Laurel Amabile, CFRE

Experience

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  The Mountain Retreat & Learning Centers (MRLCs)

  Jul 2000 - Jun 2004

  Leadership Development Program Staff

  Active member of the faculty teams for four Mountain Schools for Congregational Leadership, two Leadership Schools for Religious Educators, and one Leadership School for Young Adults. Year-round planning processes, with faculty recruitment, training, and meetings, onsite coordination.Facilitated small group process for dozens of leadership school participants.Conducted research of leadership development and volunteer management trends, generating content for leadership school handbooks, online web-based training workshops, and a comprehensive list of leadership resources. Show less

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  Unitarian Universalist Association

  Jul 2005 - May 2013

  Director, Annual Program Fund

  Raised over $6 million annually and over $47 million for the organization's annual operating budget. UUA's Annual Program Fund: http://uua.org/giving/apf/Contributed to the planning and execution of a capital campaign that raised over $50 million.Directed and trained a team of over 20 volunteers for annual solicitation and cultivation efforts.Traveled throughout the U.S. building relationships with organizational leaders, key constituent groups, and individual donors in over 1,040 congregations, with a focus on strengthening stewardship strategies and commitment to effective fundraising practices.Created stewardship and fundraising workshops, educational materials, and online resources: http://uua.org/finance/fundraising/generosity/Extensive written, oral, and web-based communication and resource development for the purpose of advocating healthy financial development and stewardship practices.Promoted generous giving, effective stewardship, and healthy financial development through public speaking, workshops, and Giving Speaks: http://givingspeaks.com Show less

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  Giving Speaks

  Mar 2013 - Sept 2019

  Development, Fundraising & Stewardship Consultant

  Independent consultation for organizations in the realms of:-Stewardship and Fundraising -Leadership Development -Volunteer Management Services Provided:-Development program and systems assessments-Guidance in written cases for support, fundraising appeals, annual reports, newsletters and website content.-Training and educational programs and resources for stewardship and fundraising volunteers.-Workshop leader, presenter, and public speaker available for kicking off annual stewardship campaigns and other events.-Strategic Visioning and Goal-setting process facilitation with boards, staff teams, and committee leaders.-Donor cultivation and communication via social mediawww.givingspeaks.com Show less

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  Maine Behavioral Healthcare

  Jul 2013 - Jun 2014

  Development & Communication Manager-Interim

  Managed the agency's fundraising and development program through annual appeals, grant-writing, legacy gifts, special events, business sponsors, family foundations and individual donors. Responsible for the agency's internal and external communications, including marketing, community outreach, website, social media, and media relations through a complex four-agency merger under the Maine Health system. Skills and Experience include:--Donor relations--cultivation and stewardship--Grant-writing--Annual funding appeals--Planned giving and donor advised funding--Corporate funding and business sponsorships--Website and social networking--Marketing material design--Print and electronic newsletters--Gift processing--Media relations, advertising, and publicity--Special events for staff and community fundraisers--United Way Campaign--Client relations --Advocacy and awareness related to mental health Show less

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  Murray Grove Retreat & Renewal Center

  Sept 2015 - Apr 2016

  Development Director-part-time consulting

  •Establish an annual development program plan for Murray Grove Retreat & Renewal Center (MCR&RC), in collaboration with MGR&RC Staff, Stewardship Committee, and Capital Campaign Committee.•Tracking all gifts and pledges received by MGR&RC, following up with donors•Donor data entry, maintenance, and updating of Endowment and planned gift records in the donor databases. •Ensuring proper acknowledgement of gifts received throughout the year, during the campaign, and duration of the services agreement.•Ongoing collaboration and communication with the MGR&RC Executive Director, Staff, Board and Committees engaged in donor contact, solicitation, and information gathering. These functions include monthly meetings of the Committees and other tele- or web-conferences, meetings, and conferences, as needed and appropriate.•Generating reports on gifts pledged, received, and planned, as needed and requested by the Executive Director, Board President, Capital Campaign and Stewardship Committees.•Training and support for those designated to access the MGR&RC Donor Database.•Generating donor reports for those assigned donor contacts, and receiving/processing the follow up notes for contacts made.•Providing support for marketing materials and donor communications relevant to the annual funding, legacy giving program, and capital funding campaign.•Following up with those who have made recurring payment plans.•Maintaining lines of communication with the UUA Office of Stewardship and Development, Regional Staff, and grant funding organizations.•Serve as an ex-officio member of the MGR&RC Capital Campaign, Stewardship and Strategic Planning Committees.www.murraygrove.org Show less

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  The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center

  Apr 2016 - Sept 2019

  Development Director

  •In close collaboration with Executive Director and Board of Trustees institutional advancement team, develop annual and long-term fundraising plans and lead the execution of the plan.•Develop the key messages and implement the communication strategy that connects The Mountain to its members, donors, friends, groups and congregations.•Establish relevant metrics and track progress towards goals. •Establish and maintain giving history and contact information for each donor.•Creatively plan and implement special events that may generate funds, friends or public awareness for The Mountain•Staff Liaison to The Mountain Board of Trustees and Mountain Endowment Board of Directors•Visit UU congregations and attend local events, connecting The Mountain with the people in the wider community.•Manage content of The Mountain’s website and social media communications, monitoring website performance and regularly update calendar and content as well as links to partner organizations. •Coordinate the activities of the Mountain Movers outreach team and Mountain Stewards team, working in collaboration with Institutional Advancement Team of the Mountain Board. Show less

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  American Red Cross

  Sept 2019 - now

  I serve the American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Region, based in our Western NC Chapter in Asheville (2019-2024) and now based in the Piedmont Triad Chapter in Greensboro, focused on stewarding our individual and foundation donors from Western NC across to the Piedmont Triad and Charlotte Metro areas.

  • Gift Planning Officer

    Sept 2024 - now

  • Regional Philanthropy Officer

    Sept 2019 - Sept 2024