Jessica Thorne Email & Phone Number

Strategically manages and expands our relationships with government entities, positioning DonorsChoose as a key partner in education funding and policy initiatives. Develops and implements innovative strategies to secure and renew government partnerships, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and maximizing impact. Serves as the face of DonorsChoose at national events, conferences, and meetings, building and nurturing high-level relationships with key government officials and influencers. Leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing team dedicated to government partnerships, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Advocates for and embodies the mission and vision of DonorsChoose, inspiring others to join in our commitment to support educators and students nationwide.

TNTP’s mission is to end the injustice of educational inequality by providing excellent teachers to the students who need them most and by advancing policies and practices that ensure effective teaching in every classroom. Played a leading role in setting TNTP’s policy and fundraising agenda. Recommended, developed, and implemented strategies to maximize the use of government funding by TNTP and its partner organizations. Served as the practice lead for sourcing and securing government funds and was responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of government grants within the organization. Cultivated relationships with government agency representatives and peer organizations in the field to further TNTP’s strategic goals and mission.

Hanover Research is a global research and analytics firm that provides high quality, custom research for clients in the corporate, education, and healthcare sectors. The core capabilities that drive Hanover’s research engine include primary research, secondary research, data analysis, and grant development.Supported a portfolio of 32 higher education institutions as a content director and strategic advisor. Developed and executed a comprehensive project management plan for each client. Used data to inform decision making and communicate changes to internal and external leadership teams. Actively managed 40+ projects with a team of 10+ consultants at any given time. My portfolio was heavily focused on career and technical education programs, community colleges, and Minority- or Hispanic-Serving designated institutions.

Developed and executed a statewide strategy to include fundraising, legislative and policy actions, and strategic engagement with municipal, educational, and corporate partners. Worked with rural cohorts of schools, higher education institutions, and local industry to reimagine the college-to-career pathway in Colorado. Applied for and received more than $9 million in funding.

Napa, Ca

New Tech Network, a national non-profit organization, is a leading design partner for comprehensive school change. We work closely with districts and public schools to create innovative learning environments. Through a proven school model, a project-based learning platform, and powerful professional development, we coach schools toward lasting change and ongoing improvement.Supported state-level partners in shifting policy and funding levers to support meaningful innovation in public schools. Worked with district, school, and community leaders to design schools and systems to support their vision. Maintained supportive relationships with existing New Tech districts, schools, and partners to ensure success and sustainability. Delivered regional and national trainings, workshops, and presentations to share New Tech's vision and experience with diverse audiences.

Arlington, Va

Hanover Research is a global research and analytics firm that provides high quality, custom research for clients in the corporate, education, and healthcare sectors. The core capabilities that drive Hanover’s research engine include primary research, secondary research, data analysis, and grant development.Provided a range of development services to some of the country's most prominent schools, school districts, and university systems, including strategic consulting, program conceptualization and design, project management, and grant proposal development for applications to federal and state agencies, foundations, and corporations. Advised partners on policy and practice, strategic direction, and funding trajectories. Responsible for the firm's K12-centered professional development offerings and evaluation considerations. Increased lifetime amount of grants received to more than $110M.

Boulder, Co

National Research Center, Inc. is a leader in the field of public research and evaluation, with clients from across the country and around the globe.Responsible for marketing and communications as well as business development. Maximized existing partnerships and developed new business relationships for long-term success. Oversaw sales and revenue strategies and developed marketing and incentives to support sales goals with a focus on delivering services to the K12 sector. Delivered presentations and workshops across the country and worked with local government and school leaders directly to help them use data to engage with the public.

Colorado Springs, Co

The largest school district in the Colorado Springs area, School District 11 serves 29,000 students in 62 schools.Directed efforts to develop successful turnaround schools and led innovative design efforts for more than 60 schools. Aggressively pursued new avenues of school funding, including the development of community relationships and corporate partnerships. Facilitated planning and project management for school and district teams. Responsible for all aspects of grant research, writing, submission and administration; raised more than $35M in three years and achieved an 85% success rate on federal, private, and state grant submissions.

Colorado Springs, Co

In the 25 years since its founding, the Space Foundation has become one of the world's premier nonprofit organizations supporting space activities, space professionals and Pre K-12 education.Enabled school districts from across the country to implement the Foundation's STEM-related professional development and supplementary curriculum. Connected school and district staff to supportive resources in the aerospace industry. Participated in the design of STEM-focused high schools in three states. Facilitated giving by major corporations, foundations, and individuals and developed unique donor-related activities and hospitality events. Raised more than $14M in the organization's first year of philanthropic activity.

Manitou Springs, Co

The mission of the BAC is threefold: to assist artists in pursuing their careers in a successful, professional manner; to enable local arts organizations to grow and thrive; and to promote understanding of the creative process by making arts experiences accessible.Created an analysis of the BAC’s current functionality and future potential as compared to organizations across the country; facilitated a series of community interviews; worked with the Board to revise existing business model and create a comprehensive fundraising model.

Colorado Springs, Co

Twelve fellows annually are selected from a pool of 100+ national applicants for a two year Fellowship in nonprofit and community leadership at El Pomar, a $550 million general-purpose private foundation serving the state of Colorado. Fellows and staff direct the foundation’s community stewardship programs while participating in a specialized professional development curriculum.Director, Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund; Director, Karl E. Eitel Fund; Regional Coordinator, El Pomar Youth in Community Service; Senior Associate, Awards for Excellence.

An after-school program created in conjunction with the Centralia School District and Latino Parents Coalition to provide after-school enrichment and mentorship opportunities for the children of migrant workers.Conducted a sixteen-week series of documentary photography workshops with students from the ESL program at Washington Elementary School; Produced and coordinated a touring exhibit of more than 40 photographs in cooperation with The Evergreen State College, Centralia School District, and the Washington State Department of Labor (sites included public libraries as well as Seattle/Tacoma International Airport); raised more than $50,000 in funds from corporate and individual donors.

An after-school program for children in the gifted and talented program, linking creative arts curriculum with lessons in ecological responsibility and the environmental sciences.Facilitated discussions and business meetings with schools, school districts, local nonprofits, and parent groups; coordinated the program schedule; oversaw the budget and accounting process; recruited and supervised volunteers; employed evaluation methods to monitor and report program performance; increased enrollment and attracted community sponsors through a community marketing campaign.

Completed tasks in donor prospecting and research for the Vice President, Advancement; maintained the college’s donor database; ran queries and reports as requested; wrote and secured grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 from foundation and corporate sponsors; developed the Verizon Foundation Scholarship for Native American Students; facilitated the acquisition and approval of more than $200,000 in public art in collaboration with the State Arts Commission.

Master Of Science, Organizational Development

Graduated Summa Cum Laude, 2011. Concentration of studies in Strategic Innovation & Change with an emphasis on change management.

Bachelor Of Arts, American Studies, Fine Art

Activities and Societies: College photography intern 2004-2005; Student representative to the Business Committee, 2004-2005; Washington.