University of Toronto - Victoria University

UPLEVELprose ~                                                        
A Professional Writing Service

Research, write and edit print and digital communications for clients across a wide and varied spectrum of sectors: Charitable (not-for-profit), Medicine, Mental Health, Higher Education, Fitness, Architecture, Vocational, Corporate Communications and so on.

As part of the research and writing process I build trusted relationships with all stakeholders, from surgeons, CEOs and Board members to patients, consumers and donors.  

AREAS OF FOCUS 
●Requests for Proposal (RFPs)				
●Letters of Inquiry
●Grant Proposals (Private/Public)
●Strategic Plans			
●Annual Reports
●Website Content/SEO						
●Academic Papers
●PR Collateral								
●Corporate Communications
●Case Studies								
●Creative Non-fiction

Project samples available at www.uplevelprose.com

UPLEVELProse

Senior Writer

Reviewed, edited, distilled and synthesized a large amount of information.
 Lead contact for Senior staff and Board during the integration 
 Tracked and managed highly confidential and sensitive information for both organizations
Created briefing reports on contracts and fiduciary matters
			✓ Reviewed, wrote and edited all documentation and triaged priority of dissemination
			✓ Successfully completed the integration within allotted budget and timeline 

Senior Writer, Fund Development, Mid-Toronto Community Services/Dixon Hall, Toronto, ON  		4/2008 - 10/2011
Wrote and produced all fundraising materials including grants, evaluation matrices, budgets and strategic plans with realistic timelines and goals.
Researched every and all funding opportunities 
Wrote letters of intent, grant proposals, direct mail and solicitation letters to fund a variety of programs and services for youth, adults and seniors
Created collateral materials such as invitations, newsletters, annual reports, etc.
Wrote all reporting documents and tracked and maintained spreadsheets for all funding sources
			✓ Raised $250,000 for programs and services 
			✓ Secured $30,000 for a social enterprise start-up
			✓ Secured $25,000 for new furniture and upgrades

Dixon Hall

Senior Manager, Integration, Mid-Toronto Community Services/Dixon Hall, Toronto, ON

Researched, wrote and produced all fundraising materials including grants, evaluation matrices, budgets and strategic plans. Wrote letters of intent, grant proposals, direct mail and solicitation letters to fund a variety of programs and services for youth, adults and seniors. Created collateral materials such as invitations, newsletters, annual reports, and so on. Tracked and maintained all reporting data.
			✓ Raised $250,000 for programs and services 
			✓ Secured $30,000 for a social enterprise start-up
			✓ Secured $25,000 for new furniture and upgrades

Senior Writer, Fund Development, Mid-Toronto Community Services/Dixon Hall

Wrote elevator pitches, ask scripts, comprehensive organizational fact sheets and other documents to raise funds for continuing education for adults struggling with mental health issues and their families.
Developed a comprehensive fundraising strategy and created all supporting documents for an annual fund, major and corporate giving, grant submissions and special events. Wrote and produced materials and evaluation matrices for the Opportunity Fund—a grant distribution program for tenants.
 ✓ Reviewed grant applications and awarded small continuing education grants to tenants 
 ✓ Wrote, produced and facilitated focus groups on programmatic continuous improvement

Mainstay Housing

Senior Writer, Program and Fund Development

Created, implemented and evaluated the “Camp is Achievable” program and distributed $140,000 in ‘campership’ awards for children with developmental disabilities. Managed a yearly 5K run with celebrity guests and over 800 participants.
Developed a comprehensive fundraising strategy and created all supporting documents for an annual fund, major and corporate giving, including: writing grant submissions, letters of intent, funding reports and stewardship collateral. Supervised three full-time supports and a number of consultants. Managed the annual budget, strategic plans, goals and objectives. Developed and stewarded relationships with all constituents of the organization including, volunteers, donors, community organizations, sponsors and the Board of Directors.
 ✓  Raised $100K for operational and programmatic support

The Achievable Foundation

Executive Director

Solicited private support for the Chancellor’s $5M discretionary fund. Coordinated strategies for fundraising, stewardship and cultivation for the Chancellor’s areas of priority. Managed 25 local prospecting and stewardship events annually. Solicited and cultivated a portfolio of annual giving prospects and donors and stewarded them toward major gifts.
 ✓ Personally responsible for raising $60K in individual $1,500 gifts per year
✓ Secured notable speakers for special events: Jared Diamond, Andrea Ghez, Kenny Burrell

Ursula Cafaro