Jo Schantz, Mnm, Cfre, Gpc Email & Phone Number

Denver Metropolitan Area

In March 2015, I accepted the exciting and challenging position as Executive Director of the Jefferson County Library Foundation. This Foundation, in alliance with the Friends of the Library, exists to support the resources and multiple services provided by 10 public libraries throughout the county. As Executive Director, I lead a team of three staff members, and I work with hundreds of devoted and passionate volunteers. Altogether we are dedicated to enhancing programs, activities and outreach of the Jefferson County Public Library system. My responsibilities include fundraising, grant writing, special events management, community outreach, public speaking, facilities management, team leadership, strategic planning, budget oversight, PR/marketing, and volunteer recruiting. The central focus of my position is to help secure essential financial and inkind support for the Library. To learn more about the Jefferson County Library Foundation, visit jeffcolibraryfoundation.org.

Greater Denver Area

In my capacity as a fundraising consultant, I worked on contract with VFW Post 1 and its newly formed Foundation. In this role, I assisted Commander Michael Mitchel in efforts to organize, fundraise and establish viable resources to help support this fledgling nonprofit. VFW Post 1 Foundation was formed in 2014 to provide ongoing support for first VFW post that was founded more than 100 years ago.

Wheat Ridge, Co

In my role as a consultant, I worked on contract as a part-time employee at Boatright & Ripp, LLC, a widely recognized law firm that has been a part of the Denver-metro legal scene for the past six decades. As the company's new Client Relations Manager, I was involved in public relations, marketing, community outreach and client services. This exciting position called on my skills as a top-notch organizer, and offered many opportunities for me to represent the company at various organizational meetings throughout Jefferson County. I was also able to employ my writing and marketing talents in preparing the agency's new general brochure, creating press releases and serving as the main coordinator and representative at the Senior Connections expo, a public event that was held at the Arvada Center in late March. Boatright & Ripp specializes in Elder Law, Wills and Estate Planning. Visit www.brsattorneys.com for added information.

Lakewood, Co

As the part-time, contract Development Manager for Community Educational Outreach (CEO), my role involved researching, writing and submitting timely grant proposals for this education-focused nonprofit. I also worked with program staff members on special events, sponsorship solicitations, inkind donations, publicity, community outreach and communications. I was successful in securing a first-time grant from the Rocky Mountain SHRM, and in gaining valuable publicity through my connections with the Lakewood Sentinel -- a local publication that featured an article on CEO's Read To Me program. Established in 1990, CEO is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that fosters independence through education and believes that education is the core element in helping at-risk adults remain productive members of society. CEO is dedicated to assisting recovering addicts, law offenders and high risk adults through education (by obtaining their GEDs, gaining access to the job market, learning valuable computer skills, etc.) and key life skills training. Part of the organization's goal is to reduce recidivism and stop the cycle of at-risk adults becoming repeat offenders. For details on CEO, visit www.ceocolorado.org.

Greater Denver Area

In November 2013, I was offered the position as Executive Director at the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA), a fledgling nonprofit located in Edgewater. The purpose of the organization is to provide education, awareness, support and advocacy for women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This nonprofit is also dedicated to bringing attention to this often misdiagnosed disease, alerting Colorado women to the signs and symptoms, plus all the genetic predispositions, that would make these individuals more likely to get ovarian cancer in their lifetimes.As Executive Director, I was in charge of supervising 3 added staff members (the Associate Director, Programs Director and the Executive Assistant), plus I was responsible for the day-to-day operations of COCA (payroll, budget management, office and facilities management, etc.) along with all aspects of fundraising. In this last arena, I was focused on designing a comprehensive resource development plan featuring major donor identification and cultivation, grant writing and reporting, grant research, special events, and corporate sponsorships.A large part of my role was in communications, where I worked with a contract public relations firm to produce up-to-date brochures, the agency’s annual report and multiple electronic communications – including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the organizational website.I was also the main liaison for major donors, the Board of Directors, Board committees, and I served as a designated spokesperson to the media.

