Tara Covelens Email & Phone Number

Pittsburgh, Pa

Regional development officer for all things WVU in the Pittsburgh area.

Lead fundraiser for the Neuroscience Institute, 2018-presentLead fundraiser for the Medicine Institute, 2020-presentLead fundraiser for Nursing, 2022-present * Raised $1 million+ annually in a brand new fundraising program by focusing on building a pipeline and creating a major gift program in three key Institutes, Neuroscience, Medicine, and Nursing.* Increased revenue annually by engaging lapsed donors, working closely with physicians for potential major gifts prospects, researching national and local foundation and corporate funders, and by becoming the go-to person for all fundraising questions within the Institutes.* Revitalized philanthropic support for the Center for Inclusion Health, an AHN initiative that provides services for under-served, under-insured, and uninsured patients through programs in Recovery Medicine (formerly Addiction Medicine), Healthy Food Centers, and Street Medicine. Created a comprehensive strategy by interviewing internal stakeholders to identify clear priorities and greatest needs, by developing materials that told this story for our donors, and as a result grew donors and dollars for these essential services.* Closed the largest gift in Institute history (high six figures) for Parkinson’s Disease by working with a lapsed donor who felt left behind by the organization; by listening to their concerns, engaging their family, and creating a visionary plan for growth, I ensured they are now among AHN’s strongest supporters in the fight against this disease.

Upmc Shadyside

* Raised $2 million+ annually for cancer research and patient care by building a pipeline of grateful patient prospects, reconnecting with current donors through meaningful stewardship, closing major gifts, and securing annual support for the Circle of Hope (donors of $10,000+)* Played an active role in strategic planning, key donor strategy, and the direction of the fundraising program by working closely with the Executive Director to improve our team’s performance in each current fiscal year and over the following 2-5 years.* Secured the first seven figure gift in support of pancreatic cancer research at Hillman, despite the key physician leaving the state to work at a different health system. By addressing the donor’s individual concerns, listening to her story and learning her priorities, and by making sure she met the right people on our staff (key researchers, physicians who treated her spouse), I built a strong foundation of trust with this donor who chose to donate a significant portion of her estate.

* By working my way up through the Development team with ongoing fundraising successes, I was promoted to the Senior Management Team, where I led the individual giving team to their highest numbers in dollars raised, donors engaged, and donor acquisition.* Led a strategic overhaul of Individual and Major Giving programs by generating additional stewardship opportunities, creating efficiencies, and standardizing practices, resulting in stronger relationships with donors and increased giving. * Built a strong team of fundraisers and operations staff by empowering them to share their own experience and ideas, encouraging them in their own professional development, and listening to their concerns.* By the end of my tenure, our team raised more than $3.6 million in individual donations, including $1.5 million from major individual donors. I increased revenue by 13%, increased new donors by 22%, and improved retention rate by 5% by approaching our database and procedures with a critical eye and an open mind, and by trying new and innovative strategies in our direct mail program.* Worked closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to increase their activity in fundraising efforts; reported at Board of Directors meetings, engaged them in major giving and donor events, and strategized with the CEO to increase BoD revenue annually.

Plan, direct, coordinate and expand major individual gifts through the use of existing Food Bank strategies and creation of a giving society in addition to a Planned Giving Program. Manage direct mail program. Raise $4.3 million from individual donors. Raise $1.5 million from major donors. Manage Donor Relations Coordinator. Responsible for cultivation and stewardship of all individual and major donors (a donor pool of over 30,000).

Maintains GPCFB’s social media presence and expands as appropriate. Serves as the liaison for all PDO/GPCFB joint fundraising activities. Makes technology available to PDOs who lack fundraising capability. Works with PDOs and Director of Individual Gifts on Direct Mail Campaigns for regional counties. Explores new fundraising opportunities for GPCFB and PDOs. Identifies and engages GPCFB stakeholders throughout the region, including potential affiliates and donors.

Primary contact for five counties in GPCFB’s 10-county regional service area. Developed and expanded services and resources for agencies, including increasing access to general financial support, funds for capital needs, and full range of operational support through GPCFB. As part of the Community Outreach team, increased people served by regional agencies by 4% (goal 3%) and increased pounds of food distributed in regional counties by two million pounds in FY 08-09.

Executive Director of non-profit organization responsible for placing young adults in full-time service learning positions with local non-profit and for-profit organizations. * Ensured the survival of PULSE by securing two major gifts that kept the program from closing in my first two months as Executive Director. I revised our income stream to operate in the black for the first time by securing foundation grants, negotiating work site stipends, and cultivating individual donors.* Recruited and selected eight recent college graduates annually and partnered them with local nonprofits to both support the nonprofit organizations and provide valuable work experience to the cohort.* Established and monitored policies and procedures applicable to financial management, program, human resources, and all other key functions of PULSE. Supervised general program functions and finances, including national recruiting efforts, fundraising, and public relations.

Ma, Literary And Cultural Studies

Ba, English

Activities and Societies: Member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Sigma Nu, and Sigma Tai Delta honors associations.Graduated cum laude.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba