Heather McGraw Murtha

**** ******* **** *****

Raleigh, North Carolina 27610

Cell: 443-***-****

E-Mail: tabk21@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Profile

First Candle

August 2002 ? August 2010

Baltimore, Maryland

Development & Special Events Manager

Major Responsibilities:

Special Events, Fundraising and Memorial Funds

?Served as lead contact for all First Candle branded events, including local events from various states across the U.S. where First Candle was deemed the beneficiary of funds.

?From July 2008 to October 2009, under my sole management, over 30 events brought the organization $405,000 in revenue.

?Managed organization's flagship event, The First Candle Charity Gala held in New York City. Duties included:

Administered assignments and tasks to event committee, comprised of stakeholders and board members, and supervised said committee in cooperation with senior staff

Aggressive financial re-structuring and budgeting to show positive rate of return

Worked in tandem with Board of Directors and stakeholders to secure large benefactors and sponsors of event

Prepared copy for evening's 30-plus page program which included: letters from the President of the United States, several state Senators, state Representatives, as well as other distinguished dignitaries

Management and oversight of all solicitation, procurement, and post-event follow up of both silent and live auction items

Administered all day-of event run of show logistics

Directed all Gala follow up to include: dissemination of donor thank you letters, sponsor recognition, auction results, rate of return, etc.

The 2009 Windflower Ball netted $90,000

?Directed and served as exclusive point of contact for any and all fundraisers held nationwide which designated First Candle beneficiary of the proceeds. Under my singular management, from July 2008 to October 2009, over 30 special events for First Candle were executed successfully.

?As sole staff member who administered the Special Event department, duties included:

Developing a trust and rapport with the family; a most vital component;

Providing them a ?Fundraising Kit? I formed to aid them in their local fundraising efforts. The kit included:

sample budget worksheets to assist in organization of donations;

boiler-plate event press releases, which I personally distributed to each of the constituents local media outlets;

drafts of sample donation solicitation letters asking businesses or vendors for monetary support and/or sponsorships;

sample marketing fliers and brochures for advertising;

fact sheets clearly delineating my role as point of contact through each step of their event, and;

a draft final report to funders, attendees and key sponsors, which included a final budget summarizing revenue and expenses, media coverage, and highlighting key points of the event.

?Provided exclusive management of organization's Memorial Fund program. Since the program's inception in 2003 I grew the fund portfolio to over 96 funds. Memorial Funds were initially established by bereaved parents and are perpetuated by ongoing, yearly donations from an individual or group of individuals.

Corporate Sponsorship Program

?Oversaw organization's corporate Gifts That Give program; recruited and procured companies who desired to donate a percentage of proceeds from one product or a suite of products and managed that relationship throughout the life of the contract.

?From July 2008 to October 2009, secured over 18 new corporate Gifts That Give partners.

?Created and launched Corporate Giving Structure. Accountable for recruiting and following up with over 17 new and/or potentially interested corporate partners.

Domestic Violence Center of Howard County

October 2000 ? August 2002

Columbia, Maryland

Administrative Assistant

?Accompanied victims to court as a victim advocate.

?Managed New Behaviors male anger management program.

?Administered all day-to-day running of the office.

?Assisted with agency's legal department by photographing injuries and taking victim statements.

?Executed annual Hope Gala; served as Emcee for the evening.

?Other office duties as assigned.

Renaissance Harborplace Hotel

January 1999 ? October 1999

Baltimore, Maryland

Concierge

?Served a wide variety of guests from all over the world.

?Recommended restaurants and encouraged guests to experience many of Baltimore's attractions.

?Worked in the Club Lounge, which is only available to the highest paying guests. The skills necessary included overseeing daily cocktail hour, as well as complimentary breakfast available to only those guests on the 12th floor.

?Handled all food requisitions and orders.

?Became extremely well familiarized with the many different, various haunts of Baltimore City.

Courtyard by Marriott

December 1997 ? June 1998

Columbia, Maryland

Front Desk Associate

?Checked all guests in and out to the hotel upon arrival and departure

?Closed out evening shift, allowing overnight staff to begin work easily and seamlessly

?Diplomatically and professionally handled guests who were disturbed with any issue regarding their room, the property's lack of a full-service restaurant or room service, always finding a solution that benefitted all involved.

Volunteer Affiliations

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Maryland

*References available upon request.

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