Cari Catts

Experience

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  Theatre, Arts, Performance organization, Baldwin-Wallace College

  Oct 2006 - May 2010

  Senior Class Representative, President

  - Researched/distributed information on current theatre opportunities - Coordinated fundraisers, concerts, performances, and volunteers- Delegated and oversaw responsibilities to executive team

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  Re-Elect Dennis Kucinich Campaign

  May 2008 - Aug 2008

  Event & Site Manager

  - Established and coordinated summer events and volunteer outreach- Recruited, interviewed, and trained new employees and volunteers- Promoted 3 separate times

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  Baldwin Wallace University

  May 2010 - Aug 2010

  Tutor/Advisor - Upward Bound program

  - Tutored and advised 65 students in residential setting, including exclusive supervision and sessions with group of 10 students- Created weekly reports and communicated extensively with staff

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  Hard Hatted Women

  Nov 2010 - Nov 2011

  Civic Engagement Coordinator/AmeriCorps VISTA

  - Evaluate Columbus environment and determine how HHW best fits in region- Organize and perform outreach to potential community partners and future female clients- Find and distribute job information and resources to clientele- Develop educational materials for low-income women- Analyze existing factors that impact women in trade/technical careers, leadership positions, and the workforce in general- Formulate recommendations to increase women's participation in non-traditional occupations- Coordinate with community partners to implement recommendations Show less

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  Dallas Afterschool

  Nov 2011 - Nov 2012

  Development Associate/AmeriCorps VISTA

  - Increase recruitment of volunteers through evaluation, community outreach, and execution of new processes- Expand and improve social media outreach- Assist in the planning and implementation of events- Research and apply for grants

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  West Dallas Boys & Girls Club (formerly Trinity River Mission)

  Nov 2012 - Nov 2019

  Director of Grants and Donor Strategy

  Lead overall grant and donor strategy and content production to increase and diversify revenue• Remain up to date on local, regional, and national research in factors affecting education, including economic equity and health issues, and effectively translate research into relevant, informed, and persuasive argument• Manage grant portfolio under intense deadlines, including writing and/or editing of all grant proposals (up to 13 per month), reports, new funder research, site visits, and presentations• Review, edit, and provide thoughtful analysis to supporting grant writers; Analyze and incorporate others’ feedback of own grants• Lead and coordinate site visits and regular meetings with prospective and current funders, including strict attention to detail to ensure alignment with funders’ interests and needs• Maintain and reinforce positive client-focused communications with donors, volunteers, board members, partners, and community members via social media, email, direct mail, and phone• Collaborate with executive leadership and board to coordinate development strategies and achieve financial goals• Cultivate and enhance relationships with internal and external stakeholders via events, site visits, etc.• Partner with program team leadership to identify program funding needs, analyze program performance, ensure grant alignment, and report outcomes• Plan and implement annual and special fundraising campaigns in coordination with development strategic plan using such elements as: direct mail, corporate/foundation giving, email/social media marketing, and special events• Analyze and lead implementation of new strategies to reach a broader donor base, including expansion of grant portfolio and the development of individual donor campaigns• Supervise Marketing and Events Manager and contract grant writer Show less

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  YWCA Greater Cleveland

  Jun 2014 - Sept 2014

  Manager, Grants and Donor Relations

  • Coordinate and execute all aspects of raising financial support from foundations, corporations, and government sources, including fostering relationships and developing proposals, budgets, ancillary materials, and reports• Create annual grants plan incorporating targeted and tracked grant strategies, goals, and timelines• Identify, collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate information on major donors and prospects• Oversee donor stewardship and recognition events

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  Grants Plus

  Nov 2019 - now

  As Senior Advisor, my key responsibilities include:+Serve as trusted advisor and consultant to nonprofit organizations to improve their institutional fundraising.+Ensure the delivery of excellent client service by developing and executing a customized strategy for each client.+Position clients for success through the preparation of persuasive, winning funding proposals, resulting in more than $18 million raised to date.+Conduct prospect research to identify potential funders that are aligned with clients’ missions.+Create and document company-wide standards of excellence in writing; develop and implement practices to support those standards.+Provide editing and coaching support to colleagues to ensure client products that are complete, crisp, and compelling. Show less - Fulfills Grants Plus' vision to positively impact clients and community by delivering an excellent client experience- Directly engages with clients and provides the highest level of project and engagement management to achieve client satisfaction- Contributes to writing and research projectsGrants Plus is the nation’s most trusted and experienced professional grant seeking firm. Since 2007, we’ve assisted nonprofit leaders across the country to secure over $300 million in grant funding from private, corporate, and government funders. We partner with organizations as their trusted advisors to identify funders, recommend grant strategies, and write proposals that help them elevate their grants programs and make long-term gains. Learn more at www.grantsplus.com Show less

  • Senior Advisor

    May 2022 - now

  • Engagement Strategist

    Nov 2019 - Apr 2022