Tara Harper Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Greater Chicago Area

Chicago, Illinois

Associate Director of Advancement for a national non-profit organization focused on increasing access to care, improving health literacy, and advocating for policies that improve oral health for all Americans. Responsible for fundraising efforts that contribute to the organization’s $2.7 million annual revenue. This includes directly managing relationships with the organization’s largest foundation and corporate partners, writing grant proposals, year-end reports, managing quarterly campaigns, and supporting individual giving efforts and the Annual Gala & Benefit.

Chicago, Il

Evaluation Advisor for local YMCA’s throughout the country participating in the Y USA’s Summer Learning Program (SLP). As a part of the Y USA’s work to address the Achievement Gap, the Y, beginning in the summer of 2012, piloted the new SLP program based on the YMCA of Charlotte’s Y Readers Program. The SLP aims to reduce the achievement gap of at-risk students by providing high quality literacy based and enrichment programming for six intensive weeks during the summer.

Bellwood, Il

2010-1013: Project TAPESTRY is a program funded by the US Department of Education’s High School Graduation Initiative (HSGI). Project TAPESTRY was created by West 40 to address graduation rates at two local school districts and provides both social emotional and academic support for students that are at risk of or have already dropped out.-Co-wrote and developed Project TAPESTRY grant proposal by researching data on best practices in the field of dropout prevention, examining what services were available and through analysis of what was needed in the specific communities and schools. -Collaborated with Program Directors, site coordinators, student advocates, coaches, and teachers in the collection of data, refining the evaluation design and in implementing evaluation tools. -Assisted in the design of a database that warehouses critical student information and tracks both student and program progress. -Conducted ongoing evaluation of the program to allow for continual program improvements.-Worked with the Intervention Management Team to provided recommendations for program growth and development based on data analysis and desired program outcomes, objectives and goals. -Ensured that program implementation addressed both federally mandated and project specific objectives within established time frames. -Wrote required annual and midyear federal reports for the US Department of Education, West 40 Governing Board, and school sites.2004 - 2008: Grant Evaluator / Writer (Contract)-Assisted in developing and writing federal and state grants, including the Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant (PEP) (FY 2005 -2008).-Oversaw the implementation and evaluation of student programs and services to ensure that goals and objectives of the grant were being met in a timely matter. Worked closely with PE and Health teachers and school Principals from all three school sites to implement the grant program.

Greater Chicago Area

-Provided evaluation services for the Community Learning Programs located at three local Chicago Public Schools for the 2009/10 school years and five schools during the 2010/11 school year. -Evaluation services include the development and analysis of student, adult participant, instructor/staff, teacher, and parent surveys (in English and Spanish) and analysis of student data and assessment scores. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data on an ongoing basis to allow for continuous program improvement.-Wrote annual report for U.S. Department of Education and Hull House key stake holders, following evaluation guidelines for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant – which three of the five schools were recipients of.-Worked closely with Program Director to ensure sites were providing youth with quality programming.-Attended periodic meetings to discuss program progress and provide recommendations on for improvements based on objectives, goals and evaluation results.

Greater Chicago Area

The Council on Accreditation (COA) accredits both private and public service organizations.-Managed the accrediting process for the Jane Addams Hull House Association.-Reviewed documentation from all departments to ensure that proper procedures were in place, being followed, and were updated.-Coordinated with Senior Management throughout organization to ensure that all accreditation milestones were being met and that required material were being submitted on a timely basis. -Provided training to staff and conducted mock site visits throughout the organization to better prepare for the COA site visits.-Updated procedural documentation including risk management reports.-Coordinated and managed the visit of four COA members throughout the organization during a three day review period, in which more than 40 interviews were conducted with both Hull House staff and program participants and at least 10 sites throughout the city were visited.

Greater Chicago Area

Enlace Chicago is a community organization, located in the Little Village neighborhood, dedicated to improving the lives of its residents by creating opportunities for educational advancement and economic development. -Provided evaluation services for Community Learning Programs located at five local Chicago Public Schools for the 2008/09 and 2009/10 school years. This included two elementary, one middle, and two high schools. -Evaluation services included the development and analysis of student, adult participant, instructor/staff, teacher, and parent surveys (in English and Spanish) and analysis of student data and assessment scores.-Wrote mid-year and annual reports for U.S. Department of Education and Enlace key stake holders, following evaluation guidelines for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant. -Attended periodic meetings to discuss program progress and provide recommendations on program improvements based on objectives and goals.

Greater Chicago Area

-Responsible for providing Treasury Management services to Large Corporate and Not-for-Profit organizations located within the Central US region. -Maintained existing relationships, while fostering new ones with the overall goal of identifying new business opportunities and generating revenue. -Successfully exceeded each year’s annual new business revenue goals. -Analyzed business operations to determine what products and services would best meet clients’ needs and provided consulting resources to customers and prospects looking to make changes within their Treasury Management system.-Assisted clients in developing strategies to better manage cash flow both from a receivables and disbursements aspect, allowing them to optimize balances for investment purposes. -Managed implementation of new services and products for new and existing clients.-Completed and responded to Requests for Proposals (RFI’s and bids) and conducted presentations for prospective clients. Provided training at national Treasury Management conferences and seminars.