Eldon Lewis Email & Phone Number

United States

Houston, Texas, Us

I partner with the Chief Advancement Officer to envision, develop, and execute specific engagement opportunities to meet KIPP's ambitious fundraising goals. As a member of the statewide leadership team, I support the acquisition of new donors and supporters for KIPP's work in Austin, Dallas, and Houston including identifying new prospects, crafting engagement plans, and cultivating relationships.☞Coach and manage the institutional fundraising and operations team at KIPP Texas Public Schools ☞Partner with KTX's CEO and CDO in relationship-building activities and, when appropriate, lead strategic discussions about fundraising☞Support the COVID-19 relief efforts for KIPP Texas Public Schools which resulted in over $500K+ in direct aid to families and $1.2M raised☞ Lead the design of tools, systems, and processes to support effective collaboration both within the team and with external partners☞ Maintain a portfolio of donors and support the stewardship of high-value institutional donors with the CEO and CAO.☞ Serve as a partner with fundraising counsel, CEO, and CDO on implementing strategies to meet the organization's 85M capital campaign goal.

Houston, Texas, Us

I lead efforts to build and steward exceptional relationships with funders and supporters of KIPP Texas Public Schools. I manage, and coach a team to reach KIPP's fundraising goals and build a network of external supporters who are inspired and activated by our impact. I primarily focused on 1) setting a comprehensive, donor-centric fundraising plan that strategically leverages the CEO, CDO, and 2) shepherding a portfolio of donors through a relationship management process. I ensure all activities are systematic and aligned with the annual development plan.

Houston, Texas, Us

Lead the statewide grant development strategy for all KIPP Texas regions (Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio) of KIPP Texas Public Schools. Prioritize key actions for the CDO and CEO to take, such as external meetings, and/or correspondence, and prepare them to execute stewardship plans.☞Built out the grant management infrastructure for one of the largest charter networks in Texas.☞Coached and mentored a team of grant professionals.☞Led the submission of competitive grant applications.

Houston, Texas, Us

Promoted to lead development services functions which included the management of the Raiser’s Edge database. Highlights:☞ Secured $700,000 in funding from the State of Texas to support elementary programming at KHPS.☞ Supported KIPP Houston’s Chief Advancement Officer in the $66M growth campaign by reviewing and submitting proposals, preparing updates for funders and serving as a thought partner in cultivation and stewardship strategies.☞ Partnered with the KIPP Through College (KTC) team to secure over $500,000 in grant funding to support a college success initiative.☞ Part of the team that won a $500,000 grant from TEA to implement a personalized math program at 2 schools.

Houston, Texas, Us

Managed KIPP Houston's grant writing team; collaborated with members of executive leadership team, finance and academics team on KIPP Houston's grant proposal and writing needs (e.g. annual operations, capital campaign, government grants, and special projects). Oversaw institutional donor stewardship, including developing management processes for existing institutional donors and cultivating/securing new institutional donor relationships for KIPP Houston Public Schools.Highlights:☞ Won the first H-E-B Small District Award for KHPS and earned statewide recognition. KHPS was the first public charter school in Texas to win this award.☞Part of team that won the first United States Department of Education Skills for Success grant for $1.5M. Only 4 grants awarded across the country.☞Co-created wellness programs with school leaders and secured $375,000 in grant funding to implement comprehensive wellness program at two schools.☞Partnered with the KIPP Through College team to secure over $500,000 in funding to support a college success initiative.☞Part of team that won a $500,000 grant to implement blended learning in classrooms across KHPS.

Houston, Texas, Us

Promoted to this role after 2 months.My role was to secure private and government funding to support the education of over 10,700 students. Highlights:► Met annual $2M institutional funding goal in 2014.► Secured grants to improve school facilities, including a grant from the NFL to build a new football practice field and funding from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to build a new baseball field.► Co-wrote with academic partners KIPP Houston's two successful Blue Ribbon applications. ► Project manager for a KaBOOM! playground build with KIPP volunteers and corporate partners.► Refined the predictive analysis model used by KIPP Houston to track gifts so that all fundraising decisions were data-driven.

Houston, Texas, Us

Newark, New Jersey, Us

Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ) had an annual budget of $9.2M and was the largest provider of services to homeless, runaway, and street youth in New Jersey. This was a front-facing role where I was responsible for building a pipeline of donors, donor cultivation, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship. As a member of the executive team, my primary role was to secure funding from corporations, foundations, and the government to support CHNJ's operations, capital projects and expansion to new cities.Highlights:☞Wrote three of the biggest government and foundation grants in the agency's history.☞Expanded funding for the outreach department by over 120% including $450,000 from the State of New Jersey.☞Added 25 new foundations as contributors and diversified the funding base.☞Met annual $2.5M institutional fundraising goal. ☞Won $1M Maternity Group Home Grant from the federal government. Only 1 award in NJ.☞Secured $493,000 in grant funding from Union County for the shelter program.☞Secured over $250,000 in HUD funding to implement supportive housing programs.☞Managed and supported the local program board tasked with fundraising and advocacy.

Newark, New Jersey, Us

A member of the institutional giving team that secured funding for capital projects and program operations. I developed an expertise in securing government funding for supportive housing and construction projects. I also worked closely with the development team on stewardship plans and supported the execution of events. Part of the team that created over 90 units of housing for homeless youth.Highlights:☞ Surpassed annual $2M institutional funding goal each year☞ Grew the institutional funding base by over 30%☞ Secured over $3M in capital funding to expand housing stock and rehabilitate existing properties☞ Implemented comprehensive grant management plan that resulted in clean audits ☞ Secured over 100K in grant funding for relief efforts from Hurricane Sandy☞ Part of the team that secured over $1.3M in funding for CHNJ's first supportive housing program (Nancy's Place) for homeless kids with mental health challenges☞ Awarded grant for $223,835 from NJDCA to enhance shelter facilities☞ Managed a grant for $335,000 from Office of Justice Programs☞ Co-authored the agency's first strategic plan which focused on serving more kids and expanding CHNJ's service area.

Newark, New Jersey, Us

Complete management of two residential buildings, which included rent collection, maintaining database of all payments and occupants, and handling requests for maintenance.Highlights:☞Created and implemented the best attended programs in the residence halls☞ Streamlined the student volunteer management process☞ Increased student engagement by developing off-campus volunteer opportunities☞Supervised staff of 10 office assistants which included training, scheduling and conducting performance evaluations☞Coordinated all community service activities for the Residence Life department including mobilizing over 200 student volunteers to support various campus initiatives

ABOVE THE RIM’s mission is to create innovative recreational and education programs that are culturally-sensitive and provide an opportunity for youth in the City of Newark to develop their social skills as well as athletic ability. ABOVE THE RIM, founded in 1990 in the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey, is an acronym for, “Active Bodies Opposed to Violence Experience Truly Healthy Environments for Real Intelligent Minds.” It was created as an innovative response to the ongoing social epidemic of violence, drug-dealing and gang activity that plagued Newark’s neighborhoods. ☞ Developed and implemented institutional funding strategy ☞ Created an effective grant management framework☞ Wrote and edited government and foundation grants

Master Of Public Administration

Bachelor Of Arts, Economics