fraupants

FREELANCE WORK: Grant Writer, Researcher, Development Specialist, and Technical Writer – 1/03 to present -As a professional in writing, research, fundraising, editing, and communications, my freelance/contract assignments vary greatly, allowing for: the use of my comprehensive skills, an ability to adapt quickly to various environments, a proven capability to successfully complete assignments as instructed and in a timely manner, the assurance of adhering to a strong work ethic, and maintaining confidentiality. Organizations (nonprofit and for-profit) for which I have worked include, but are not limited to, the following genres: *Museums – Art and History; *Scientific Research & Education Institutes; *Academia – College Fundraising; *The Pharmaceutical Industry; *A Native American nonprofit – creating public awareness about repatriation, cultural & environmental issues, & building a community among all people; and *Social Services Agencies – (e.g., homeless women w/children, transitional shelter, day shelter for homeless men & women; programs serving adults, youth, children with developmental disabilities) Executive Director (part-time), McHenry County Bar Association (MCBA), Woodstock, IL – 11/05-10/06 -Served as sole employee of this 350-member association comprised of judges and attorneys -Planned and coordinated meetings & seminars for members, the Board of Governors (BOG) & practice sections -Organized and handled logistics for special events (e.g., Holiday Party, Annual Golf Outing, Law Day) -Wrote, formatted, sent, and compiled responses via email & fax blasts concerning meetings, events, etc. -Maintained & reconciled five (5) bank accounts; managed A/P & A/R; created monthly financial statements; worked with MCBA's accountant -Provided the public with attorney referrals and legal aid guidance -Handled new member orientation and maintained a current database of all members' contact information -Created & distributed press releases; edited newsletter & worked w/graphic designer & printer; managed advertiser accounts -Ordered supplies; handled correspondence, bulk mailings & carried out other administrative duties -Created and distributed press releases; served as photographer as needed Grants Specialist, Rosecrance, Rockford, IL – Addiction Treatment Center for Adults & Adolescents -2002 -Identified funding priorities & collaborated with colleagues in accounting, finance, human resources, etc. to gather vital proposal data -Researched current & prospective funders (i.e., foundations, corporations, government, service groups, & individuals) -Researched, wrote, edited & submitted grant proposals in an organized, deadline-driven manner; conducted site visits -Created and updated donor database on computer and maintained hard copy files of same information -Assisted development team w/special events, proofreading & PR materials (i.e., annual report, Web site, brochures, newsletter) -Participated in educational seminars: Federal Government Funding, Demystifying Grantmaking, & Dialogue with Donors Grant Writer/Volunteer Coordinator, Home of the Sparrow, McHenry, IL - Shelter program for homeless women & children - 5/01-1/02 *Grant Writer - Researched, wrote, edited, & submitted grant proposals to current and potential donors -Complied with funders’ reporting requirements -Attended government seminar for CDBG Program (Community Development Block Grants) *Volunteer Coordinator -Recruited volunteers via fairs, Web, networking, etc. to meet programmatic, management, & administrative goals -Maintained volunteer database; coordinated projects for schools, corporations, churches, & civic organizations -Created Volunteer Data Reports for board & management; produced & edited Volunteer Newsletter & Handbook Interim Work/Activity: Administrative temp positions; substitute teacher; volunteered; traveled to Western Europe; explored an (ESL) program in China - 2/00-4/01 Development Associate, Chicago Commons, Chicago, IL - A human services agency established in 1896, serving over 30,000 low-income Chicagoans - 12/98-1/00 -Accomplished administrative work for Development Department & FDLA*--a legal aid service of volunteer attorneys -Recruited, oriented & managed volunteers for Commons’ Annual Benefit & *First Defense Legal Aid -Utilized Raiser's Edge to maintain an organized, concise, & up-to-date fundraising database -Acknowledged donations and in-kind gifts in expedient manner -Completed monthly bank reconciliation reports & daily deposit records -Handled transactions of securities’ donations between donors and financial institutions -Produced year-to-date unrestricted & restricted gift spreadsheets each month -Created spreadsheet to compare current year’s donation data to that of previous fiscal year -Communicated consistently & tactfully with Commons' board of directors (60+ on board) -Attended seminar: The ABC's of Grant Writing – Donors Forum of Chicago -Researched, wrote & received funding for first grant proposal -Wrote articles, proofread documents & utilized photography skills for Commons' newsletter COMPUTER SKILLS: MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Publisher; Lotus Notes; Raiser's Edge; Quicken, Symantec FaxPro; HTML; extensive Internet usage EDUCATION Lake Forest College (LFC), Lake Forest, IL -Bachelor of Arts in French with concentration in Business – 1990 -Studied French Language & Economics in Avignon, France through Bryn Mawr College -Interned with the French Government Tourist Bureau, Chicago, IL -Phi Sigma Iota – Inducted into Foreign Language Honor Society Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL Paralegal Certificate – American Bar Association approved program – 1993 -Studies included Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Corporate Law, Real Estate, Family Law, Intellectual Property, Probate, Wills & Estate Planning, etc. VOLUNTEERISM *Woodstock Memorial Hospital – Thrift Shop Volunteer *Junior League of Chicago (JLC) - 1995 to 2004 -Served as Editor and Writer for Topics, the JLC’s magazine -Co-Chaired a mentor program for at-risk teens residing at the Cabrini-Green housing projects -Served as active member of the JLC’s Community and Marketing Councils -Provided myriad support for benefits and fundraising events (e.g., Y-ME Race Against Breast Cancer, formal fundraising events) *Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Chicago *Appalachian Service Project (ASP), Virginia - LFC project to perform carpentry work for at-risk families -Coordinated fundraising efforts; completed bank deposits & monitored account balance -Arranged for student transportation and insurance coverage -Contacted previous & prospective donors; expeditiously acknowledged all generous support -Learned & utilized carpentry skills on-site in VA; developed rapport with family members for whom we worked PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS – Association of Fundraising Professionals; Phi Sigma Iota - Foreign Language Honor Society