Peggy Blackard, CFRE

Experience

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  Tulip Trace Council of Girl Scouts, inc

  May 1986 - May 1998

  CEO/Executive Director

  Responsible for design and implementation of the corporate planning and management system, including guiding the board of directors in goals and coordinating staff work within this framework and approved annual budgets. Directed the development of the annual operating and capital budget for personnel administration, public and community relations, and program delivery systems. Directed and gave leadership to all operations. Gained hands-on knowledge of corporate communications, special events planning, public relations strategies, crisis communication, report generation and executive interaction. Increased cash reserves from less than one month to 5.7 months during tenure. Guided and directed the development of a long range property plan, and feasibility study for the first ever capital campaign of $665,000. Increased membership to an all time high at which time the council was serving 1 our every 5 girls in the 12 county jurisdiction Successfully implemented a performance management system for all employed staff. Developed and maintained relationship with 8 United Ways and United Funds including increasing or sustaining dollar level of annual funding. Show less

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  Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2002

  Director of Development

  Coordinated a 5-person department and $3.7 million budget in planning and administering all development and financial campaigns for this large non-profit organization. Deployed expertise in grant writing, proposal design, special events planning, donor acquisition, product sales and subscription programs. Formed and launched public relations, target marketing and corporate communications. Worked closely with a PR firm to persistently enhance fundraising capabilities and brand messaging through ongoing community involvement. Personally designed and instituted a full marketing plan that increased product sales by 39% over 4 years, earning an all-time high of $3.325 million. Aggressively improved annual campaign income by 575% to over $143,000, while surpassing a $2 million capital campaign goal to reach a total of $2.3 million. Rolled out the first annual family appeal in 2001, achieving 14% more participation; exceeded dollar target by 35%. Guided a comprehensive grant program to secure over $2.7 million in first 8 months of 2002. Increased allocation and closely interacted with many regional United Way entities. Show less

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  St. Mary's Child Center

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  Director of Development

  Responsible for overseeing all development functions as the first-ever director at this high-quality early childhood educational entity. Managed 2 direct reports in organizing programs and executing activities to cultivate, solicit and handle a wide range of gifts. Extensive interaction with non-profits, including United Way. Launched a new fund development model , “Raising More Money,” that raised $244,000 at first event and over $68,000 at another 7 months later. Succeeded in increasing annual contributions by 37% to over $254,000 and grant income by 57% to $148,121 in only 1 year. Researched, wrote and delivered the first Case Statement for this organization. Show less

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  Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc

  Jan 2005 - Aug 2013

  Chief Advancement Officer

  In charge of managing all aspects of fundraising, major gift acquisition, events planning, volunteer deployment and media relations for this leading non-profit provider of hunger relief services to 21 Indiana counties. Train and supervise 4 direct report managers, 15 staff and annual $8.5 million departmental budget. Utilize seasoned abilities in developing and launching critical marketing programs, communications materials and partnership building efforts. Track and monitor a variety of mission-critical performance metrics in media coverage, donor activities and social media presence. Work closely with executives, managers and professionals through the entire project lifecycle. Accountability for internal and external stakeholder communications. Active member of the Senior Management Team. Ensure alignment between departments and fundraising efforts. Successfully completed a $11.2 million capital campaign ahead of schedule with an outside consulting firm, securing a total of $12.3 million. Dramatically expanded the donor base from 8,000 to 100,000 accounts, donors from 3,489 to 58,019 and volunteers from 7,018 to 17,858 during tenure. Designed and introduced the first fund development strategic plan and yearly plan of work, including a departmental operating budget, new processes & procedures and the first-ever gift acceptance policy. Established a new volunteer oversight structure with all operating policies to support rapid growth. Show less

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  Rotary Club of Indianapolis

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2013

  President
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  American Cancer Society

  Jan 2014 - Jul 2020

  Senior Director Corporate Relations

  Leads the pursuit of new opportunities, directly managing and cultivating relationships, and driving involvement of account to achieve ACS mission and income efforts. Accountable for significant income targets. Influence the strategic implementation of local, nationwide, and global initiatives across corporate, social an public sectors. Ensure goal achievement through the effective leadership and management of diverse staff, and the engagement and mobilization of volunteers.