Emily Leitzinger, Ms, Cfre, Cnp Email & Phone Number

I support the major gifts program by managing a portfolio of about 150 donors and prospects, focusing on contributions at the mid-tier and major donor levels. I take an active role in engaging donors and building strong, long-term relationships that connect their interests to AFT’s mission: protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.In my role, I:● Find and connect with new donors who are committed to the AFT mission.● Hold meaningful conversations with donors and stakeholders to understand their goals and interests.● Write clear and engaging materials to communicate AFT’s work.● Organize cultivation and stewardship events and visits to showcase our mission and impact.● Work closely with my team to grow support for AFT in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.● Develop comprehensive strategies for unrestricted, restricted, matching, and planned giving support.I am dedicated to stewarding the donors while stewarding the land. No Farms, No Food, No Future.

Drove fundraising initiatives through strategic planning and relationship management, exceeding revenue goals and bolstering organizational sustainability. Designed and implemented donor engagement strategies targeting lapsed and mid-tier donors to foster long-term support. Managed a diverse portfolio of prospects, sponsors, and donors while emphasizing equity and justice in fundraising efforts. Collaborated with executive leadership and the board of directors to create a year-round fundraising plan, aligning with organizational objectives. Demonstrated strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to transparency and trust-building with donors and affiliate partnerships.● Raised over $3 million by leading targeted campaigns and major giving strategies, which included a $800,00 year-end campaign.● Launched the organization’s first-ever legacy society and built a planned giving opportunities tracker in Salesforce.● Developed and executed a comprehensive individual giving strategy to engage donors and ensure long-term sustainability for the mission.

*Promotion*Led development and implementation of innovative fundraising strategies, enhancing financial growth and volunteer participation across chapters. Offered continuous guidance to chapter staff, nurturing a culture of collaboration with focus a on donor satisfaction. Advocated the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's mission by renewing and elevating commitments from participants, committee members, donors, sponsors, and volunteers, with an emphasis on equity and proactive outreach. Established and maintained authentic relationships with community partners, resulting in sustained support and involvement. Conducted comprehensive training sessions to bolster professional development, leading to a more knowledgeable and effective team. Advanced equity analysis and action within the organization, ensuring commitment to inclusive and equitable fundraising practices.● Directed a major donor event in Bentonville, Arkansas, securing a contribution of $800K through meticulous solicitation and stewardship.● Exceeded fundraising goals for the "Great Strides" program, generating more than $450K through the orchestration of five Walk events amid staffing constraints.● Implemented a nationwide program aimed at engaging and recognizing the Foundation's top-performing staff, fostering a sense of community and achievement.● Initiated a national engagement and recognition program to acknowledge and retain high-achieving volunteers and staff. ● Instituted bi-monthly professional development training calls, enhancing staff skills and career growth.

Greater New Orleans Region

*Promotion* Collaborate with senior leadership and the board of directors to develop a year-round fundraising plan, aligning with organizational objectives and ensuring a cohesive approach to the fund development strategy. Managed donor relations and monthly engagement activities, nurturing diverse portfolios and championing organizational values of equity and justice. Oversaw significant major gifts program, cultivating relationships to bolster philanthropic support. Executed high-impact special events, driving regional fundraising efforts, and meeting philanthropic objectives. Championed equity and justice within organizational practices, ensuring long-term goals and values alignment. Transitioned special events to virtual formats amidst 2020-2021 challenges, sustaining revenue targets and fostering a collaborative culture. ● Directed event professionals and volunteer committees, exceeding annual chapter fundraising goals of $1M for all consecutive fiscal years.● Orchestrated Southeastern Louisiana events, securing over $250K and engaging a network of funders to advance mission-driven objectives.● Surpassed major gifts target, managing a portfolio worth $200K and achieving growth of 42.5% in FY19 and 65% in FY20.● Amplified annual fund contributions by 50% in FY19 and 175% in FY20 through strategic engagement of leaders and stakeholders.● Conducted 20-30 monthly donor meetings, fostering relationships and securing commitments to meet and exceed fundraising goals.

Greater New Orleans Area

Increased special event revenue by 35%Responsible for all fundraising, advocacy, and awareness eventsSupervised 2 development staff, 60 volunteers, and hundreds of advocatesResponsible for developing fundraising events or programs to ensure financial growth by executing CFF best practices in compliance with CFF policies and procedures. Provided coaching and mentoring to assigned staff and conducted performance reviews. Carried out responsibilities in a manner that supported a collaborative, donor-centric culture. ● Developed fundraising plans and budgets designed to achieve growth over prior year.● Launched new events, campaigns, initiatives and/or programs such as Grampions and Tomorrow's Leaders as well as new fundraising events. ● Worked strategically to ensure key fundraising best practices are followed and key performance benchmarks are achieved.● Identified, recruited/renewed, and cultivated/stewarded new and veteran corporate sponsors, committee members, team leaders, honorees, chairs, and volunteers for assigned events/campaigns/initiatives.● Identified prospective board members and individual donors.● Ensured good volunteer placement, ongoing training, held volunteers accountable to agreed tasks and delegated assignments to recruited volunteers on an on-going basis.● Identified and assisted with cultivation of prospects for Individual Giving, chapter events/campaigns and regional/national corporate participation.● Developed sponsorship proposals and negotiated volunteer/corporate “best fit” for the organization.

