Carolyn Ashworth: Fundraising & Business Consultant in Brevard, NC

Contracted marketing professional for Lake Logan Episcopal Center, led the development of new website and additional marketing/communications tools to assist in the center's mission and revenue generation targets. Long-term contract to build a grants program for a national disease-focused organization including prospect identification and screening, grant calendar development, and creation of institutionalized protocols to ensure optimized grant solicitation, recognition, and reporting. Created and implemented annual goals, strategies, and evaluative metrics for grant-related fundraising campaigns designed to inspire operational support and seed funding for new programs. Contracted Development consultant for a national adoption and infertility education and support organization. Work involved creation of a comprehensive development strategy focusing primarily on sponsorship/major gift solicitations, grant development, and a moves management plan. Completed a human resources consultancy with Hickory Nut Gap Farms to assist in the development and codification of personnel policies to meet the growth needs of the company; Initiated a strategic marketing consultancy with Sanesco International to conduct a macroenvironmental competitive analysis, develop a communications & marketing plan, and identify distribution opportunities. Led grant development for Coastal Horizons, Inc. in support of a federal proposal to create a transitional living program in the organization’s Wilmington, NC location.

Design, implementation, and management of all fundraising activities including annual giving, endowment and capital campaigns, legacy gift program, special projects, and other solicitations; Identify and secure new sources of institutional funds while maintaining and growing relationships with existing contributor base; oversaw the annual fund and all associated activities; worked directly with major donors to identify opportunities that aligned donor interests with agency needs; Administered the Foundation’s endowed scholarship funding, working with alumni to coordinate the application, review, and scholarship award process; Planned and developed major special events, including an event attended by over 20,000 people that set agency fundraising records; worked with sponsors, vendors, in-kind donors, and volunteers to execute events including golf tournaments, recognition events, plated dinners, awards ceremonies, 5K runs, auctions, holiday events, and much more; In coordination with agency leadership and board members, developed strategies to meet aggressive fundraising goals; conducted fundraising trainings for board members and other volunteers; assumed all responsibility for board relations as pertaining to development functions; Managed the Development office and all staff members; directed the office systems to support all Development projects and operations; represented the Development office in senior leadership, strategic planning meetings, and board retreats.

Played a leadership role in translating organizational and community needs into persuasive, fundable concepts and proposals. Provided leadership for researching and aligning the organization’s needs, strengths, and strategic direction with available local, federal, state, and private funding opportunities. Development of institutional grant proposals; constructing and evaluating budgets; collaborating with appropriate offices to ensure fidelity, compliance, outcomes and supervision for grants activities; and periodically updating stakeholders on progress and achievements. Raised in excess of $6 million through grants for new program development, including the establishment of new long-term relationships with key funders who became repeat major donors; Through storytelling, data mining, and consistent, proactive contact with regional media, identify compelling opportunities for the agency message to be heard; acting as agency spokesperson in regional and national media, including a feature on HGTV; Design and preparation of all collateral materials supporting the agency communications plan, including annual reports, newsletters, email solicitations, web content, press releases, informational brochures, event invitations, and more (virtual portfolio available upon request); Play a key role in branding strategy to increase Eliada’s visibility to prospective donors.

Managed company communications, including writing, designing, and/or editing articles for a health advocacy publication with a distribution of 25,000+; Planned, executed, & measured strategic marketing campaigns; Provided graphic design direction and support for all design projects; Oversaw new employee hiring, training, and supervision for marketing team.