Working closely with the CEO and Chief External Relations Officer to execute a plan for meeting targets outlined in the strategic planDesigning and implementing strategies for cultivating new institutional, corporate, and major donors and for stewarding and retaining existing donorsWorking closely with the Communications team to prepare written development materials, including: briefing memos to support the CEO's and Chief External Relations Officer’s engagement with donors; appeal letters and other donor communications; and select funding proposals and reportsOverseeing stewardship efforts to ensure donors are well-informed, acknowledged, and appreciated in meaningful and timely waysStrengthening and overseeing All Our Kin's development systems and processes, working with the Development team to establish effective practices for the operation and maintenance of the database; regular reporting on progress toward fundraising goals; and interdepartmental coordination and communication between Development, Finance, and Program teamsAdvancing strategies to engage a racially and ethnically diverse donor base that reflects the family child care educators, families, and children we serve

Managing and executing strategies for donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at nonprofit providing after-school programs, summer camps, and enrichment activities to 1,600+ children and youths annually from urban and suburban communities of New Haven, North Haven, and WallingfordSpearheaded successful 2023 year-end fundraising campaign that raised $187K+ net revenue, including matching dollars from Board and $30K each from two new major donorsTimely and forward-thinking leadership was indispensable to securing $1.65M federal grant that will provide needed capital improvements and renovations to Columbus Avenue Clubhouse, a major community hub for New Haven children, youths, and familiesResponsible for planning and producing most financially successful annual Golf Classic fundraiser to date in history of tournament with $26K net revenueLeader of annual organizational participation in The Great Give, a 36-hour online-only fundraising event coordinated by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, resulting in $50K+ raised in 2023Engaging and stewarding major donors through coordination of outreach, site visits, and follow-up, including expressions of gratitude and appreciationProject manager for major website redesign and relaunch, slated for Spring 2024Writer, graphic designer, editor, and proofer for all major marketing and communicationsmaterials, including promotional flyers, social media posts, and electronic newsletters

Responsible for building and strengthening relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, board of trustees, colleagues, external partners, and mediaProject management experience includes redesign of agency website, writing all copy and working with vendor to organize content for navigability, readability, and visual appealPlanned, produced, and executed Help & Hope Breakfast fundraiser at Marriott Hartford Downtown in 2019 that attracted 300+ attendees and raised $95K net revenue; pivoted to planning virtual online auction Help & Hope @ Home that raised $75K net revenue in 2020 and $90K net revenue in 2021Tripled organization’s social media engagement (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram) as measured by total page likes, writing and scheduling all content for each platformCommitted to prompt and personalized expressions of gratitude, including handwritten notes on every acknowledgment letter for gifts of any size and working with corporate social responsibility partners to ensure delivery of sponsorship benefits and brand awarenessWorked collaboratively with vendor to conceptualize, organize, and produce video to tell story of Catholic Charities and its impact across Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven CountiesWrote appeal letters for annual fund and COVID-19 emergency appeals, raising $350K+Entrusted to write and edit sensitive documents on behalf of agency leadership, including officialcorrespondence, speeches, press releases, and crisis communicationsLed ad hoc committee to identify consulting firm to assist with planning for ambitious fundraisingcampaign in honor of organization’s centennialHired and supervised full-time development associate

Responsible for planning and implementing fundraising activities and raising public profile of nonprofit agency providing support to families that are homeless or at risk of homelessness and others who struggle with the challenges of povertyCollaborated with volunteer committee from across New Haven in successful planning and production of events related to 50th anniversary of the agencyEnsured timely, accurate, and individualized acknowledgment letters for Executive Director’s signature, expressing gratitude for financial and in-kind donationsSupervised redesign and wrote all content for semiannual print newsletterWrote all content for semiannual electronic newsletter, website, and agency Facebook account, increasing agency social media engagement by 20% as measured by total page likesResponded promptly to inquiries from public, including prospective donors, press requests, volunteers, and individuals in need of emergency assistance from food pantry, clothing closet, or with utilities billsSecured sponsors and coordinated logistics for fundraising eventsRecruited and scheduled volunteers in support of annual Thanksgiving campaign, helping to provide nourishment to 1,200+ families, individuals with disabilities, and senior citizensOrganized annual participation in The Great Give, an online fundraising event sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, placing agency in top 20 for total individual donors and top 30 for total funds raised among 400 participating organizations

Identified, researched, and solicited foundation grants in support of Tony Award-winning nonprofit theatre, with successful applications ranging from $250 to $110KDelivered excellent stewardship of corporate sponsors and individual donors, working closely with Marketing Department to coordinate opportunities for recognition in programs, signage, and through special experiences, including private receptions during intermissions in the Executive Director’s officeWorked closely with representative of family foundation to secure seed money for sensory-friendly performances of musicals for the benefit of individuals on the autism spectrum and their familiesContributed to planning, promotion, and execution of annual gala, working with colleagues to ensure an entertaining, engaging, and successful eventWorked with Education Director to support Arts Education Collaboration program, engaging public school students in the creative process of musical theatre by providing behind-the-scenes access, workshops with actors and dancers, and complimentary tickets to matinee performances

Grant writer, reporter, and researcher for education nonprofit organization providing summer and afterschool learning opportunities for children attending public schools in under-resourced citiesResponsible for writing, editing, and tracking grant applications and reports to private and corporate foundations and in response to federal and state RFPs, with successful applications raising $700K+ in multi-year commitments for K-8th summer and afterschool programs in Baltimore City Public SchoolsRecruited to participate in freelance capacity as part of team that secured $8.1 million in multi-year grants from New York City Department of Youth and Community Development and New York City Department of Education

Awarded competitive position while working toward Master of Fine Arts degreeIndependent instructor of First Year Writing and Beginning Fiction Writing, working with freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniorsEmphasized in-class writing and peer review exercises, individual conferences, and creating a classroom setting conducive to spirited and collegial conversations

Editorial, creative, and project management responsibilities included writing and editing semiannual newsletters; building online content and managing design and launch of new website; writing press releases, official correspondence, and speeches on behalf of school president and Board members; and overseeing rollout of brand strategy, including design of a new school logo.Successful grant applications raised $100K+ in support of academic and extracurricular programs, including afterschool academic programs, need-based scholarships, new athletic equipment, and facility upgrades.Worked closely and productively with Board members from throughout Chicago business community to develop talking points on behalf of school mission.Marketing and public relations efforts resulted in positive coverage in Chicago Tribune and neighborhood publications during promotion of Centennial celebration. Attracted positive coverage of Holy Trinity from ABC, NBC, and FOX affiliates.

Awarded competitive position while working toward Master of Arts in English. Hired back on strength of teaching ability after withdrawing from academic program.Independent instructor of composition and literature courses to mostly freshman students. Created original assignments on expository, analytical, persuasive, research, and personal essays. Edited drafts and provided constructive feedback on organization, comprehension, style, grammar, and structure. Excelled in leadership of spirited classroom discussions.

Responsibilities included writing and editing public relations materials, grant proposals, reports, and donor correspondence for nonprofit organization specializing in family supportive services, immigration and citizenship services, and mental health counseling for low-income individuals and families living in four central California counties (Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz). Assisted with all aspects of planning, organization, and execution of fund-raising events.

Constructed and protected several miles of trail in Arapaho-Roosevelt and Santa Fe National Forests. As member of national service program AmeriCorps NCCC, worked with crewmates and other U.S. Forest Service crews to battle and contain nine wildfires, ranging in size from 1½ to 6,000+ acres. Developed a strong sense of personal and professional responsibility, based on accountability, discipline, and camaraderie.