Sandra Nelson, CFRE

Experience

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  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

  Jan 1990 - Jan 2000

  Director of Development and Communication

  1996/2000: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation • Trained in planned giving and investment management of endowed funds.• Developed and encouraged gifts to Presbyterian Church (USA) entities• Provided technical expertise about charitable giving through planned giving instruments.• Trained committees in the essential elements of development and responsible management of endowments and/or permanent funds1993/1996: Presbytery of Chicago Director of Development & Communications• Provided leadership to the 127 congregations in the Presbytery of Chicago in their efforts to promote mission and stewardship. Particular emphasis and focus in annual giving, capital campaigns and endowment building initiatives.• Coordinated the development and communication plans and programs to increase funding and support for denominational programs and mission within the Presbytery of Chicago and beyond.• Arranged and managed the writing and production of all interpretive communication materials for the Presbytery of Chicago; electronic, written and video.• Created the Financial Development Cabinet of the Presbytery of Chicago and trained a cadre of volunteers to execute the development plan. 1990/1993: Presbytery of Chicago Area Counselor The Bicentennial Fund• Structured and directed the Presbytery of Chicago's Bicentennial Fund Capital Campaign, a part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) national initiative with a goal of $150 million dollars.• Trained committee members in fund raising techniques and assisting 127 Chicago area congregations with their individual campaigns.• Implemented and developed a Special Gifts Program for the Presbytery.• Managed the creation of the interpre¬tive communications specific to the Chicago portion of the national campaign; both written and video. Show less

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  THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST

  Jan 2000 - Jun 2001

  Director of Donor Services

  Chicago region’s community foundation that makes grants to organizations working to improve the quality of life of people in metro Chicago.Director of Donor ServicesResponsible for the management of the donor advised fund program both individual and group funds. • Established a department of donor services within the External Relations Division.• Secured new gifts in excess of $30M in fiscal 1999/2000.• Implemented a donor education program that developed donor understanding of community needs and the role of charitable giving. Show less

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  Advocate Charitable Foundation

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2004

  Vice President Foundation, Corporate and Government Relations

  Responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of relationships with foundation, corporate, organization and government entities to ensure philanthropic support for the Advocate Health Care System of Hospitals.Responsible for the development, coordination, and solicitation of fundable proposals and the monitoring of funded projects.Responsible for the development of programs at a system initiative and integration level in cooperation with national funders to attract major grants. Show less

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  Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare

  Aug 2004 - Dec 2013

  President Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation

  Responsible for the development of a comprehensive strategic and operational plan to optimize the giving potential of EMH constituents and prospective donors. Responsible for moving the organization from event based fund raising to a proactive and robust annual, major, and planned gift program. Total community donor count in 2004, 204 individuals. Total donor count 2013, 3500+ individuals.Developed, implemented and completed successful capital campaign to build a new replacement hospital. Show less

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  SHN Advisors

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2020

  Principal
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  Concordia University Chicago

  Jan 2015 - Jun 2020

  Vice President - Foundation
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  Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

  Jun 2020 - now

  Vice President for Advancement