Rachel Kirley, CFRE, CAP

Experience

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  E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall - The University of Akron

  Aug 2003 - May 2005

  Patron Services Graduate Assistant
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  Profile Theatre

  Aug 2005 - Jun 2006

  Operations Manager
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  Portland Opera

  Jul 2006 - Oct 2010

  Individual Giving Manager

  Fundraising for donors under $2,500, database management, supervision of department assistant

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  Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

  Oct 2010 - Mar 2017

  Responsible for development of a comprehensive donor-centric major gifts solicitation plan to meet budgeted CSO income goals, including case statement development and strategies for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects. The Director focuses on the annual fund goal for major gifts as well as goals established for current and future special projects, employing moves management to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors. The Director also works with leadership to identify and cultivate prospects for six- and seven-figure outright transformational gifts. The Director serves as a leader on the Philanthropy team in an elevated role within the department; acting as backup for the Vice President of Philanthropy when needed. Supervises the Individual Giving Manager and the Leadership Giving Manager, whose focus on gifts below $10,000 will also fall under the responsibility of this position. The Director will also oversee the shared services functions for the department to cultivate and steward institutional and individual donors, managed by two full time Philanthropy Assistants who will report to the Director. The goal of these services is to continue to build the relationships that were established when the gifts were made to ensure the successful renewal of these gifts in the future. Show less Responsible for development of a comprehensive donor-centric major gifts solicitation plan to meet budgeted income goals, including case statement development and strategies for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding for major gift prospects. Focused on the annual fund goal for major gifts ($750 and above), as well as goals established for current and future special projects, employing moves management to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors. Also worked with leadership to identify and cultivate prospects for six- and seven-figure transformational gifts. Show less

  • Director of Individual Giving and Donor Services

    Jul 2014 - Mar 2017

  • Director of Major Gifts

    Mar 2013 - Jul 2014

  • Individual Giving Manager

    Oct 2010 - Mar 2013
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  Tessitura Network

  Dec 2012 - Jul 2013

  TLCC2013 Planning Committee

  Serving on the Development planning committee for the 2013 Tessitura Conference in San Francisco. The conference plays hosts to performing arts administrators from all over the world and brings them together to discuss how to use the Tessitura database to the fullest extent.

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  Tessitura Network

  Jan 2014 - Aug 2014

  TLCC2014 Planning Committee
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  Tessitura Network

  Jan 2015 - Aug 2015

  TLCC2015 Planning Committee
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  Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

  Mar 2017 - Sept 2020

  Responsible for relationship management with a focus on developing deep personal relationships with current or high potential major supporters for the annual and capital campaigns through the work of the department and volunteers. Brings strategic and analytic skills to the institution, and is a leader in managing data and business applications to support data-driven decisions. The Director drives fundraising efforts among individuals, corporations, foundations, volunteer institutions and ArtsWave to secure support for operating needs, special initiatives, capital projects and endowment, and provides a full suite of patron benefits. The Director builds and leverages a patron-centric culture to maximize fundraising results. Show less Oversees the successful promotion, management and day-to-day operations of the Playhouse’s Capital Campaign to renovate the iconic Eden Park facility. Oversees the implementation of all aspects of the Capital Campaign, including the execution of the fundraising operating plan, timeline, and achievement of clearly defined benchmarks and goals. Establishes solicitation priorities, manage prospect lists and research, develops and executes targeted cultivation plans and solicitation strategies for a select group of high-potential prospects. Works closely with the Campaign Cabinet Chair regarding the strategy and cultivation of the highest net-worth donor prospects. Serves as the primary liaison with the Campaign Cabinet including coordination of regular meetings and management of Cabinet members’ cultivation and solicitation activities. Serves as a member of the Playhouse’s senior management team, working cohesively with staff in all departments. Show less

  • Development Director

    Aug 2017 - Sept 2020

  • Capital Campaign Director

    Mar 2017 - Aug 2017
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  San Francisco Symphony

  Oct 2020 - now

  The Deputy Director, Development and Individual Giving is a key strategic leader and is the second most senior position on the San Francisco Symphony’s Development Team, reporting directly to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and working regularly with the CEO, Board leadership, and fundraising volunteer leadership. The DDIG is a critical frontline fundraiser managing a portfolio of 45-50 Major Gift and Planned Giving prospects totaling a minimum of $3-5M annually to the Annual Fund. The DDIG will lead a team of 7 development professionals, with 5 direct reports, responsible for the overall contributed Annual Fund, Board campaign, and comprehensive campaign revenue goals for the Symphony’s Individual Giving team, strategy for Individual Giving and overall growth of private philanthropy. Show less The Director, Individual Giving is a senior leader on the San Francisco Symphony’s Development Team and reports directly to the Senior Director, Development. The Director is an important frontline fundraiser managing a portfolio of 45-50 Major Gift and Planned Giving prospects totaling $3M - $5M annually to the Annual Fund. In total, The Director leads and manages a team of 7 responsible for more than $15 million in annual contributed revenue, including 5 direct reports. In partnership with the Senior Director, the Director is responsible for the contributed annual fund and campaign revenue goals for the SF Symphony Individual Giving team, strategy for Individual Giving and overall growth of private philanthropy. The Director is responsible for annual giving, special fundraising, new philanthropy initiatives, and a major gifts team with portfolios at ~$1M+ each. Show less

  • Deputy Director, Development and Individual Giving

    Feb 2023 - now

  • Director, Individual Giving

    Oct 2020 - Feb 2023