Lauren Embree Email & Phone Number

Bentonville, Ar, Us

In this role, my responsibilities encompass a wide range of crucial tasks essential to furthering The Salvation Army's mission in Northwest Arkansas. I take the lead in cultivating and nurturing relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporations, forming the cornerstone of our financial support network. Crafting and executing fundraising strategies is a key part of my role, along with managing donor portfolios and meticulously implementing plans to engage with our donors on a personal level. Additionally, I serve as a bridge to select companies, securing funds, both in times of disaster and for ongoing support, all while collaborating closely with National Headquarters as a disaster liaison.

As founder and principal of Empower Impact, I am able to engage in my mission to equip and uplift nonprofit organizations by providing comprehensive support services tailored to their unique needs. Through my expertise, I aim to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofits in our community.I am dedicated to building strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations, serving as their trusted concierge, and delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions that drive positive social impact. By leveraging my experience and passion for nonprofit work, I strive to help organizations optimize their operations, increase their visibility, expand their reach, and maximize their impact on the causes they champion. My ultimate goal is to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities I serve.

Connecting our community with opportunities to support STEAM education in Northwest Arkansas and beyond⚡️• Lead $25M capital campaign from planning phase into fundraising phase.• Closed over $13M in commitments. • Worked directly with the board and capital campaign cabinet through donor prospect, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.• Stewarded portfolio of major donors.• Redeveloped campaign communication.

Bentonville, Arkansas, United States

Provided support and leadership during a time of transition, stabilizing the fundraising and marketing teams through prioritizing individual team member support, establishing operating procedures, and executing essential projects. Key achievements: • Assisted in the organization-wide database transition from Versai to Tessitura.• Managed relationships with several outside consultants.• Provided leadership in hiring and onboarding new team members, including the Sr. Manager of Marketing and Director of Development and Communication.• Responsible for 3 departmental budgets.

Fayetteville, Ar

Responsible for ensuring that NWALT is consistently engaged in professional, inclusive, effective, and integrated communications, outreach, and development strategies to expand NWALT's base of support, achieve organizational fundraising goals, and advance the strategic objectives of the land trust.Key achievements:• Led NWALT rebrand including the design of a mobile responsive website, communication plan, messaging strategy, and brand style guide.• Drafted development plan and implemented membership program resulting in 860% revenue growth in 18 months.• Launched and completed the Land for Life campaign with more than $3M in contributions before the campaign close date.• Developed and produced Immerse Nature and Arts Festival, a month-long celebration opening Wilson Springs Preserve.• Led organization-wide CRM transition to Salesforce NPSP; served as Salesforce Administrator.• Established communication and development policies adopted by the Board of Directors.• Manage social accounts with a combined audience of 10,000+.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Developed business plan, raised capital, created brand and marketing materials, and managed the community art space in downtown Fayetteville that featured a performance stage, art gallery, and craft cocktail bar.Key achievements:• Built and managed team of employees.• Presented an average of 250 performances annually.• Hosted two theatre company residencies for touring productions, one of which went on to win awards at numerous international Fringe festivals.• Co-curated monthly visual art exhibitions and First Thursday artist receptions.

Fayetteville, Arkansas Area

Overall strategic and operational responsibility for organization staff, programs, expansion, and execution of the mission to connect artists with economic opportunities through production, promotion, and education.Key achievements:• Produced more than 60 monthly and annual arts events in Northwest Arkansas, benefiting 200+ visual and performance artists.• Granted over $250,000 to regional artists.• Created Artists Helping Artists, a series of professional development workshops for working artists.• Developed and produced the three-day Creative Exchange Conference connecting career artists with small business support, education, and resources.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Founder and producer of the performing arts festival Last Night Fayetteville, Arkansas’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration, showcasing hundreds of local artists each year.Key achievements:• Total audience more than 14,000 from 34 states and 6 countries since 2011.• Annual economic impact of more than $2 million to the city of Fayetteville.• Manage extensive marketing campaign capturing more than 6 million impressions annually.• Featured in national publications including Travel & Leisure, Time, Southern Living, NBC News, AP Newswire, and more.• Named by Trip Advisor as one of the “Top 10 Most Unique NYE Celebrations.”

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Co-Founder and producer of the first Creative Exchange Conference, a 3 day event held August 5-7, 2016 in Fayetteville, AR and Bentonville, Ar.The conference featured: • Workshops focused on topics relevant to the creative industry including marketing, funding, legal issues, and entrepreneurship • Field sessions for music, design, performance, literary and visual arts industries• Panel discussions with regional experts on topics & trends within the creative economy• Inspiring keynote speakers sharing their insights into making a successful living in the creative industry• Showcase performances featuring some of Arkansas's best talent• After parties and networking eventsAs co-founder and producer, I was responsible for every aspect of the conference: • Booking workshops, keynote speakers, and panel participants• Leading all marketing efforts, including design of all marketing, print, and web materials• Securing private and public sponsorship, grants, and in kind support• Budget management • Crafting every aspect of the attendee experience, from venue booking to catering

Working directly with the organization’s top donors, I built a solid foundation in excellent customer service, an attitude I continue to value. Outside my job duties, I partnered with the communication department to pioneer efforts in social media engagement and further organizational awareness through the development of the Young Professionals group. Other responsibilities include:• Managed database of donors through the Tessitura system; processed financial contributions; managed donor receivables; staffed donor lounge and other special events• Served as primary box office contact for donors giving $2,500+ annually• Coordinated marketing efforts with the Young Professionals group• Assisted with the launch of social media marketing including Facebook & MySpace• Served as box office supervisor during most performances

Worked on a variety of tasks including event prep, contribution processing, maintaining donor databases, accounts payable/receivable & marketing material design.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Communication, General

Computer Science