Once hired as Marketing Director for First Graduate, one of my primary duties was to manage the annual agency fundraiser that was to take place in 6 months. Going through notes for that fundraiser, I noticed inconsistencies with the event and the organization's mission and opportunities to improve on the event's impact on the eco-system of the organization (staff, funders, students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders), as well as increasing revenue.
I persuaded the executive director to allow me to take one-on-one meetings with each of our board members to engage in conversations, really a fact-finding mission, about their perception of the current annual fundraiser. With the information collected, I created and proposed an entirely new concept for the fundraiser, presented it at the next board meeting and received complete buy-in from the board.
I organized the first Cap & Gown Gala with the help of key staff and volunteers and once complete, it raised more money for the organization than the previous 4 annual fundraisers combined. I Associate Produced an 8 minute short film that was screened at the Gala and provided collateral design, content development and layout services for the 32-page Official program book. The Cap & Gown Gala continues to grow and receive publicity, and continues today as the main annual fundraiser for First Graduate.
At the first Cap & Gown Gala (from left to right), Chuck Smith, retired President & CEO of AT&T West and previous First In Family Award Winner; First Graduate mentor and local politician Abel Guillen; First Graduate Executive Director Rozanne Junker; First In Family Award Recipient Dr. Robert Birgeneau, Chancellor of UC Berkeley; First Graduate Board Chair Bill Woodson