Joel Massel Email & Phone Number

For more than 20 years, Joel Massel has collaborated with a broad range of stakeholders to build non-profit organizations across the country, helping them to achieve their missions in the most effective manner possible.The organizations served are devoted primarily to health, education, and social justice; although Joel is comfortable serving organizations addressing social service, environmental, and other sectors. He is an accomplished Executive Director and Chief Advancement Officer recognized for effective leadership, fundraising, and high-impact programming.Joel’s areas of expertise include strategic planning, change management, leadership development, executive coaching, team building, program development, grant making, comprehensive fundraising programs, special event production (conference and fundraisers), communications, operations, volunteer recruitment, governance review, and financial management.Employing a growth-oriented mind set and the skills to design, build, and implement change across all functions, Joel has helped to build some of the most successful organizations in Chicagoland. Joel’s approach serves his clients where they are, providing customized services, timelines, and fee structures that meet their needs. Organizations served set the standard of excellence in their service areas. They are strategic and goal-oriented, provided highly-regarded programs and services, and raised more revenue than their peers.Joel is the founder of CMS, a Chicago-based consulting firm that provides a full range of services – from fully outsourced leadership to customized one-time services – to charitable organizations, professional societies, and other not-for-profit organizations. CMS serves as an incubator for young organizations, an innovative leader for established organizations seeking to more effectively achieve their mission, and a turn-around resource for struggling organizations in need of a new strategic direction.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Responsible for leading the growth of the foundation by building its team, engaging its community, and generating funds that will accelerate medical discoveries aimed at transforming digestive disease into digestive health for patients and their families around the world.

Waukegan, Il, Us

Retained to designed, build, and lead the reorganization of a development program supporting the mission of an organization dedicated to rebuilding children’s lives in a caring community. Responsibilities include leading all aspects of the development program including planning and implementing two annual fundraising events and an annual fundraising campaign; creating the plan and tools to increase the impact of the Board of Directors; and integrating reframing language across all development functions.

Kansas City, Mo, Us

Led the reorganization of a development program supporting the foremost organization in the world dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and curing all forms of vasculitis. Conducted a comprehensive assessment of the development program and developed a one-year plan of action that created a pathway for hiring of a full-time development team; led a board development and engagement program that resulted in the retirement of 2 directors and identification of 11 qualified candidates; refreshed vision and mission statements to better reflecting the work of the organization; analyzed donor records to establish giving levels and develop a tiered, multi-phase cultivation and stewardship program; reworked membership program with new categories of memberships, benefits, pricing, and solicitation practices; led the development and implementation of a year-end giving program (#GivingTuesday, annual appeal, year-end solicitation) that increased number of donors by 50%, average donation by 70%, and revenue by more than 150%.

Chicago, Il, Us

Designed, built, and led the reorganization of a comprehensive development program supporting the mission and core programs of the foremost organization in the nation dedicated to serving the pulmonary fibrosis community. Conducted a complete audit of the department and the organization’s philanthropic efforts; developed a strategic plan of action and annual budget; reorganized entire development program; retained, hired, and trained a staff of nine; designed and implemented new processes, practices, and procedures; reframed all fundraising efforts, including annual campaign, major gifts, sponsorship, signature events, community events, employee giving; recurring gifts, and cultivation/stewardship initiatives. Increased unrestricted revenue by 26%, including a 33% increase in spring appeal revenue and a 96% increase in community event revenue; increased number of $1,000 or larger gifts by 33%; and increased participation in the recurring gift program by 13%.

- Led efforts to transform one of Chicago's oldest professional medical associations from a failing organization to a productive one where distinguished leaders in the health field could collaborate to improve the health of the public.- Developed strategic plan that included new vision and mission statements, and long- and short-term goals with measureable outcomes. Met or exceeded majority of goals in 12 months.- Established development program with many new streams of revenue. Proposed balanced budget.- Developed and implemented a successful strategic board development program that turned over 40% of the Board.- Introduced series of successful mission-based programs including the State of the Health of Chicago and Leadership Breakfasts.- Built new membership program that included new levels of membership, fees, and benefits. Resulted in first increase in membership in six years.- Planned and implemented a communications program that included a new website, Listserv, and on-line marketing tools.- Revised operating structure and all governing documents.

- Led coalition of medical and public health professionals, business leaders, government agencies, community activists, and individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma from the edge of bankruptcy to become the leading, sustainable asthma consortium in the nation. - Created a collaborative network of stakeholders from a fragmented, competitive community.- Re-built Board of Directors into highly functioning unit with full participation.- Secured and managed more than $1M in government grants.- Chaired Illinois Asthma Partnership (2009, 2010, 2011)- Led citywide initiative to reduce health disparities through improved communication.- Built and managed website that serves as the national model for healthcare consortia, with Chicago’s only GPS searchable community clinic list.

- Transformed stagnant public foundation to a dynamic one funding cutting-edge hearing and speech programs at the most highly respected program in Chicago.- Developed strategic plan.- Recruited and retained new generation of directors.- Revised organizational structure, drafted all governing documents, and led annual retreats.- Developed annual budget, maintained budget and financial records, participated in annual audits.- Secured major gifts and foundation grants.- Wrote and produced annual solicitation that raised $60,000 in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Chicago, Il, Us

- Took LUNGevity from a local charity generating less than $100,000 in total revenue to a nationally recognized organization raising more than $1M annually.- Recognized by Charity Navigator as Executive Director of one of the nation’s 10 fastest growing charities (2008).- Developed operational structure, strategic plan, fundraising program, and all governing documents.- Developed and managed grant program that co-funded more than $2.5M in lung cancer research.- Leveraged relationships to award more than $1.25 in research funding for every $1.00 raised.- Served as spokesperson when organization featured in Newsweek, Lung Cancer: Whose at Risk (8/05), and Boston Globe, Changing the Face of Lung Cancer (9/05), and many other publications.- Developed national walk program that raised more than $150,000 in its first year and now raises more the $1M annually.

Washington, Dc, Us

- Led College Bound, Inc. from a start-up organization granting $25,000 in scholarships to 10 first-generation college students to a fully integrated program awarding more than $125,000 annually in scholarships to approximately 50 students each year. Became largest scholarship program in nation supported by public, non-governmental dollars (2001, 2002).- Developed and implemented full range of novel support services that included college preparation, mentoring, tutoring, alumni, and summer job programs.- Recruited, trained, and supported more than 100 mentors.- Developed and managed application and selection procedure.- Produced HOMECOMING benefit for 6 years which raised an average of $100,000/year.- Produced three golf outings, increasing revenue from $85,000 in first year to $150,000 in third.

- Led NSPA from second year of operation to where it could retain its first full-time Executive Director.- Eliminated deficit spending and all debt.- Developed and implemented all aspects of membership program, and tripled annual membership revenue to fully cover operating expenses.- Responsible for all aspects of the 2000, 2001, and 2002 Annual Conference including program development, speaker recruitment, site selection, promotion, registration, and on-site logistics.

- Directed overall operations of nation's then largest and fastest growing, grassroots organization dedicated to developing Democratic candidates, activists and donors.- Developed first national network of independent, Democratic youth organizations..- Created and implemented communications strategy.- Developed and maintained chapters across America.- Developed and executed membership recruitment and retention programs.- Produced DL21C 1996 Democratic National Convention Program, the most comprehensive program of events targeted toward youth at a national convention.- Produced two-day leadership conference attended by more than 150 young leaders from across the country.

Juris Doctorate

Bachelor Of Science With Distinction, Biology/Chemistry