Marion Combs Email & Phone Number

Cincinnati, Ohio

Interim executive and consulting services in resource development, organizational strategy, and executive search for arts, cultural, and educational organizations.

Cincinnati, Ohio

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) was launched in 2017 as the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association, which is the home of the International Thespian Society. ETF provides essential financial support to enhance excellence in theatre education and to expand access to school theatre programs for every child, putting them on a more positive life path. ETF is focused on three areas: (1) JumpStart Theatre–to create sustainable musical theatre programs where there previously… Show more The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) was launched in 2017 as the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association, which is the home of the International Thespian Society. ETF provides essential financial support to enhance excellence in theatre education and to expand access to school theatre programs for every child, putting them on a more positive life path. ETF is focused on three areas: (1) JumpStart Theatre–to create sustainable musical theatre programs where there previously were none; (2) need-based grants to schools–to provide teaching and performance resources and equipment in under-resourced schools; and, (3) merit and need-based grants to individuals—to nurture the next generation of theatre teachers and artists. In its first year ETF awarded more than $650,000 in grants, directly impacting high school theatre programs in 50 cities, and enabling the development of musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools in six states.Reporting to the ETF President, I oversee all aspects of the foundation’s fundraising, and interacts extensively with volunteer leaders nationwide.• Conceived strategy to launch national foundation to raise funds for school theatre.• Lead the team to recruit a Board of Trustees from many entertainment industry verticals.• Created and developed special fundraising events in New York and Los Angeles to raise national profile.• Lead a successful scaling-up of funding for JumpStart Theatre's national expansion. Show less

Cincinnati, Ohio

The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a national nonprofit organization with approximately 135,000 student and professional members. EdTA’s mission is to shape lives through theatre education by: (1) honoring student achievement in theatre and enriching their theatre education experience; (2) supporting teachers by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition; and (3) influencing public opinion that theatre education is essential and builds… Show more The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a national nonprofit organization with approximately 135,000 student and professional members. EdTA’s mission is to shape lives through theatre education by: (1) honoring student achievement in theatre and enriching their theatre education experience; (2) supporting teachers by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition; and (3) influencing public opinion that theatre education is essential and builds life skills. EdTA operates the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honorary organization that has inducted more than 2.3 million theatre students since its founding in 1929. Reporting to EdTA's Executive Director, I oversee all aspects of the Association’s fundraising, and interacts extensively with volunteer leaders nationwide and with multiple departments, including Membership, Marketing, Chapter Relations and Educational Events. Show less

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Interim executive and consulting services in advancement, fund development and organizational strategy for arts, cultural, and educational organizations.• Developed state arts council proposals for two major performing arts centers.• Created a case statement and phased capital program for a church-building campaign.• Created and scaled a communication and special-events plan for an arts start-up.

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Principal staff responsibility for development at New Jersey’s largest performing arts center, assisting the President and CEO in fundraising, Board development, and strategic-planning activities and managing the Development Department. Working closely with the President and the Board of Trustees, I oversaw all areas of annual and capital fund raising, membership, corporate sponsorship, special events, endowment and planned giving.• Doubled average Board of Trustee gift in two years… Show more Principal staff responsibility for development at New Jersey’s largest performing arts center, assisting the President and CEO in fundraising, Board development, and strategic-planning activities and managing the Development Department. Working closely with the President and the Board of Trustees, I oversaw all areas of annual and capital fund raising, membership, corporate sponsorship, special events, endowment and planned giving.• Doubled average Board of Trustee gift in two years, with 100% participation.• Designed and implemented six $2,000,000+ annual fundraising campaigns, exceeding all previous annual drives.• Achieved highest gross ($710,000) in State Theatre’s history for annual Benefit Gala, central Jersey’s major cultural special event. • Contributed to five balanced budgets in six years during the most adverse funding climate in recent history.• Exceeded $500,000 every year for six years with annual Benefit Gala.• Achieved 94% of annual funding goal during the 2008-2009 recession with 40% staffing reduction in Development; 2008-2009, despite the recession and reduced state support, was the second best annual fundraising year in theater’s history.• Participated in eliminating Theatre’s accumulated operating deficit in 2009. Show less

Birmngham, Alabama

Principal staff responsibility for development and marketing for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a nationally significant social-history museum and research center, including annual fundraising, endowment & planned giving, special-events sponsorships, proposal development, the planning and implementation of a capital campaign, public relations, marketing and volunteer coordination.• Designed & implemented capital campaign for $5,000,000 goal; over $6,000,000 in commitments were… Show more Principal staff responsibility for development and marketing for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a nationally significant social-history museum and research center, including annual fundraising, endowment & planned giving, special-events sponsorships, proposal development, the planning and implementation of a capital campaign, public relations, marketing and volunteer coordination.• Designed & implemented capital campaign for $5,000,000 goal; over $6,000,000 in commitments were received.• Directed marketing for heritage tourism destination of national importance, with significant international visitation.• Designed & implemented annual fundraising programs and donor clubs.• Created annual human-rights awards dinner and designed corporate sponsorship programs.• Created formal endowment program and Legacy Society for endowed/planned gifts.• More than $1,500,000 awarded in grants & contracts annually. Show less

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Principal staff responsibility for institutional advancement of Stillman College, a private, liberal arts UNCF college, including all college fund-raising activities, alumni affairs, public relations, and grant and proposal development. • Created grant/proposal office which generated more than $1,250,000 in its first year, including $950,000 in HUD grants.• Completed a capital campaign for $3,750,000 (building renovation, faculty salaries, and scholarships).• Planned and… Show more Principal staff responsibility for institutional advancement of Stillman College, a private, liberal arts UNCF college, including all college fund-raising activities, alumni affairs, public relations, and grant and proposal development. • Created grant/proposal office which generated more than $1,250,000 in its first year, including $950,000 in HUD grants.• Completed a capital campaign for $3,750,000 (building renovation, faculty salaries, and scholarships).• Planned and implemented another capital campaign for construction of an arts and humanities building with a goal of $4,500,000; $5,225,000 in commitments (116%).• Complete supervisory responsibility for the renovation and financing (College Loan Program) of a residence hall with 60 beds; for the construction and financing (local bond issue) of a residence hall with 190 beds; and, for the construction of a student health and development center.• Co-wrote an NEH Challenge Grant for $250,000 for a new humanities building.• Wrote a successful $200,000 Ford Foundation proposal to create a community service program, and supervised the program for 2 ½ years.• Coordinated the College’s strategy for community redevelopment, including theformation of community task forces and advisory councils.• Wrote a successful grant to upgrade computer system in Institutional Advancement and also to network the entire office, including new hardware, software (Raiser’s Edge), and staff training. Show less

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English Language And Literature, High Honors In English

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa

Postgraduate Study, Mass Communication/Media Studies & Statistics

Master Of Arts (M.A.), English Literature And Film Studies