Marilyn Simon-Gersuk

Experience

• 

  United Jewish Communities

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1997

  Regional Director and Women's Campaign Director
• 

  Jewish Federation of Greater

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2000

  Assistant Director

  Each year exceeded division's objective of $4 million for annual ($9M) women's campaign.Managed staff of 7 for major gifts ($5,000+), country club and business and professional divisions.Created new division initially for 12 senior executive women, providing them a connection to the work of the Federation while cultivating them as major campaign donors. Contributions from this group have since grown from thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands.Created new Lion of Judah Endowment program (part of national effort), with recognition pieces such as special hand drawn ketubah that all signed and received a copy of.Oversaw and planned over 20 fundraising, stewardship and outreach events each year. Show less

• 

  Los Angeles Jewish Home

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2004

  Associate Director, Fund Development

  Managed all fund raising strategies to exceed annual goal of $9 million each year.Supervised staff of 18 and served as department liaison to other internal departments.Created and managed annual department budget.Provided ongoing guidance and support for Fund Development Chair, Chairman of the Board, special event chairs and several committees (all volunteers) that supported the ongoing development campaigns and special projects.Raised over $1.2 million for 90th Anniversary celebration as staff manager, special projects. Worked with outside capital campaign consultant for new $72 million residence building, developed recognition plan for donors including all aspects of ground-breaking ceremony.Implemented moves management fundraising strategies for individual donors.Created new volunteer seminars and new leadership development program to attract and develop younger volunteers. Recruited two well-known community leaders to chair. The programs continue to be successful in developing new leaders for the organization. Director, Associates-IMCDirected the successful merger of Associates and IMC women's support groups, resulting in a more viable and energetic fundraising arm of over 600 members.The new group raised more than $600,000 annually in addition to several significant capital gifts. Annual fundraising has since grown to over $1 million per year.Planned and implemented all aspects of annual Tree of Life event for over 600 guests. Show less

• 

  The ALS Association

  Oct 2004 - Oct 2009

  Vice President, Development & Community Services

  Provide leadership to 40+ chapters nationwide in the areas of management, leadership, and fundraising. Increased chapter fundraising through the Walk to Defeat to over $18m. Created training opportunities for volunteer and professional staff. Created turnkey resources and programs for chapters. Implemented Chapter Standards. Lead national development effort including major and planned giving, direct mail, ephilanthropy, donor research and more.

• 

  New Horizons

  Oct 2009 - Jun 2011

  Chief Development Officer

  Oversee all aspects of development, marketing, media relations, public relations and advocacy.Supervised 3 staff members and managed an annual budget of $800,000.Established a sustainable, comprehensive annual development program for an organization predominantly dependent on state funding. Created and manage a new major gifts effort, doubling the funds raised in the first year.Established an e-philanthropy program to support fundraising efforts and awareness of New Horizons.Retooled a client walk event as a major community supported, revenue-generating walk.Expanded planned giving program to build endowment, using new marketing pieces, events and new venues for delivery of our message.Led effort to modernize development tools, including website and database.Established stronger relationships with elected officials though regular meetings, resulting in new grants of over $300,000 to date and fewer cuts in public funding than threatened. Created new marketing materials for program areas and identified new venues for promoting the organization. Show less

• 

  Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado

  Oct 2011 - Aug 2012

  Chief Development Officer

  Oversee administration of all aspects of annual campaign raising $10m including major and planned giving, general campaign (gifts under $10k donors), community events, direct mail, campaign planning, and more.

• 

  Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

  Aug 2013 - Jan 2016

  Director of Development and Operations

  Oversaw all development and operations of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara including annual campaign, major gifts, planned gifts, grants, Women's Division, special events, galas, and direct and telemarketing. Managed budget, personnel, donor database, insurance, governance and marketing. Actively engaged and participated with Executive and General Board. Relaunch of Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival. Successfully engaged community and grew donor support.

• 

  When Georgia Smiled. The Robin McGraw Revelation and Dr. Phil Foundation

  Jan 2016 - Jul 2016

  President/CEO
• 

  Open Medicine Foundation (OMF)

  Jun 2016 - Jan 2020

  Director, Communications & Development

  Raising awareness and critical funds for revolutionary scientific research into neuro-immune diseases (ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme, and others).

• 

  American Friends of the Hebrew University

  Jan 2020 - Dec 2021

  Associate Executive Director
• 

  Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County

  Dec 2021 - Sept 2022

  Executive Director

  Dedicated to ending the cycles of domestic violence.

• 

  County of Santa Barbara

  Mar 2023 - now

  Contract Manager