PAMELA B. COUSE
***********@*****.*** Clearwater, FL 678-***-****
OVERVIEW OF SKILLS
High energy, positive professional with many years of nonprofit management and development experience in education, arts, and social services agencies.
Hands-on experience in developing and implementing strategic initiatives and consulting with businesses to assist in developing and implementing Corporate Social Responsibility strategies for community service projects, corporate citizenship, and to promote philanthropic activities.
Solid track record of writing and presenting corporate proposals, cultivating donors, creating special events, and project management.
Highly effective relationship building abilities, communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with power to persuade. Excellent organizational skills.
Goal oriented and self-motivated, excels in fast-paced environments and capable of working both independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment. Works smart, not just hard.
Able to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
FREELANCE WRITER, EDITOR, & FUNDRAISER July 2014 – present
Research, write, and edit high quality news and feature articles, press releases, proposals, blogs, newsletters, brochures, speeches, presentations, website copy, and more. Familiar with SEO and social media, I am capable of writing about most any topic - whether it's 25 or 2,000 words long. Because of my eye for detail and strong spelling and grammar skills, my clients call me “The Grammar Police.” Clients include, but not limited to: DL Public Relations, Casey Writes LLC, Black Raven Media, and SLA, Inc.
THE KIMBERLY HOME – Director of Development August 2016 – May 2018
Created and managed Development Department's operating budget and annual forecast.
Raised a record-breaking $75,000 from 2017 gala (vs. $23,000) and raised an all-time high of $185,000 in year-end donations (vs. $66,000). Added more than 75 new donors in 2017.
Raised significant funds through city, county, corporate, and foundation grant proposals, events, and annual and major donors. Met with local and national businesses to create sponsorship funding plans.
Wrote all postal and email communication, event scripts, grant proposals, newsletters; created marketing and development pieces. Oversaw direct mail, email, and telephone campaigns. Maintained schedule of solicitations and relationship with third-party mail-house.
Created events to cultivate current and potential donors and supporters.
Represent The Kimberly Home at community functions.
Constantly reviewed and analyzed data to develop future plans.
ATLANTA INTOWN THEATRE PARTNERSHIP – Executive Director/CEO July 2013 – July 2014
Moved to Florida at close of one-year contract.
Managed newly formed consortium of 5 small- to medium-sized theatres.
Created and implemented detailed marketing and development plans.
Successful in converting ticket buyers to donors; met with area businesses for funding.
Created quarterly events to cultivate relationships with current and potential donors.
Wrote monthly e-newsletters; wrote copy for and designed website; created event invitations, and marketing and development brochures.
REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, MAJURO August 2012 – June 2013
(One-year teaching contract)
College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) – Adjunct Instructor, Art 101
Assumption K-12 School – Teacher, Freshman English
Created syllabus and designed coursework for two sections of art classes: taught basic techniques, art history, and encouraged application and development of artistic abilities of students.
Managed student mural art project on campus.
Honed the English writing and reading skills of 22 Marshallese teenagers. Created syllabus and
designed homework and tests. Taught vocabulary, grammar, poetry writing, etc.
Learned to speak conversational Marshallese.
GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING – Major Gifts Officer October 2010 – April 2012
Identified, cultivated, and solicited potential and current donors state-wide.
Wrote grant proposals, direct mail, event invitations.
Produced first ever black-tie gala, honoring original documentary Margaret Mitchell: American
Rebel. Created second event in Macon, GA. Raised more than $200,000 total.
Wrote and presented $150,000 corporate grant proposal to AGL for original on-air program.
Invited to lead national webinar on writing successful grant proposals: “Outcomes in the Arts”.
Directed three state Advisory Councils located in Augusta, Savannah, and Macon. Set up quarterly
meetings, monthly updates, trained members in cultivation and fundraising, created special
events in each area.
Project leader with eight development directors from stations in five states. Led quarterly conference calls, created agendas, wrote and distributed grant proposal templates, and wrote appropriate documents for Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding.
Performed as on-air talent for television and radio membership drives.
THE ATLANTA OPERA – Major Gifts Officer November 2007 – June 2010
Cultivated and solicited 250 major donors ($1,000+) and 60 members of the Society for Artistic
Excellence ($20,000+). Successful in converting season ticket holders to major donors.
Created strategic plan for identifying and cultivating major gift and endowment prospects.
Wrote fundraising materials for Major Gifts Department: brochures, pledge forms, direct mail
letters, quarterly newsletters, etc. “Ghost writer” for Development Director.
EDUCATION/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Board Member - 7 Stages Theatre Atlanta, Georgia 2010 – 2014
Board President - Drew Ridge Condominiums Clearwater, Florida 2014 – 2016
Board Member - Animal Fairy Charities Franklin, WI 2014 – present
Marquette University and University of Minnesota Journalism and Art
Continuing education through seminars, webinars, classes, and conferences.