Michael Gast Email & Phone Number

Writing and interviewing others about the nascent and emerging, unprecedented and historic, movement of wealthy people, attempting to side with the poor, working and middle class, for equity and justice. Some of the key questions I’m looking at…What’s the lineage of progressive and left efforts to organize the rich? What have we learned from the last 50.

Oakland, California, United States

Working with wealthy individuals to help them create and implement social justice giving and financial plans.

Helping people move their money to the most effective, powerful grassroots groups engaged in local electoral organizing efforts all around the country.

Supported Climate Justice Alliance with the development of their fundraising team, systems and strategy, particularly around major donor cultivation and asks.

Oakland, CA

Worked with East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) to develop a donor learning, education and organizing program. Led first-ever EBCF Donor Leadership Cohort for a set of EBCF supporters, donor advised fund holders, and staff. Led staff trainings on developing a social justice donor organizing practice within EBCF.

Develop and update individual fundraising plan. Support staff and board in individual fundraising, including major donor asks. Development systems assessment. Individual fundraising training for staff. 1-1 support and coaching for Board. Works closely with staff on individual fundraising strategy and planning.

San Francisco Bay Area

Create fundraising plan to successfully raise organizational reserve fund in next 3 years. Lead initial implementation of the plan.

National

• Launched membership program, creating strategy, developing materials, coaching leaders and volunteers, and coordinating Winter membership drive. Exceeded income goals by 100% and membership goals by 300%.
• Set-up organizational fundraising systems, including donor tracking and management.
• Coordinated Winter fundraising campaign and membership launch, including numerous email appeals and social media strategy.
• Developed and launched major donor program, increasing number of donors giving $5,000 or more from 3 to 14.
• Supported and coached leaders in making effective major donor asks.
• Managed foundation and organizational fundraising asks.

Oakland, CA

• Led individual donor fundraising efforts, exceeding Spring fundraising goal by 133%.
• Developed and launched major donor team, increasing the number of donors giving $5,000+, from two in 2014 to seven, halfway through 2015.
• Coached lead staff in effective major donor fundraising.
• Coordinated and led production of Spring Fundraising Appeal, including creation of fundraising videos, email and social media communications.

Seattle And Oakland

Lead staff member on Fundraising, Operations, Database Development, Communications.Support and team up with ED on strategic direction of organization, as well as board and staff development. Supervised Operations and some Program staff. Over 4+ years as lead fundraiser on staff, led increase in income from $500k to over $1 million dollars annually.

• Director for national non-profit organizing young people with wealth to leverage their resources and privilege for social change.
• Lead staff member on fundraising, operations, database development and communications.
• Shared responsibility with and supported Executive Director in setting the budget, organizational goals, and strategic direction while managing the staff and board.
• During 4+ years as lead fundraiser on staff, led increase in income from $500k to over $1 million dollars annually. Grew staff from 5 to 10 people in that time.

• Directed program organizing young people who want to transform their family foundations, and the field of philanthropy, to support social change.
• Organized two Creating Change Through Family Philanthropy Retreats engaging over 75 young people involved in their families foundations in community building, learning and action.
• Led multiple delegations, with over 125 young people involved in their family foundations, to philanthropy conferences, supporting them to make their values and voices central to the programming and leadership of these.

Greater Seattle Area

- Assisted site supervisor with all facets of major 16-unit apartment building remodel on Queen Anne in Seattle. - Responsibilities included installing insulation, base trim, luan, drywall, full IKEA kitchens including cabinets, counter tops, sinks, vent hoods and venting. - Gained experience trimming out windows and doors, caulking, patching sub floors.

• Managed Preschool through 8th Grade After School program, including supervision of thirteen person staff, facilitation of weekly staff meetings, coordination of bi-monthly newsletter, creation and management of high.
• Coordinated and supported the development of age-appropriate service learning projects for preschool through 8th grade, with a primary focus on initiating and facilitating relationships between community based.

Educated youth, from elementary to high school age, about concepts of environmental justice and urban sustainability through community action and research projects, in their schools, neighborhoods and city.

Bs, Urban Studies

Education record