Grant Writer Development Specialist

EFSTRATIOS (STAN) KONTOGIANNIS

**W **th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Home: 203-***-**** / Email: **********@*******.***

SUMMARY AND PROFILE

OBJECTIVE

Senior Communication and Development Specialist looking for rewarding and challenging position in a dynamic and growing company to utilize my creative talents, innovative capabilities, and a results oriented attitude.

PROFILE

Dynamic, visionary executive with over 20 years of extensive success. Strengths include public relations, cultivation and solicitation of individual/corporate gifts, long range/strategic planning, vision, leadership, organizational growth, client support services, problem solving, financial analysis, strategic sales planning, effective oral/written communication and personal presentation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Boys Town

Director of Regional Philanthropy, Omaha, NE

June 2014-Present

The Regional Philanthropy Officer manages relationships with major donor prospects that have the ability to make gifts at or above $10,000. Also develop and implement strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of donor prospects and move prospects through all phases of the process including identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding. Also assist in supporting our site offices in Nevada and Iowa.

Established a $2 million endowment from an annual donor

Opened numerous gift annuities over $100,000 each (annual donors)

Closed multiple Planned Gifts one in the amount of $250,000 others confirmed with amount not revealed.

One Planned Gift in the millions plus annual donor in the range of $50,000-$300,000

Raised funds for the Boys Town National Research Hospital Campaign for medical research & equipment $100 million.

Established an endowment through a Harley bike ride annual event in Cedar Rapids, IA for the Boys Town National Hotline (suicide prevention)

Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN), Manchester, CT

Senior Development Officer

August 2008- June 2014

Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN)

Corporate & Foundation Relations Officer

Work with the Foundation Board of Trustees, ECHN administration and committees to promote the overall philanthropic mission of ECHN raising over $3M through major gifts, corporate major gifts, event sponsorship annual appeals, cause-related marketing, third party and special events. Coordinate/research grants for the hospital (private, state and federal grants).

Secured annual gifts of $100,000

$1.2 million Planned Gift

Awarded grants for $1 million, $700,000 and $540,000

Healium Ball Gala (for new cancer center) first year $375,000 second year $500,000

Wine Tasting event raised $45,000

Capital Campaign for the remodel of the Behavioral Health Department with the BACH group.

Golf tournament raised $80,000

Founded the Business Alliance for Community Health (BACH) to secure corporate support and promote the hospital for their workers and families. Raised $1 million in three years,

Chapel Haven, Inc. (position was eliminated), New Haven, CT

Director of Admissions

August 2007 - June 2008

Reviewed all admission materials for prospective students and conducted both interviews and tours. Worked closely with school districts and educational consultants. Represented Chapel Haven at both local and national conferences (position was eliminated due to budget restraints).

Easter Seals and Goodwill Industries, New Haven, CT

Director of Development & Public Relations

August 2005 - January 2007

Worked with the President of the organization, Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and various public and private organizations/institutions to promote the mission of organizations, long range/strategic planning. Directed all special events (i.e. Fantasy of Lights: 40 day Holiday event with over 400 volunteers; Goodwill store grand openings), recruited volunteers, budgets, cultivation and solicitation of individual/corporate prospects, planned giving, directed all financial/media campaigns, grant research and writing, public and government relations, chief editor of all publications (newsletters, annual reports), private and public partnerships.

CLASP Homes, Inc. Westport, CT

Development Officer

April 2003 - August 2005

Promoted CLASP Homes’ mission to the community, local/state politicians, area chambers, corporations and foundations. Cultivated and solicited corporate/individual donors, created budgets, wrote all promotional materials, press releases and newsletters, organized special events, worked with community volunteers, research and wrote grants. Spearhead joint community projects. Founded their signature fundraising event “Taste of Westport.”

ARI of Connecticut, Inc. Stamford, CT

Director of Development

February 2001 - April 2003

Responsibilities included: Public relations, donor and volunteer cultivation in both the private and public sector, grant writing and maintaining the donor database. Directed all special events (including their 50th anniversary gala), budgets, media promotions & press releases. Supervised all fundraising campaigns. Worked closely with the Board of Directors, Friends of ARI (fundraising board) and President/CEO. Trained and assisted in program areas when necessary.

Best Buddies Program, North Haven, CT

Connecticut State Director

September 1998 - Feb.2001

Responsibilities included: Chief liaison with state/local officials, cultivating corporate and individual donors, lobbying and media relations. Coordinated special events, crisis management and the organizations Board. Financial analysis budgets and grant writer. Supervised staff, training, organizational growth, marketing and public affairs. I was tasked with totally rebuilding the program including recapturing lost state funding and private support. The program had won two recognitions one statewide and one in the City of New Haven under my leadership.

EDUCATION AND OTHER

Masters in International Relations, July 1993

Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public

Affairs - Syracuse, New York

Language Proficiency: Modern Greek

Bachelor of Arts, 1989

Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah

Dual major - Social Science/Political Science

Minor-English Literature

Modern Greek Language-Brigham Young University Language Test

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

Exemplary Leadership Award, Boys Town (2018)

2015 Regional Major Gifts Award, Boys Town, NE

Board of Directors, Manchester, Connecticut Chamber of Commerce (2010-2015)

President, Syracuse University Alumni Club of Connecticut (2006-2008);Vice President (2009-2011) ; President (2012-2015)

Commissioner, City of New Haven Council on Disabilities (2005-2010)

‘40 under 40’ Award for professional excellence and community involvement (2006)

Notre Dame High School Shepherd’s Program (2005-2009)

New Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership Center graduate (2005)

Big Brother of the Year Award-Big Brother Big Sister Organization (2005)

Director, Saint Barbara fundraising Capital Campaign ($4-5 million)

The Excellence in the Community Award (Association of Volunteer Administrators)

Helped establish the Suzanne Jovin Memorial Library and Scholarship Fund (Yale University)

Outstanding Mentor Program Award by the State of Connecticut

Year End Achiever National Award (for community relations and fundraising goals)

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