Melinda Johnson, CFRE

Experience

• 

  Other Experience, Arkansas State University

  Sept 1996 - May 1998

  Internships

  Worked as a Practicum Intern for one semester for American Red Cross where wrote news releases, designed newsletter and other publications and worked on special event promotions Worked as Intern for Leisure Arts in Retail Marketing, Advertising and Promotion Departments where wrote ad copy, worked on ad lay-out, developed sales sheets and wrote sales newsletterServed as News Editor and Reporter for The Herald of Arkansas State University where assigned stories, edited copy, supervised over ten reporters and covered campus government Show less

• 

  Topcon Positioning Systems

  Sept 1998 - Dec 2000

  Marketing Information Specialist

  Established direct marketing and co-op advertising strategies for construction laser companyCoordinated marketing activities with distributors including developing a co-op advertising and direct mail program, coordinating sales testimonial presentations, developing and designing distributor brochures and coordinating market analysis programDeveloped and implemented national direct mail program by developing national lead processing and Topcon retail store databases and designing direct mail publicationsCoordinated advertising and public relations activities including designing and writing copy for ads, brochures, newsletter, sales presentations and mailers, writing new product release and job stories for various magazines and tracking competitive advertising Show less

• 

  Shelby Residential & Vocational Services

  Dec 2000 - Jan 2006

  Director of PR & Development

  Managed the PR and development office for non-profit agencyCoordinated all PR activities including designing publications such as quarterly and employee newsletters, annual reports and brochures. Handled all media relations and represented the agency at public eventsCoordinated all development activities including writing grants, managing agency United Way campaign, overseeing all major special events including annual silent auction Established the agency's Annual Campaign programCoordinated all special event activities including fundraising events, employee banquets, Anniversary gatherings, and Strategic Planning activitiesSupervised six staff and volunteer positions, served on agency core director/managements teams and worked closely with Board of Directors; Show less

• 

  Self-employed

  Mar 2006 - Jan 2008

  Grant Writing Consultant

  Worked with several non-profits to write grants and raise moneyConsulted with Shelby Residential & Vocational ServicesConsulted with the Alliance for Non-Profit Excellence and The Med FoundationConsulted with TNCO Acts and Buffalo River Services

• 

  Shelby Residential & Vocational Services

  Feb 2008 - May 2011

  Director of PR & Development

  Managed the PR and development office for non-profit agencyPlanned Capital Campaign for a new administrative and program building. Successfully led the team to secure $4.7 million.Coordinated all PR activities including designing publications such as quarterly and employee newsletters, annual reports and brochures. Handled all media relations and represented the agency at public eventsCoordinated all development activities including writing grants, managing agency United Way campaign, overseeing all major special events including annual silent auction Established the agency's Annual Campaign programCoordinated all special event activities including fundraising events, employee banquets, Anniversary gatherings, and Strategic Planning activitiesSupervised six staff and volunteer positions, served on agency core director/managements teams and worked closely with Board of Directors; Show less

• 

  Easter Seals Arkansas

  May 2011 - May 2012

  Director of Development

  Managed the development office for non-profit agencyLed the Capital Campaign efforts. Successfully secured $250,000 and $100,000 grants.Coordinated all development activities including writing grants, overseeing eight major special events, and securing major gifts through annual gift campaign and corporate sponsor/partner programsSupervised up to six Development StaffResponsible for raising the $1.4 million in funds needed to ensure quality programs

• 

  Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas

  May 2012 - Mar 2013

  Development Director

  Managed the two-person development office for non-profit agencyLed the Capital Campaign efforts including leading feasibility study efforts, developing case statements and other materials, and helping to secure lead million dollar gift Coordinated all development activities including writing grants, overseeing two major special events, and securing major gifts through annual gift campaign and corporate sponsor/partner programsResponsible for raising the nearly $1 million needed to ensure program sustainability Show less

• 

  Dinner's Ready Catering

  Apr 2013 - May 2015

  Marketing Director

  Managed all social media marketing and promotion including Facebook, Twitter, InstaGram, You Tube, web.Coordinated marketing activities including designing publications, developing advertising, coordinating marketing campaigns and other activities as needed.Coordinated sales and networking opportunities as well as coordinated catering and wedding trade show exhibits and marketingIncreased sales by 25% in first year and continued at 10% increase each additional year

• 

  Key School and Training Center

  Feb 2016 - now

  Coordinated all development activities including database management, writing grants, overseeing major special event, and securing gifts through annual gift campaign Established new No Go Gala annual online fundraiser Established annual giving programs

  • Director Of Advancement

    Mar 2022 - now

  • Marketing and Development Coordinator

    May 2021 - Mar 2022

  • Development Specialist

    Feb 2016 - May 2021