Preston Cornish Email & Phone Number

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Led AEI's team dedicated to explaining and marketing AEI scholars’ research to America’s leading philanthropists, with a focus on drafting and editing written proposals, reports, collateral materials, and other communications for donors across the range of AEI’s scholarly areas. Additionally, I provided support to donor prospecting, research, and outreach efforts.

After departing from Reason Foundation, I began working with a small group of libertarian/center-right clients to deliver grantwriting services, foundation research, strategic planning, and more.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Promoted to lead fundraiser for Reason's policy team, including meeting scheduling & follow-up, proposal writing/revising, communication with donors/prospects, event planning, long-term fundraising strategy, proposal writing, foundation outreach, and the layout/design of publications. Revenue increased more than 50% during my tenure at Reason, from <$10m to over $15m. I led fundraising for pension reform through Reason's Pension Integrity Project, school choice, consumer freedom issues issues and on privatization of government services. Through my role, I connected Reason policymakers and journalists to supporters and industry information. During my time, we secured multiple new and increased six-and-seven figure donors for our policy projects, with foundation and corporate fundraising both more than doubling.I continued to plan and execute special events, including the Savas Award for Privatization, which moved to a virtual format in 2020, Reason's 50th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles, the annual Reason Weekend conference, and Reason in Guatemala, which was held in February 2020 in collaboration with Universidad Francisco Marroquin. Event responsibilities included site visits, coordinating venue proposals, setting budgets, identifying and securing speakers, booking staff/speaker travel, writing event marketing materials, managing invite and registration lists, overseeing vendor contracts and execution, serving as an on-site resource for staff and guests, tracking KPIs, and conducting post event surveys and assessments.

Reported directly to the President. Doubled corporate giving from FY 14 through FY 16 to $750,000 per year. Secured multiple six-figure foundation grants to support research programs. Lead $1 million annual foundation fundraising for journalism and internship programs. I helped launch and led the annual Savas Award for Public-Private Partnerships,, with awardees including fmr Gov Mitch Daniels and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Worked with key philanthropic partners to secure event sponsorship funding. Collaborated with policy team members to identify and invite awardees. Wrote invitation materials, managed invite lists, and followed-up with sponsors. Managed on-site logistics for each event. I also managed and led special events, such as January 2016's Reason in Cuba conference with US Sen Jeff Flake, with 50 VIP guests and staff.

Led corporate fundraising and assisted with broader development efforts, including Reason's capital campaign as well as events in DC and our two major annual events, Reason Weekend and the Annual Dinner. I served as the Director of the Reason Foundation Business Advisory Council. The Council was formed in fall 2012 to improve and increase communications between the business community and Reason's policy experts. I organized events with former Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno and former Reagan Budget Director David Stockman. I also took a lead role in forming the Council and launching our first meeting. Ongoing role with the Council: creation of council documents, meeting planning, member communications, and new member prospecting. I also helped re-launch regular events in Reason's Washington, DC office, including policy panels, happy hours, and coalition events. With my technical knowledge, I used Adobe Creative Suite software to design Reason Foundation print materials, including our Building Campaign prospectus, Business Advisory Council benefits one-pager, and Reason Foundation overview brochure.

Arlington, Va

Evaluate and summarize key regulatory threats to economic freedom. Published comment on the EPA Definition of Solid Waste. Wrote literature review on regulatory capture and crony capitalism. Worked with intern group to develop social media strategies for reaching college students with free market ideas and concepts. Participated in Koch Internship Program, reading classical free market texts, engaging in workshops on Market-Based Management, and discussing strategies for professional development.

Hired to assist with the publication of the quarterly research journal, World Future ReviewCollaborated with head of production to design the layout and graphs for the journalSuccessfully completed assignment on schedule, working in Adobe InDesign and Illustrator

Worked with communications and external affairs departments to handle update and reformat of annual Public Affairs directory. Contributed logistical and strategic support to further campaigns such as "Defend My Dividend." Conducted data entry and administrative tasks using Microsoft Office and online database software.