Greater New Orleans Region

**Side Hustle**● Assisted in setting up and organizing auction items in a visually appealing manner at fundraising events.● Assisted attendees with registration and familiarize them with our mobile bidding system.● Provided technical support to users bidding on auction items using smartphones, tablets, or computers.● Answered questions and address concerns from event attendees regarding the auction process and catalogue.● Coordinated with event organizers and venue staff to ensure a seamless auction experience.● Monitored bidding activity and notify attendees of outbid items to encourage competitive bidding.● Processed payments at the end of the auction using our automated system, ensuring accuracy and security.● Maintained accurate records of auction items, bids, and payments.● Assisted with post-event activities such as item reconciliation and auction item pickup/delivery.● Worked with event organizers to expand the network to the online community. ● Assisted with live-auction, super silent, silent, online, gala games, and other features during fundraising events.

● Increased special event revenue by an impressive 30% year over year.● Oversaw all fundraising, advocacy, and awareness events, totalling over events 20 annually.● Led a team of two development staff members, 50 volunteers, and hundreds of advocates.● Exceeded the annual fundraising portfolio target of $1,650,000.● Held comprehensive oversight of The ALS Association's signature event, the Walk to Defeat ALS.● Cultivated and nurtured relationships with key stakeholders, including Friends and Family Teams and Corporate Teams.● Provided guidance, mentorship, and support to team captains and participants in developing fundraising plans.● Encouraged third-party fundraising events and cause-related marketing initiatives.● Recorded interactions and engagements with constituents in the donor database.● Spearheaded the growth and development of the chapter's corporate partnership initiative.● Prospected potential corporate partners, crafted proposals, secured commitments, and implemented stewardship strategies.● Directed fundraising and logistics committees for various state and chapter-wide events.● Managed fundraising budgets and ensured the achievement of set targets.● Developed and implemented strategic plans for fundraising programs.

New Orleans

**Side Hustle**Coordinator for the Southeastern Louisiana area. Hosting 2-speed dating events monthly at local restaurants and bars. Working with venues for a memorable experience for the participants. Marketing, promotions, match-making, and relationship-building between customers and venues.

**Promotion**Directed and motivated a team of 7 development staff and volunteers, successfully driving campaign objectives and fostering a collaborative environment. Initiated a lucrative special event program, which contributed significantly to fundraising efforts in its first year. Employed strategic moves management to nurture and develop donor relationships, resulting in robust fundraising outcomes. The facilitated transition of donors into a major gifts pipeline, leveraging successful events to secure substantial additional funding.● Orchestrated a successful capital campaign for the Homeless Veterans Initiative, managing a dynamic team of 7 development staff and 80 volunteers to exceed project goals. ● Surpassed major gift donor targets, securing in annual contributions through strategic portfolio management.● Initiated and led a special event program that generated over $75K in its inaugural year, transitioning attendees into major gift donors and raising an additional $150K.● Scheduled and conducted 20-30 donor meetings monthly and spearheaded donor events, enhancing donor retention and acquisition.

New Orleans, La

● Developed a nationally recognized ground-breaking model for homeless prevention and housing.● Coordinated efforts with healthcare, government, social service, and private sector agencies as part of the Mayor's "Veteran's Homeless Initiative."● Led a dedicated team of seven case managers and effectively managed a $500,000 operational budget.● Provided comprehensive support to individuals and households in need.● Worked with a diverse client base, including individuals with disabling conditions and a history of significant homelessness.● Utilized a client-centered approach to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency and stability in housing.● Oversaw a program caseload of over one hundred clients in the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP).● Managed a rental budget of over $150,000 and ensured timely rent payments to landlords.● Conducted HQS inspections and maintained comprehensive records using HMIS.● Advocated for homeless clients as a Housing Specialist in the "Rebuilding Communities" program.● Negotiated leases, secured utility inclusion, and arranged reasonable accommodations for disabilities.● Conducted thorough housing searches, prevented evictions, and provided case management support.● Demonstrated a commitment to innovative strategies and comprehensive support for individuals in need.

Cheyenne, Wyoming Area & Washington Dc

● Full-time AmeriCorps volunteer working with homeless individuals and persons with disabling conditions.● Specialized in assisting homeless Veterans in Washington DC.● Provided supportive services and case management to homeless veterans in a congregate Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program.● Learned and implemented motivational interviewing and harm reduction techniques.● Developed strong relationships with city-wide needs-based facilities for service linkages in mental health, physical health, and substance dependence.● Expanded public and donor awareness of programs and services offered.● Actively worked to dispel negative stereotypes regarding homelessness.● Managed cases for 12 clients in a congregate transitional housing program.● Developed and facilitated tenancy and life-skills programs.● Created and implemented a public awareness plan.● Served as a liaison to the community.

Harrisonburg, Va

Was responsible for updating and maintaining all data regarding the annual budget for the training and professional advancement for facility and staff. Developed procedures manual and converted it from an outdated filing system. Scribbled an online survey to track the usefulness of professional development. Created and implemented changes in the Virginia state policies regarding tuition reimbursement and waivers. Managed and tracked a departmental budget of over one million dollars.

Accurately and efficiently prepared prescription orders. Verifyed prescription information and dosage. Entered patient and order information into the pharmacy system. Processed and submitted insurance claims. Provided quality customer service to patients and other healthcare providers. Assisted the Pharmacist as needed. Completed inventory.

Master'S Degree, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management, 4.0

Activities and Societies: The National Society of Leadership and Success Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication, 3.96

Activities and Societies: Summa Cum Laude; The National Society of Leadership and Success Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor'S Degree, Mass Communication/Social Work, 3.85

Activities and Societies: National Pharmacy Technician Association, Licensed Realtor, Downtown Development Group

Business Administration And Management, General

Activities and Societies: Phi Theta Kappa

Associate'S Degree, Transfer Program

Activities and Societies: Foreign Language Association of Virginia