Tara McFadden

University of Calgary

Mount Royal University

University of Fredericton

EMBA Candidate 2023 / Communications Consultant / Not For Profit

Cochrane, Alberta, Canada

Thanks to a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada, and in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada will be making grants available to charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies across Canada to support the strengthening of the sector as it continues to support Canadian communities in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duties:

- Contribute to quality control and monitoring of assigned grant programs.
- Support consistent program implementation and practices and foster an understanding of grant practices and standards across program teams.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement of grant programs and practices.
- Management of a portfolio of assigned grant partnerships establishing partner relationships and interacting regularly.
- Contribute to all stages of the grant management process.
- Process requests for payment or invoices for submission and monitor financial disbursements, payment schedules and funding.
- Ensure grants processes are implemented effectively and identify challenges in projects as well as recommended adjustments.
- Support linkages between program teams to identify opportunities or concerns with cross-sector projects and to build on collaborative efforts.
- Contributes to the documentation of grant practices, internal tools, and resources.
- Monitor the granting lifecycle according to the Eligible Costing Guidelines, Risk Management principles, CRC Fundamental Principles, etc.

Canadian Red Cross

Grants Officer

Currently serving my fifth consecutive term as Town Councillor, I am honoured to serve my community and act as a voice of action for the growing Town of Cochrane and its dynamic, diverse community members.  Cochrane has an annual budget exceeding $70 million, 200+ employees, and serves one of the fastest growing communities in Canada.

Key responsibilities:
- Work with other council members to set the overall direction of the municipality through public policy and strategic planning.

- Represent Cochrane, championing concerns and issues to both internal and external stakeholders, and work with other levels of government.

- Other roles include communicating and building community, business, and personal relationships to ensure a thorough understanding of community needs, and engage with my constituents through a variety of mediums including; e-newsletters, email, personal engagements, Facebook and Twitter.

Town of Cochrane

Town Councillor

Leveraging my communications, marketing, and organizational skills to provide communications and project management support for projects.  Projects have included the development and delivery of communication, marketing, and fundraising campaigns in addition to event and project management.

Self-employed

Communications Consultant

Leading Big Hill Haven's fundraising and communications activities to support our mission to provide a safe place for women and their families and empower them to rebuild their lives by providing support services and advocacy.

Responsibilities:

- Develop and lead Big Hill Haven’s fund development strategy, including grants, fundraisers, donation programs, special events, and donor stewardship. Key successes include the CIP grant, "Cruz 4 Her", “100 for the Haven,” monthly donor program, and “Biz 4 Her” corporate sponsorship program resulting in over $300,000 in revenue to date.

- Develop and lead Big Hill Haven’s multi-media communications and engagement strategy to raise Big Hill Haven's profile as a community resource, raise the profile of domestic violence as a critical issue, and generate community and financial support for our mission. Activities include government relations, media relations, social media management, and representing Big Hill Haven as the organization's public face. Key successes include managing the website and re-branding projects, creating a high local awareness of our organization in the local media, and developing strong support with government leaders.


- Provide support to the strategic planning process, housing strategy, and the Board of Directors. Key success includes developing the 5 Year Plan and the “Haven” pilot project, Big Hill Haven’s first shelter space.

Big Hill Haven

Fund Development Officer

Buying, renewing, or refinancing? Working with the Unbeatable Mortgage Team, I am committed to combining my core values of service, communications, and integrity with the knowledge of diverse mortgage products and services to find the best mortgage for you.

I would love to meet with you to help you achieve your goals!

UNBEATABLE MORTGAGE TEAM

Mortgage Planner

Whether you are in the market for a new home or rental property, your current mortgage is up for renewal, or you’re interested in using your home equity to realize your dreams, there are many benefits to using a professional mortgage associate. In addition to having access to multiple banks and lending institutions across Canada, this is a free service to you, and I am dedicated to finding you the best product and rate to save you money now and in the future.


- Purchases
- Pre-Approvals
- Refinances
- Second Mortgages
- Debt Consolidation
- Future Mortgage Planning


Tara McFadden, Mortgage Associate
Worry Free Mortgage
<a href="mailto:tara@worryfreemortgage.ca">tara@worryfreemortgage.ca</a>
ph: 403.374.2222
cell: 403-519-9619
fax: 403.277.8116

Worry Free Mortgage

Mortgage Associate

Leveraging my strong fundraising, communications, relationship development and project management skills, I raised funds for and promoted awareness of the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.

Key responsibilities:
- Led the communications and marketing of the organization, through local media, print and e-newsletters, social media management and advertising.  Key successes included the creation of strong media relations resulting in over 55 earned media mentions in 2014, a strong social media presence with growing metrics (Twitter & Facebook), and increased registration numbers in public programs.  Additional duties included acting as the spokesperson for the foundation including public presentations, and print, radio, and tv broadcast interviews.
- Participating in all aspects of sponsorship and fund development including grant and proposal writing.  Successes include assisting in securing over $500,000 in grants and donations, and developing and project managing the sponsorship program.  In 2015, I led the organizations first capital campaign, the Calgary to Cochrane Trail (C to C Trail) project, raising in excess of $190,000, exceeding the $100,000 goal and engaging over 800 donors.
- Community engagement that included donor management, sponsor relations and ongoing partnerships with such groups as Alberta Environment and Parks, Calgary Regional Partnership, Bow Valley College, and the Rotary Club of Cochrane, in addition to the public and other non-profits.
- Creating and managed the membership program that since it was launched in 2012 has over 200 annual members, in addition to the associated “Perk Partner” business affiliate program.
- Program development and delivery that includes such programs as the “In The Trenches” program offering affordable “basic” workshops aimed at providing key skill sets to small businesses and non-profits.
- Project management and delivery of special events including Parks Day and the Ride for the Ranch.

Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation

Community Engagement & Development Officer

Through strong stakeholder engagement, project management and communications, I implemented council policies and provided support for council during meetings.

Key Responsibilities:
- Ensured policy compliance with the municipalities Encroachment Policy and worked with residents to develop encroachment agreements.
- Researching and informing council of policy recommendations.
- Providing administrative support for council