Heather Spires Email & Phone Number

Columbia, Sc, Us

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

• Identify and actively pursue opportunities for partnerships, grant funding and sponsorships, ensuring the financial stability of the organization and its programs.• Work with County Assessor and Auditor to ensure BID fees are accurately calculated and collected.• Oversee administration of organization and supervise Administrative Assistant.• Work with CPA to create and present annual budget for adoption and complete annual audit. • Design, implement and manage special projects as needed, including installation and expansion of the “Ceiling of Lights”, district expansion research, and other place management initiatives.• Build and maintain relationships with property owners, landlords, merchants, elected officials and key government agencies.

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

• Managed a dynamic portfolio of 125+ donors and prospects with giving capacity of $5k - $100k. • Planned and executed a successful strategy for retaining and increasing corporate giving.• Identified, qualified, cultivated and stewarded prospects, and developed strategies for increasing existing donor giving.

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Designed and implemented the annual fundraising plan, including the annual fund, major gifts program, donor communications and special events. Increased individual giving by 45%.

Columbia, Sc

Assessed CRM software needs and researched and recommended database solution.

Chicago, Il

• Responsible for the fiscal health, growth and strategic direction of a regional business association.• Managed day-to-day operations, including: staff, board and committee management; database integrity; annual budget development and cash flow monitoring; member and community relations; communications efforts; and website maintenance.• Reviewed and updated association bylaws, assessed board composition and committee structures, and ensured member compliance with board requirements.• Restructured membership benefits, dues and renewal process.• Planned and produced events, including the Annual Meeting, River North Business Expo, River North Challenge, Annual Golf Outing and Quarterly New Member Breakfast.• Served as chief spokesperson for the organization and coordinated branding and marketing of the River North community using social media and mainstream media channels.• Liaison to the City of Chicago, area chambers of commerce and related tourism agencies.

Served as Project Manager for 2018 Arts in the Loop Economic Impact Study.• Wrote the Request for Proposal, reviewed responses, helped select consultants.• Served as the primary liaison and resource for 40+ arts and cultural organizations, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, and project consultant team.• Developed and disseminated the study’s public survey, exceeding the projected response by 750%. • Presented updates to CLA Board of Directors.

Columbia, South Carolina

*Identify and attract qualified shop, restaurant and business prospects to Columbia’s historic Main Street district•Build relationships with property owners and cultivate support for the downtown retail plan and strategy•Work with existing merchants to ensure retail retention•Coordinate with city and state agencies to facilitate the opening of businesses

Worked with Nickelodeon Theatre staff and board to develop and implement campaign strategy for Phase I of $4M “Move the Nick” capital campaign•Initiated and cultivated relationships with donors, individual and corporate prospects, municipal governments, sponsors, board members and volunteers•Identified and solicited gifts from individual, corporate and foundation prospects•Prepared and oversaw all grant proposals, grant reports, direct mail pieces and donor communications for fundraising efforts•Planned and coordinated receptions, special events and festivals including site selection, guest lists, invitation design and cateringGovernment Relations

Advocated the League’s position on critical issues before the S.C. General Assembly•Drafted, edited and refined legislative proposals consistent with our legislative priorities•Facilitated communication with elected officials and state agencies•Negotiated with groups opposed to conservation legislation•Created alliances with non-traditional partners•Wrote weekly legislative updates for League members and activists•Created and maintained web content pertinent to pending legislative proposals •Presented quarterly reports to the League’s Board of DirectorsCommunications

Managed quarterly newsletter production, including production schedule, story development, interview coordination, artwork direction, editorial review and printing•Researched new host and content management system for the League’s website•Tracked and analyzed online traffic trends, increased email subscribers from 800 to 4,400 in the first year and managed email campaignsDevelopment

Managed member recruitment through direct mail, email and events•Coordinated with designers, printers, and mail service vendors to execute direct mailings •Planned and coordinated donor events and conferences including site selection, guest lists, invitation design and catering •Coordinated the League’s first planned giving direct mail campaign•Helped develop and implement annual donor retention, recruitment and fundraising strategy•Prepared donor correspondence and administered donor records and communications •Prepared and presented analytical reports to the League’s Board and steering committee for the League’s first capital campaign•Served as staff liaison to the Board of Directors and volunteer coordinator

Assisted in planning and implementation of the annual fundraising campaign•Presented campaign updates to the Board of Directors•Assisted in the writing of grant proposals•Organized, budgeted, and secured sponsorship and annual donor events

Managed on-campus marketing campaigns, including payroll, budget, supply delivery and storage, employee paperwork and event details•Recruited, trained and managed more than 50 student marketing representatives •Managed on-campus representatives’ development of student teams to implement campus grassroots marketing campaigns•Editor of Inside CI, the national representative monthly e-newsletter

Authored articles for publication in Corporate Finance, an international financial journal subscribed to by corporate treasurers and chief financial officers •Interviewed executives in international banking institutions•Conducted online research on foreign exchange trends and finance sector employment•Managed monthly employment and foreign exchange sections