Nick Palazzetti Email and Phone Number

Administer grant making program of the foundation; screen and prioritize funding proposals from grant seeking organizations; manage and expand the fundraising activities of the foundation; prepare materials for meetings of the board and its constituent committees; serve as ex-officio member of all board committees; plan and help to manage special events; develop and implement public relations and marketing activities; broaden the foundation's funding base; supervise office staff

BUSINESS The nation's only accredited avian zoo. Species conservation, field research, education, family recreation, and entertainment.; DUTIES Assist the Board in meeting the short-term and long-term funding needs of the National Aviary; formulate and implement plans for a comprehensive Development program; assist the Board and CEO to become effective fund raisers by providing solicitor training and leadership in identifying, researching, cultivating, and soliciting prospective donors including: individuals, foundations, corporations and others; develop and support relationships with donors, prospects, staff, and other constituents; complete the $22.5 million capital campaign to build North America's first indoor, multi-sensory avian theater and Education Center; oversee the operation of the annual fund, membership acquisition and renewal, Adopt-A-Bird, and exhibit sponsorship components; supervise development staff in seeking and securing government and foundation grant proposals; collaborate with other department staff in producing and coordinating fundraising events, including galas, member receptions, donor receptions, special exhibit openings, etc.; promotes expansion of the institution's endowment through the Phoenix Society and other vehicles; oversee donor acknowledgement appreciation & recognition programs.

BUSINESS National fund counsel firm providing a wide range of services to not-for-profit organizations and institutions, including: feasibility studies and campaign readiness assessment; capital and endowment campaign operation; development audits; board development and training; fund development staff training; and fundraising software installation and implementation.; , with 15-month hiatus for temporary assignment described belowDUTIES Supervise resident campaign directors and administrative assistants in their work in conducting capital and endowment campaigns for nonprofit organizations nationally; develop publications and materials for this national fund counsel firm; conduct development audits and leadership planning studies for organizational clients; lead board retreats for volunteer board members; team with other staff in preparing proposals, case statements, campaign collateral materials, and other key documents; collaborate with other senior staff in developing and implementing public relations and marketing activities.

BUSINESS: Economic and cultural development of Pittsburgh through the creation, expansion, and promotion of a downtown arts and entertainment districtDURATION: 2000, interim assignment DUTIES: Directed the development team in all aspects of the financial development program including annual fund, capital campaign, endowment, operating, programming, projects, and special events fund raising. Teamed with the President and other department heads in planning and implementing projects and developing proposals for funding of initiatives in real estate and building restoration, programming, and operations. Managed the cultivation of major donors. Developed and maintained relationships with the leadership of the region's corporations and foundations. Maintained and strengthened the Trust's relationships with government agencies and the Allegheny Regional Asset District. Expanded the organization's funding base within and beyond the region. Developed corporate sponsorships. Expanded and supported the Trust's Development Committee. Assisted in identifying prospective members for the Board of Trustees and the Development Committee. Led the team in planning and operating special event fundraisers.

BUSINESS: World's largest literacy organization, providing membership, training, publications, annual conference, and other services to more than 1,200 national affiliates and 126 non-governmental organization partner programs in 65 developing nations worldwide.; elimination due to restructuring of fund development department and relocation of field staff positions to headquarters; DUTIES: Conduct cultivation, stewardship, and donor relations activities, managing a portfolio of more than 650 donors in 19 states. Acquire and steward new individual and institutional donors as feasible. Advise affiliate member organizations on management practices and issues. Conduct funding research. Prepare letters of inquiry and funding proposals to foundations for both national and international programs. Develop cause-related marketing plans and opportunities for corporations. Address civic groups, service organizations, giving circles, and regional grantmaking associations. Collaborate with entire fund development team in establishing and implementing fundraising procedures and activities. Maintain accurate and current donor records in database. Make fund development and board development presentations at the annual ProLiteracy Worldwide conference.

Directing all aspects of multimillion-dollar capital and endowment campaigns.Interviewed opinion leaders and prospective donors to assess campaign feasibility. Studied the organization and interfaced with staff and board members to evaluate campaign readiness. Assisted in preliminary identification and recruitment of campaign leadership. Recruited and trained campaign volunteer leaders. Established campaign goals. Developed funding plans. Developed public relations and marketing plans, case statements, brochures, and collateral printed materials for each campaign. Performed foundation funding research. Met with foundation officers and corporate leaders. Developed and submitted funding proposals. Developed the corporate sponsorship system, materials, and contracts. Convened and led meetings of the co-chairs and the honorary and steering committees. Delegated leadership of these committees as soon as practicable. Established record-keeping systems to ensure accurate and timely recording of all contributions to the campaigns. Trained and supervised administrative assistant in data entry, gift recording, pledge reminder, and billing activities. Planned, developed, implemented, and evaluated special events, including cultivation meetings and dinners, awards ceremonies, and groundbreaking ceremonies. Served as liaison between the campaigns and the organizations' President, board, and development staff. Ensured that the campaigns met or exceeded their goals in each of seven to ten divisions, on or ahead of schedule. Developed and issued the transition report for each campaign 30 days prior to completion of contract. Evaluated the campaigns. Submitted reports, and evaluations, both formative and summative, to all appropriate parties as required. Conducted organizational development audits as contracted.

DUTIES: Led the professional team in implementing a financial development program with components in annual fund, endowment, operating, programming, and special events and projects fund raising. Collaborated with the organization's issue experts in developing projects for funding and funding documents. Cultivated major donors. Developed and maintained strong relationships with foundations throughout Pennsylvania and nationally. Expanded the organization's funding base. Developed, planned, and operated fund raising events. Assisted in identifying prospective members for the Board of Directors. Established a Development Committee.

BUSINESS: Funding support to various educational and arts and cultural organizations; DUTIES: Directed grantmaking activities of the foundation locally and nationally. Managed the operation of the company's Making Science Make Sense education program. Supervised Foundation staff and consultants, including local marketing consultant and public relations consultants in New York City. Developed collaborative relationships with other funders and stakeholders in the Foundation's mission.

DUTIES: Directed the financial development team in completing a $5.4 million campaign to build a new children's zoo and a $18.5 million capital campaign to renovate and expand the Zoo's aquarium. Planned and organized the next campaign, with a goal of $16.5 million, for a new 15-acre South American/Asian Forest Complex and veterinary hospital. Developed a successful planned giving program. Broadened the organization's funding base locally, and secured growing support from foundations outside the region. Established giving committees. Secured top-level corporate representatives to serve on the organization's Board of Directors. Led the development team and special events committee in organizing and operating annual fund raising events. Worked closely with the marketing department to develop corporate support and sponsorships. Participated in the strategic planning process and other organizational development efforts.

DUTIES: Developed, instituted, monitored, and evaluated a fund raising system for $4.8 million capital campaign. Established a permanent development program with planned giving, annual fund, capital, endowment, and special events components. Generated and maintained the institution's public relations program. Developed and implemented plans for new human services programs, including child care and adult day care centers, a senior citizen center, and an intergenerational program. Planned and secured funding for a new Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Unit. Secured funding for construction of a new convent and for renovation projects in older wings.