Sarah Blain Chaplin

Experience

• 

  Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

  Oct 2004 - May 2007

  Individual Giving Officer

  Responsible for soliciting annual funds from individual donors and community and private foundations; managing donor benefit fulfillment and special events; and cultivating relationships with foundation officers and donors at all giving levels.

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  Guthrie Theater

  May 2007 - Sept 2011

  Associate Director of Individual Giving

  Responsible for overseeing individual annual giving through the Tyrone Guthrie Circle (gifts of $2,000 and above) and the Community Giving Campaign, with an annual goal of nearly $2 million.

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  The Playwrights' Center

  Sept 2011 - Aug 2014

  Development Manager

  Responsible for managing individual giving, special events, board engagement, and identifying and securing new institutional funding.

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  Minnesota Orchestra

  Aug 2014 - Mar 2023

  Oversaw the organization's $80 million major gift campaign, driving strategy, execution, and coordination across teams to achieve fundraising objectives. Collaborated with the CEO, VP of Advancement, campaign consultants, and a 36-member Campaign Steering Committee to develop and implement a comprehensive campaign strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Led the creation of key campaign materials, including the case statement, campaign brochure, video, and presentation deck for funding and naming opportunities. Personally solicited and provided strategic counsel for six- and seven-figure gifts, securing high-impact contributions. Supervised a campaign specialist and provided training, resources and mentorship for the major gift team. Exceeded first-year campaign goals by raising over $33M in the initial 12 months, driving significant momentum for the campaign's long-term success. Show less

  • Campaign Director

    Jan 2021 - Mar 2023

  • Director Of Individual Giving

    Aug 2014 - Jan 2021
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  Children's Cancer Research Fund

  Mar 2023 - Jan 2025

  Lead the organization's major gift program, driving strategy and securing philanthropic support from high-capacity donors ($25,000+). Oversee and optimize the mid-level program, bringing structure, best practices, and a focus on long-term donor cultivation. Rebuild the organization's planned giving program, developing new materials, outreach and strategies for securing new planned gift commitments. Partner with pediatric cancer researchers at the University of MN and leading institutions nationwide to engage donors, develop funding proposals, and secure support for high-impact research projects. Show less

  • Associate Director, Major & Planned Gifts

    Jan 2024 - Jan 2025

  • Senior Development Officer

    Mar 2023 - Jan 2024
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  University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management

  Jan 2025 - now

  Director of Development