The McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University

Boston College

Director of Development and Communications at Search for Common Ground

Washington Lawyers'​ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs

Director of Development

Led entire development strategy | Direct reports: 5 | Reported to: VP, Development, Marketing & Comm. | $1M budget oversight
Consistently exceed annual fundraising goals. Tripled total revenue raised within two years.

Highlights
•	Grew the number of donations by 200%; increased number of donors by 300%; catapulted the average gift amount by 400% and reactivated 131 lapsed donors resulting in 221 gifts totaling $887,276.24.
•	Led the first-ever acquisition mailing resulting in 50% portfolio growth.
•	Created twelve direct mail and email campaigns, eight virtual events and four annual donor thankathons.
•	Professionalized the Development, Marketing and Communications department and built a sustainable fundraising program.

Search for Common Ground

Deputy Chief of Development, Marketing and Communications/Director of Development

Supervised development & communications. | Direct reports: 4.5 staff, 9 volunteers | Reported to: ED | $300K Budget oversight
Increased annual donor retention rate to 95% (a 20% increase from previous year).

Highlights
•	Grew individual giving by 20% in one year through list buying, personalized communications, in person visits and events.
•	Directed the communications team through a refresh of the brand and the development of a strategic communication plan.
•	Led external pro bono team on the improvement of visual imagery including creating an Instagram account.

Groundswell International

Director Of Donor Relations

Led revenue growth strategies | Managed vendor relationships 
Direct reports: 2 | Reported to: Executive Director | $700K Budget oversight
Raised $7.3 million in 20 months from corporations, individuals, foundations and government.

Highlights
•	Grew annual revenue via relationship cultivation, foundation proposals and direct appeal campaigns.
•	Liaised with two boards of directors and nine-member advisory council, including Gordon Brown (former UK Prime Minister); Bob Geldof (singer & political activist); and Tim Berners-Lee (Web inventor).
•	Championed and orchestrated first development and communications department: created processes; deployed Salesforce CRM to manage donors.
•	Partnered with an external Marketing and Communications firm to develop the external communications, brand, and messaging worldwide.
•	Planned and executed five new donor events with Tim Berners-Lee for 80+ high net worth prospects in London, Geneva and
Mumbai resulting in increased market presence and five significant new gifts.

The World Wide Web Foundation

Development Lead

Introduced new revenue growth strategies. | Directed volunteer committee, board of directors, and senior staff.
Direct reports: 2 | Reported to: Executive Director | $500K Budget oversight 
Raised $2.5 million foundations, memberships, annual fund campaigns and major gift development. 

Highlights
•	Secured the largest major donor gift of $175K, reflecting an increase of 125% above previous largest gift amount.
•	Elevated average gift amount for member donors by 20% overall.
•	Galvanized 300+ donor relationships via enhanced stewardship of existing grants and identification of growth opportunities. 
•	Saved $75K in annual work hours and enhanced transparency to donors by streamlining existing workflows / processes.

The Association of Small Foundations

•	Conducted institutional assessment of rural microfinance program. Led co-workers and local partners:  created business plan to achieve operational sustainability within five years, and financial sustainability within seven years. Piloted streamlined organization and salary structure based on findings. 
•	Created and led market development and project management methodology training adopted by 14 program staff / management members / local partners. Resulted in 15% productivity increase.

Save the Children USA

Micro Enterprise Development Advisor (USAID Emerging Markets Development Advisor Program)

Grew private funding, revamped conference sponsorship program, member communications and engagement strategies. 
Direct reports: 3 | Reported to: Executive Director | $750K Budget oversight
Wrote proposals yielding $11M in core and program funding, including the largest grant in SEEP history - $6.5M. 

Highlights
•	Grew sponsor contributions by 300%, and contributed to the first-time profitability of conference sponsorship program. 
•	Increased usage of products and services by 10% and depth of SEEP engagement within member organizations.

Melissa Nussbaum