Melissa J. Martinez, CFRE

Experience

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  Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA

  Nov 1999 - May 2004

  Development Coordinator

  Oversaw entire fund development program for a non-profit animal welfare organization located in the Inland Empire area with a $3.5 million annual operating budget. Increased overall fundraising gross revenue by 161% from $254,500 in 2001 to $410,000 in 2003. Managed one development support staff.• Coordinated and executed major events, including the “Dog Leg Classic” golf tournament ($23,000 net); “Glow Ball” golf tournament ($4,300 net); the creation of a new Dog Walk event ($23,500 net); and Spay Day USA.• Managed the direct mail program including copy, creative design, and photography resulting in a 34% increase of net income in one year: $42,274 (2001) to $56,744 (2002).• Administered and executed grant research and proposal writing resulting in new gifts ranging from $1,000 to $56,000.• Supervised and trained two data entry clerks. Oversaw coding of gifts and ensured proper reporting and acknowledgement of gifts. Ran all Denari gift and financial analysis reports.• Managed the production of a quarterly newsletter mailed to over 8,000 constituents.• Coordinated media relations efforts, including writing and submitting press releases to newspapers, radio stations and chambers of commerce as well as producing a monthly local-access cable show.• Produced a monthly “HumanE-newsletter” to over 300 subscribers. Show less

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  Cornelia Connelly School

  Aug 2004 - Feb 2005

  Director of Special Events & Parent Relations

  Responsible for the coordination and execution of two major special events, as well as management of the Parents Association functions for a private, Catholic all-girls high school, with a fundraising budget of $125,000.• Planned and executed the annual Golf Classic and Spa Day event ($53,000 net) and the annual “Galaxy of Stars” Benefit.• Directed and supervised students and the Parents Association volunteers on events and minor fundraisers: Hospitality, New Families Welcome Dinner, Family Celebration Day, Grandparents Day, Faculty/Staff Christmas Party, Mother-Daugher Tea, Senior Family Dinner, Gift Wrap / Cookie Dough Fundraiser, Poinsettia Fundraiser, Spiritwear Sales. Show less

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  St. Joseph Hospital

  Feb 2005 - Jun 2015

  Managed the stewardship and recognition activities of major donors, $10,000 and above, for the foundation department of a non-profit community hospital with an annual fundraising goal of $6.825M.• • Directed all donor stewardship activities, including monthly birthday cards, Thanksgiving cards, holiday gifts, staff and volunteer thank you call programs, acknowledgment letters from the CEO, and note cards from department leaders.• Developed and launched new stewardship touch points, including donor impact reports and first-time donor note cards.• Developed and managed the Foundation Family “Hospitality” program, a 24/7 concierge program for major hospital donors.• Managed Corporate Partners giving society which resulted in a 48% increase in donors from 95 (2014) to 141 (2015).• Cultivated, solicited and provided stewardship to a portfolio of over 30 individual and corporate donors and prospects (over $95,000 secured in FY15) and collaborated in moves management strategies.• Developed and managed an annual appeal to upgrade donors on the cumulative giving display (over $11,000 secured in FY15 and over $68,500 secured between FY13-FY15).• Managed comprehensive list of naming opportunities and donor recognition proposals, including ordering and installation of donor plaques, signage, and recognition tracking.• Development and oversight of donor recognition related policies and procedures.• Management and administration of annual donor relations budget.• Provided leadership and training to Campaign/Major Gifts Assistant and Planned Giving Assistant.• Expert in Blackbaud® Raiser’s Edge donor database program; including recording actions, creating and running queries and exports, producing reports and documenting recognition. Show less • Coordinated all stewardship activities, including monthly birthday cards, Thanksgiving cards and holiday gifts.• Coordinated naming opportunity and donor proposals including ordering and installation of donor plaques, signage, and recognition tracking in accordance with the $20 Million Cancer Center campaign (6/05 –12/07) and the $18 Million Comprehensive campaign (7/09 – 12/14). • Facilitated regular updates of seven donor recognition displays (Donor Wall of Honor, Baby Hall of Fame, Memorial Wall, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Rhythms of the Heart, and Cancer Center).• Coordinated monthly volunteer and staff “thank you call” programs.• Provided leadership and training to Campaign/Major Gifts Assistant. Show less • Provided support to Campaign Director, including coordination of meetings, correspondence, reports, mailing lists, and presentation materials.• Executed cultivation and recognition events for major donors, including groundbreaking, topping out, celebrations, hospital "dinners & tours", and private events at the homes of physicians and community leaders.• Coordinated naming opportunity and donor proposals in accordance with the $20 Million Cancer Center campaign (6/05 –12/07) and the $20 Million Patient Care Center campaign (2/05 – 6/05).• Coordinated monthly volunteer “thank you call” program. Show less

  • Donor Relations Manager

    Oct 2009 - Jun 2015

  • Development Coordinator II, Donor Relations

    Sept 2007 - Oct 2009

  • Development Coordinator, Capital Campaign/Major Gifts

    Feb 2005 - Sept 2007
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  Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

  Jun 2015 - Jan 2016

  Director of Development

  Responsible for directing the daily internal operations of the Development Department including developing and implementing a strategy for growing the base of individual supporters, planning and logistical aspects of all signature special events and meeting increased revenue goals to support the organizations strategic initiatives with an annual fundraising goal of $5.4M.• Provided direct supervision of development staff (4): Database Administrator; Development Coordinator; Development Assistant, AmeriCorps Volunteer; Data Entry Clerk; as well as student interns and department volunteers. • Directed staff and volunteers in alignment with the Benevon® long-term sustainable fundraising model. Included leading “Harvesting Hope” cultivation tours to prospective donors, providing training to volunteer “Ambassadors,” and guiding efforts of the annual “Serving Hope” Breakfast fundraising event to secure one-time gifts and multi-year pledges.• Managed a portfolio consisting of annual ($1,000 - $9,999), monthly (“Harvest Club”), and multi-year giving (“Giving Hope Society”) donors.• In collaboration with the “Harvesters” women’s auxiliary, provided staff direction and support to Harvesters Fashion Show & Luncheon event which resulted in a 40% increase in net income: $470,000 (2014) to $675,000 (2015); 400 attendees.• Planned and directed “No Lunch” Lunch signature event which resulted in a 37% increase: $93,300 (2014) to $127,600 (2015); 340 attendees.• Collaborated with third-party vendor and Director of Marketing on implementing annual direct mail program ($1.3M).• Management and oversight of department budget Show less

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  Irvine Valley College Foundation

  Apr 2016 - Nov 2016

  Director of Annual Giving and Development Services

  In collaboration with senior leadership, provided development, strategic execution, and management of a comprehensive annual giving program, including the coordination and oversight of supporting initiatives in the areas of development services and donor relations.

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  California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

  Mar 2017 - Jun 2022

  Developed and implemented processes for the solicitation of leadership annual fund donors and prospective donors, $1,000 - $24,999, with an emphasis on securing support for multiple campus-wide initiatives. Solicitation activities are primarily focused on personal visits. Managed a portfolio to include all constituencies (alumni, parents, friends and faculty/staff) of the University. Developed strategies for personal visits that included solicitation, cultivation and/or stewardship activities.Identified matching gift donors for 36-hour “Build the Future” campaign, and solicited gifts before and during the campaign. Show less

  • Director of Development, College of Science

    Jan 2018 - Jun 2022

  • Associate Director of Leadership Annual Giving

    Mar 2017 - Jan 2018
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  California State University, Fullerton

  Jun 2022 - now

  Senior Director Of Development