Events, Fundraising & Donor Relations

Cindy Knight

Marina del Rey, CA • 310-***-**** • ad5u1p@r.postjobfree.com

Skills

Seasoned fundraiser and events director with years of success bringing events to life, from idea to realization. From Fortune 500 companies, to start-ups, I’ve worn many hats and bring confidence, resourcefulness, and multi-tasking ability -- all with extraordinary people skills – to every position I hold. Raising hundreds of thousands each school year. Excited to bring passion, creativity, and leadership to my next professional adventure.

• Loyalty. Team player and collaborator

• Dedication. Always exhibiting behavior that supports mission, vision, and values

• Word geek. Strong verbal, written, and proofreading skills

• Versatility. Collaborative and supportive

Professional Summary

January 2014-December 2023

Community Coordinator Piper Preschool, Santa Monica, CA Responsible for raising funds and event planning annually.

• Implemented all phases of events including marketing, budget management, location, vendors, staffing and volunteers, donors, ticket sales, guest list, and post-event number crunching.

• Solicited parents to participate in the annual Piper Fund and host party book fundraising events. Party Book fundraising effort involves soliciting parties hosted by Piper families. Management and tracking of parties continued throughout the school year.

• Oversight of The Piper Fund, an ongoing fund dedicated to campus upgrades and other initiatives.

• As project manager, imagined and executed twelve annual fundraisers by securing the venue, music, menu, theme, décor, ticket sales and guest list, live and silent auction, and additional vendors as needed. Event themes include The Big Easy, 1920s, and Moroccan Nights.

• Oversight of bi-weekly meetings with volunteer committee.

• Organized and communicated details for Parent Orientations and Back to School Night.

• Arranged annual CPR trainings for staff, parents, and nannies.

• Provided necessary A/V, wine, and food for all guest speaker events. Spring 2009-Fall 2014

Parent Liaison Cassidy Preschool, Santa Monica, CA

• Responsible for introducing and executing annual fundraising efforts to the parent community, including Party Book, The Giving Tree fund, and the annual fundraiser.

• Formed and lead volunteer committees which supported holiday events at the preschool, hosts for Party Book, and volunteers in support of the annual fundraiser.

• Coordinated donation drives for local non-profits including Baby2Baby, GOOD+, and the Westside Children’s Center. Conducted the annual Thanksgiving food drive, holiday gift drive, and various other efforts in support of legitimate local causes. Fall 2006-Spring 2009

Stay-At-Home-Mom Marina del Rey, CA

• As creator, caretaker, and nurturer of a new human, I was happily required to be of sound body, unselfish mind, and big heart.

Winter 2004-Fall 2006

Copywriter Image Entertainment, Chatsworth, CA

• Entertainment copywriting and proofreading for packaging and marketing for a wide variety of DVD content including documentaries and comedy specials. Spring 1998-Fall 2005

Copywriter Playboy Entertainment, Beverly Hills, CA

• Collaborated with marketing, graphic designers, and distribution to deliver eye-catching marketing concepts for magazine advertisements and DVD packaging.

• Copywriting and proofreading for all written materials before they go to the public including taglines, magazine ads, and packaging.

• Assisted on-site for corporate events including guest list oversight and celebrity wrangling at the Playboy Mansion.

Other

U.S. Bancorp Public Relations Specialist: Media Training, Speech Writing, Press Releases, Portland, Oregon

Catering Assistant/Manager Jake’s Famous Crawfish, a McCormick and Schmick’s property, Portland, Oregon

The Downtowner (weekly magazine) Freelance Writing & Proofreading Author of Weekly Column, Fine Homes & Gardens, Portland, Oregon

Conde Nast, House & Garden magazine Proofreader, Copywriter, Photo Assistant, New York City

Volunteer Activities

Shatterproof Celebrating recovery, honoring lost love ones, and working together to end the addiction crisis.

Feed the Streets A community-based mutual aid organization that collects donated food, hygiene products, clothing, and educational items for hand-to-hand distribution on LA’s skid row and Macarthur Park.

Christmas Toy & Clothing Drive On Christmas morning, volunteers sort donations and travel to the Children’s hospital to distribute toys and then visit LA’s skid row to provide hygiene items and clothing to the homeless.

Education

BA in Journalism Keene State College; Keene, NH • Worked as a reporter for the KSC newspaper.

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