Greater Denver Area

I was pleased to be chosen as head of the Resource Development and Communications efforts at Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC). This nonprofit helps youth make a difference in themselves and their communities through meaningful service opportunities and educational experiences. During my tenure, I served as the Department leader for a team of three Development professionals.My role at MHYC was to design, organize and manage all aspects of MHYC fundraising -- from annual donation campaigns and individual giving to grant writing and special events -- plus I oversaw the organization's communications, promotions and marketing efforts.In spring 2013, and in addition to my other successful fundraising efforts, I prepared a proposal to the U.S. Department of Labor and netted a $1.02 million grant in support of MHYC's YouthBuild program.Due to agency downsizing, my job was eliminated at the end of August 2013.

Denver

During my tenure in Resource Development and Communications at Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ), I was the Department leader in charge of mapping out all fundraising and communications/outreach efforts -- which included creating a first-time, year-round grant writing effort and grants calendar, overseeing direct mail and online solicitations, directing the contract communications support staff, and serving as a key liaison to the Board Development Committee. In this role, I initiated two new special events -- the annual Veterans Day Breakfast and the Armed Forces Day Reception. At the 2011 Breakfast, I secured Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper as one of our guest speakers, and at the May 2012 Reception, I was pleased to feature Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock as a highlight of our evening program.In this position, I also ensured that VGJ was part of multiple workplace giving campaigns (CCC, CFC and Community Shares), I established the agency's first car donation program, and I designed the Wall of Honor permanent dedication display where VGJ donors could offer their personalized tributes to veterans, active military members and military families. In 2011, I was successful in raising more than $1.1 million through grants, special events, individual appeals and various donation campaigns. I also led the Communications Committee and oversaw the production of multiple marketing materials, such as newsletters, annual reports, e-news blasts, social media outreach, agency brochures, print event programs, event invitations, and more.I designed and monitored budgets (departmental, communications and events), assisted in budget development, organized and supervised committee and volunteer efforts, and hired/supervised the Development staff and contract workers. I also served as a member of VGJ's Senior Leadership Team.I left VGJ in summer 2012 due to continued organizational downsizing and as the entire Development Department was being eliminated.

6Th & Indiana In Golden, Co

In my contract position at CSU Extension in Jefferson County, my role was to develop and implement new plans for PR, communications, marketing, grant research, proposal writing, and a philanthropy program. In 2010, I coordinated the Extension's first-time Energy Efficiency Roundup & Expo--a trade show, lecture series, and exhibition that was held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. This event was free and open to the public, and our day's attendance topped more than 150 visitors. I'm pleased to say that we had more than 30 exhibitors, featuring Xcel Energy, NREL, AweSun Renewable Energy, Colorado Renewable Energy Society, CSU School of Global Environmental Sustainability, iCAST, McKinstry Energy Audits, K&H Home Solutions, and more! Displays and demonstrations included thermal energy auditing, wind energy propellers, LED lighting, home insulation, organic foods, and solar panels. Our free energy-savings lecture series covered topics such as "Building Science 101: Energy Star Home Ratings & Audits," "Reducing Home Energy Costs," "Indoor/Outdoor Wise Water Use and Landscaping Tips," and "Urban Agriculture Production & Alternative Transportation."Our event sponsors were Mile High Newspapers, the Clean Energy Strategic Initiative Team (CESIT), CSU Clean Energy Supercluster, Jefferson County, and Colorado's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. This event was hosted by CSU Extension in Jefferson County.In February 2011, I accepted a second 6-month temporary contract position at Extension. My role was to assist in preparation for a regional Energy Summit, research and write grant proposals, create a grants calendar, provide support in PR/marketing, promote media relationships and design a Marketing plan.Check out the many opportunities that are available to area residents on Jeffco's CSU Extension Web site, www.jeffcoextension.org.

