Alison Costa

Experience

• 

  BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities & Easter Seals BC

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2009

  Programming Team Coordinator

  • Managed recruitment, orientation and support of new staff members and volunteers.• Worked together with two other coordinators to plan and execute an extensive three week-long orientation for a staff of 40 people.• Oversaw a six person programming team.• Provided conflict resolution support between staff, campers and parents.

• 

  Food Banks Canada

  Jan 2009 - Apr 2009

  Special Projects Coordinator

  • Worked on establishing the first national retail food and fundraising campaign.• Communicated with representatives of the food bank community across Canada to ensure successful implementation of the campaign.• Cultivated relationships with corporate partners including Loblaw Corporate Limited.• Managed logistics of the campaign such as updates to the various stakeholders, information packages, etc.

• 

  War Child Canada

  May 2010 - Jun 2011

  Resource Development Intern

  • Researched and developed various campaign ideas for university groups fundraising for the organization across Canada.• Worked on data input in the Raisers Edge database.

• 

  Waves of Hope

  Jan 2011 - Aug 2011

  Project Development Coordinator

  • Co-designed a clean water project for the community of El Manzano Uno, Nicaragua.• Facilitated a comprehensive needs assessment process with community members to ensure the development of a strong program.• Approached various organizations for project funding.

• 

  The Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation

  Aug 2011 - Apr 2013

  Community Development Manager

  Developed funding calls, application and reporting templates, and managed incoming applications. Ensured proper stewardship of internal and external stakeholders, which included developing and maintaining relationships with charitable partners, corporate partners, major gift donors and volunteers.Developed and implemented new fundraising campaign initiatives.Responsible for basic bookkeeping and preparation of the financial documents for the monthly balance sheets and financial audit in collaboration with the accountant.Main communication contact for the Board of Directors and responsible for the preparation of Board Meeting agendas and all Board documents.Responsible for the implementation of the Income Manager database in the MPCF system.Developed and lead volunteer information sessions and maintained the MPCF volunteer database.Participation in the rebranding of MPCF, including the development of a new website. Show less

• 

  Pueblito Canada

  Apr 2013 - Dec 2013

  Project Coordinator

  Worked with partner organization FADCANIC (Fundación para la Autonomía y el Desarrollo de la Costa Atlántica) to improve access and quality of primary education in 13 indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Assisted with project reporting including: workshop reports, project Quarterly Reports, the DFATD semi-annual progress report and the project Monitoring and Evaluation Report.Worked in collaboration with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education (MINED), Wildlife Conservation Society, and the local government to develop an awareness raising campaign to engage youth in local environmental issues. Coordinated the logistics of a week-long international educational and cultural exchange with 5 Canadian teachers and 14 Nicaraguan teachers.Collaboratively developed a comprehensive Preschool Teacher’s Manual based on MINED’s curriculum guidelines consisting of 8 subject areas over the span of 40 weeks (one school year).Administered English and Spanish reading tests to 1st and 2nd grade students and subsequently developed a Reading Group to assist children in indigenous communities with their reading skills.Developed and facilitated teacher and parent capacitation workshops. Topics included: Positive Classroom Management, Setting Objectives in Lesson Plans, Violence and Discipline, and Parent Teacher Relations. Show less

• 

  The Global Poverty Project

  Jan 2015 - Jun 2015

  Campaign Officer, Live Below the Line (Canada)

  Managed relationships with charity partners, participants and various stakeholders associated with the Live Below the Line Campaign. Used grassroots marketing tactics to promote the campaign nationally. Managed the Live Below the Line social media accounts to further the reach of the campaign.

• 

  The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada

  Mar 2016 - May 2018

  Director of Programme Advancement

  Developed an overall organization strategic funding plan including how to grow the program and sustainably maintain it.Wrote and designed a variety of grant applications for government and foundation grants. Managed all donors including corporate donors, long-time individual annual donor, and event sponsors.Developed new relationships and maintained long-term partnerships.Organized annual fundraising events.

• 

  The Rumie Initiative

  May 2018 - Jan 2021

  Communications Manager

  Supporting the Revenue Generation Cycle by completing award applications, funding applications, donor reports, and applying for speaking slots at relevant conferences, Designed and implemented two brand new fundraising campaigns resulting in diversifying donors and establishing new partnerships. Developing organizational branding and language guidelines with clear and simplified language to ensure all team members are consistent in delivering the Rumie message.Supported the organization’s social media strategy and social engagement.Creation of written content for marketing collateral, organizational announcements, newsletters, and promotional videos. Show less

• 

  Learning Buddies Network

  Sept 2020 - Jul 2021

  Marketing & Funding Manager

  - Leading the communications team (8 direct reports) in creating a marketing and communications strategy. - Implementing a new digital marketing strategy including growing social media presence, establishing a regular content marketing schedule, and growing the email marketing process.- Supporting the fundraising strategy and maintaining donor relationships.

• 

  Canadian Paralympic Committee

  Mar 2021 - now

  Manager, Donor Experience