting Raiser's Edge questions, taking on additional projects as needed. I also interviewed meal recipients for fundraising purposes. I work with the Director of Direct Marketing and our website team on web updates, emails, etc. I supported other staff members as needed with data entry and gift processing, answering and directing phone calls, and general support as needed.

New York, Ny

At Gilda’s Club New York City I officially began my career in fundraising and development. I was part of a three person Development team. I supported the Director of Development in general fundraising efforts, as well as with our events. In general fundraising, I managed the Raiser's Edge database and maintained all donor and member records and files. I processed all donations, created donation acknowledgement letters, and kept the hard copy files in order. I maintained the integrity of the donor database including data entry, resolution of duplicate entries, and ensured complete and accurate data.Alongside managing the database, I also produced reports to track fundraising results and creating queries I was responsible for the tracking and reporting on the status of donor prospects and re-solicitation activities within the comprehensive development campaign. As requested, I would conduct prospect and donor research.With the Events Coordinator, I also provided support for the Spring Luncheon and the Fall Gala, as well as smaller third party events and fundraising, communications and outreach activities. Aside from financial tracking, I also made solicitation phone calls for sponsorship, auction items, and goodie bag items. I also coordinated the program journal with our designer, insuring the correct size, color, and design of the journal advertisement. I also and designed and photographed auction item materials such as the silent auction sheet, and photographs of auction items.Pertaining to Social Media, I managed our Facebook, Twitter and email communications systems. I would find articles or news relevant to the organization and post these on our Facebook page, asking friends to ask questions or comment on their experience.I worked with our Finance department to reconcile all income on a monthly basis, and with auditors annually to ensure our financial information was correct and up to date.

New York, Ny

At Armenia Fund USA I learned the fundamentals of understanding databases, how to enter data consistently, and how to manipulate data to create reports. I learned all that I have from the Executive Director, who had great experience with databases. After my training, I was responsible for the collection of donor information and maintenance of the organization's donor database. I also processed gifts and prepared acknowledgement letters, including banking deposits, reports and directory updates.I also supported the Executive Director with our events such as an annual Thanksgiving Telethon with the West Coast Affiliate in California, as well as a gala at the United Nations. My experience at Armenia Fund USA gave me the training I needed to develop my skills with databases, with non-profit work in general and with event planning. With her direction, I decided to work on specializing in fundraising and development.

Brooklyn, Ny

While at SABA I worked with the Executive Director and staff in developing and implementing social services including educational and cultural programs, such as the After School Tutoring Program. I also represented SABA at award orientation and project planning committees with various organizations. Highlights of my accomplishments include designing our business cards, designing and updating our website, and coordinating a women's fundraising event with the Executive Director.

Education record

Studied the visual arts and gained a Regents diploma.

Ba, Political Science, International Relations

*Studied in Washington, D.C. and took courses on the American Economy, the American Political System, American Public Policy and Interned.

Self Instructed Language Program (Silf)-Modern Standard Arabic

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Political Science And Government

Master Of Education - Med, Special Education And Teaching, 3.798