Katie Benston, Cfre, Gpc Email & Phone Number

Focus on improving fundraising and program outcomes through thoughtful planning, communication, optimizing operations, and targeted data collection and analysis. Experienced and successful grant writer of federal, state, and local government and community and private foundation grants. Assist non-profits with development, operational, and Board assessments; serve as interim or transitional director of development or development coach for less experienced staff; contract for projects such as grant research and grant writing; advise regarding policy development; consult on a variety of management, operations, fundraising, CRM, measurement, and analytical topics. In addition to private clients, I am a contract consultant with Armstrong McGuire and Vandever Batten. Clients include animal welfare, arts and culture, education, foundations, healthcare, housing and food insecurity, juvenile justice, legal advocacy, social services for children and families, and youth programming.

LevRidge Resources merged with Armstrong McGuire in October 2022Serve as Interim Development Director and management consultant for nonprofits in transitionCertified Interim Executive (2023)

Development assessment and campaign readiness projects for Charlotte-based nonprofits

Serve as chief philanthropy officer connecting donors to the arts and culture activities they care about

Charlotte, North Carolina

*LevRidge Resources merged with Armstrong McGuire in 2022*Research and advise on best practices related to development operations, development plans, program management, Board assessments, and organization growth and sustainability planning. Serve as interim executive and interim director of development. Present and facilitate workshops for NC Philanthropy Conference and Share Charlotte.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina

Responsible for all aspects of all programs including Low-Cost Clinic, Physicians Reach Out, ACA Navigation, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Reach Out and Read. Provided strategic direction, budget and personnel management, and evaluation for community health services agency with 25 employees and a $16 million operating budget. Supervised clinical and program staff. Established strong cooperative relationships with community partners including funders, complementary non-profits, elected representatives, and community volunteers. Monthly featured columnist in Mecklenburg Medical Society magazine. Served as Vice Chair of MedLink of Mecklenburg. Member of community collaboratives including Enlace and Zero to Five. Prior to joining staff in April 2011, served Care Ring as a Development Consultant 2010-2011.

Managed development communications and fundraising efforts attracting 7,000+ donors and $1.6M/year. Planned and executed multi-channel communications strategy to maximize HPCCR brand and case for support. Managed operations to achieve greatest customer service and efficiency. Power user of The Raiser's Edge.

Responsible for all aspects of donor relations and fundraising.

Served fast-growing technology company in multiple leadership positions focused on ensuring customer success. Hiring Manager, Customer Support: Tapped to fill urgent Six Sigma-created position to address one of company’s most critical needs: hiring for company’s largest and most profitable division during exponential growth. Developed strategy and metrics for hiring and promotion. Hired more than 100 employees in one year. Director, Product Support: Managed 120-person department within $52 million Customer Support Division (company’s largest and most profitable division). Responsible for productivity and career development of eight managers and their teams, budget, operations, and customer satisfaction and renewals.Manager, Client Relations: Managed high-level team responsible for ensuring retention and success of customers through expert communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and conflict-resolution tactics. Served as author and communications advisor for company on issues impacting 12,000+ clients, being sensitive to special needs of nonprofit organizations. Planning Committee Member and Program Chair for first four Blackbaud International Conferences (now known as BBCON).

Managed record-setting reunion giving program and annual fund including direct mail, stewardship, and student phonation. Also worked in Annual Fund, Planned Giving, and Paladin Club (Athletics) offices as a student.