Lakewood, Colorado

During my tenure at Griffith Centers, my primary roles included researching and targeting new funding sources and funding partners, community outreach and public presentations, grant writing and the creation of a comprehensive and up-to-date grants calendar, soliciting in-kind goods and services, coordinating volunteers, assisting in a variety of special events, and contributing successful efforts toward the agency's recent capital campaign. I was frequently called upon to edit and proof agency marketing and communications materials, including newsletters, brochures, direct mail appeals, correspondence, annual reports, fact sheets, grant reports, etc. I also produced press releases and PSAs. Often, I was responsible for photographing many of Griffith's events and program activities for use in public relations campaigns and donor solicitation efforts.I left Griffith Centers as a result of organizational downsizing, the subsequent elimination of my Development position and the organization's relocation to Colorado Springs.

Greater Denver Area

I was pleased to serve as the Vice President of Events and Educational Services at the Apartment Association of Metro Denver (AAMD), and in this capacity I was the head of a three-person department. Our team provided year-round networking, job training, and business-related opportunities for more than 800 Denver-area AAMD members. Our organization was also active in monitoring current political trends, legislative actions, and government policies that would impact the apartment and housing industry. AAMD helped facilitate informative meetings for our constituents with high-profile political officials and candidates, such as the annual Winter Economic Conference. My main job responsibilities included: • Departmental oversight and staff supervision• Communications, Marketing, and Media Relations• Public Speaking and Community Outreach • Membership appeals• Educational Programming and Events • Budgeting• Meetings Management

As the Director of Development at Colorado Humanities, my role was to raise funds, increase corporate/foundation support, promote community involvement and elevate public awareness for this statewide nonprofit. Job responsibilities included timely grant writing and reporting, soliciting event/program sponsorships plus cash and in-kind contributions, working with the management team to develop new and continuing programs and to pursue new avenues of project funding, coordinating special events, cultivating donors, and overseeing contract employees. Added responsibilities featured writing and editing newsletters, marketing materials, event continuity, donor correspondence, special event advertisements, and PSAs, along with photographing organizational events, programs and activities for marketing purposes.

Denver Metropolitan Area

In this capacity, I led a four-person Development department that was focused on fundraising, grant writing, sponsorship solicitation, media relations, direct mail campaigns, special events, donor cultivation and retention, public relations and communications. Key responsibilities included employee supervision, database management, preparation/publication of marketing and communication materials, special event management, and budget oversight. My role was also to increase visibility of the organization through multiple speaking engagements as part of Mile High United Way campaigns, along with public presentations (focusing on volunteer recruitment) that I performed before various businesses and organizations throughout the Denver area.

Denver Metropolitan Area

I am proud that I was selected to be the first full-time Fund Development Director at Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver. It was a challenging position and an opportune time to not only increase the organization's funding, but also to bring greater visibility to girls' and young women's needs and issues. My responsibilities were to establish an effective Development Department, research and target new corporate and foundation funders, increase the nonprofit's individual donor base, produce successful grants and create an ongoing grants calendar, provide public presentations, market the agency's programs and events, help launch a major capital campaign, work with volunteers on fundraising activities and collaborate with graphic designers to write/edit the Girls Inc. newsletters and annual reports. I was also able to attract the support of select community volunteers who provided special programs for our young members, I was successful in gaining substantial media interest in the organization and its work, plus I wrote articles and photographed many of the agency's special programs and events for publication in a local newspaper. In addition, I served on multiple special events committees and was the Development liaison to the Board of Directors.

Master'S, Nonprofit Management

I enrolled in the Master's of Nonprofit Management program in 2000 and completed the program two years later with a 3.78 GPA. My final.

Education record

Marketing Certificate, Public Relations

Public Relations Certificate, Public Relations

Bachelor Of Arts, English And Journalism

Education record

Activities and Societies: In 2018, I was selected to participate in Leadership Golden, a nonprofit organization focused on the inner.

Grants Professional Certification, Grant Writing, Certificate Awarded

Certification, Grant Writing