Alana Dunbar, CFRE
Toronto
Summary
Effervescent philanthropy professional with 10 years leading non-profit departments in delivery of projects from ideation to execution. Talented at building relationships which move donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycles and delivering memorable revenue generating events. Strong at creating exceptional collaborative team performance through compassionate management and technical leadership.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Stewardship & Donor Engagement
Canadian Olympic Foundation
03.2023 - Current
- Designed and executed the COF wide strategic annual major donor engagement plan to drive cultivation of new prospects and steward donors to increase retention and build Olympic affinity
- Launched the COF donor community, The Team Canada Giving Circle, formalizing the donor experience, recognition practices and delivery of donor benefits for all levels (2200+ donors)
- Delivered three bespoke revenue generating events raising $1.2M from 28 new major donors within 6 months with support of board volunteers and senior leaders
- Supported the planing and execution of the COF's high intensity major donor engagement program at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, including a five day donor Hospitality program and VIP hosting at Canada Olympic House
- Formalized the upload of all stewardship and donor engagement activities to the Tessitura CRM
- Introduced innovative processes and technologies to streamline workflows, for example Asana project management calendars for communications plans, major donor gifting request forms and automating checklists for new donations
- Built strong relationships with colleagues across the organization to increase affinity with the COF and identify new fundraising and brand building opportunities
- Managed the delivery of 13 unique major donor stewardship impact reports and supporting communications
- Oversaw the delivery of all COF donor communications, including newsletters, thank you letters, gift announcements, web articles, social media and video production
Director of Philanthropy
Institute for Canadian Citizenship
08.2021 - Current
- Raised $4,353,853 from April 2019 to January 2023 across revenue portfolio, plus securing $1.8M in new ESDC government grant, with 100% committed pledge fulfillment rate.
- Led development, monitoring and growth of all revenue streams to generate funds for mission-related purposes including major gifts, sponsorships, government grants and events, including launching new revenue streams: mid-level and foundation giving strategies in 2021-2022.
- Monitored resource allocation, budget development and personnel recruitment for department.
- Ideation, planning, organizing and delivery of fundraising events across Canada including donor and prospect private dinners, receptions, luncheons, presentations and meetings, including delivery of first revenue positive fundraising event in ICC's history for 2000+ people and VIPs in Calgary, AB in October, 2022, securing $310,000 in new sponsorships and in-kind support.
- Acting Director of Communications from April 2021 to June 2022 including delivery of national advocacy campaign #EqualChance, redesign of inclusion.ca and management of four staff.
Manager, Fundraising and Development
Institute for Canadian Citizenship
04.2019 - 08.2021
- As a team of one, Led fundraising and development department to effectively generate revenue through major gifts, foundations, sponsorships, and government grants, including launching annual fund/monthly giving program. Raised $4,353,853 across all revenue streams from 2019 to Jan 2023 (total continued from Manager role to Director), secured $2,046,000 in multi-year pledges.
- Created and executed first ever multi-year Fundraising Plan for ICC and recognition framework.
- Responsible for all elements of donor facing communications, proposals, gift processing, recognition, and all impact reporting and stewardship.
- Responsible for all elements of major gift and and family foundation pipeline.
National Program Officer, Building Citizenship
Institute for Canadian Citizenship
05.2018 - 04.2019
- Planned and executed all elements of 40 highly creative enhanced citizenship ceremony events across Canada for 200+ attendees as lead planner and supported execution of 25+ ceremonies across Canada as part of first ever team at ICC to deliver 75 ceremonies in organization’s history.
- Singularly responsible for "high profile" large impact strategic ceremonies and regularly managed high profile relationships for ICC.
- Managed and strengthened partnerships with funding partner Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada nationwide offices.
- Developed partnerships with venues and organizations across Canada, negotiating sponsorships and in-kind support. Including unique partnerships with major Canadian institutions to celebrate new Canadians and inclusion efforts across Canada.
- Supported ICC Communications team in development and redesign of media strategies and promotion strategies.
Communications and Public Affairs Assistant
Global Centre for Pluralism
10.2016 - 04.2018
- Coordinated 27+ events in one year: public and private forums, partnership events and formal ceremonies of 20-1000+ attendees, including iconic launch of historic 330 Sussex Drive, including senior international dignitary invitations, attendee experience, performers, catering, design and decor, and budget and inaugural launch of Global Pluralism Awards.
- Developed and managed Volunteer Program including recruitment and training of 100+ active volunteers.
- Contributed to design, editing and distribution of Centre’s products including: academic articles, promotional materials, reports, and all digital content production, press releases, redesign of new website pluralism.ca December, 2017 and grew social media following +400%.
Creative Project Manager
Archipelago Productions
01.2014 - 09.2016
- Responsible for project management of concurrent clients: Marie Stopes Tanzania leading national communications campaign and delivery of 5000+ person rural clinic event with strategic partner Right to Play, 500+ person fundraising gala; Tanzania Brewing Ltd., event management of 3000+ person corporate family day; HP Intel event coordination; Jack Daniels ‘Jack Honey’ product launch event and publicity management, 300+ person VIP invite only attendance.
Education
Master of Arts - English Literature & African Studies
Carleton University
Ottawa, ON06.2016
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature & African Studies
Carleton Univeristy
Ottawa, ON06.2014
Skills
- Event management and execution in high-pressure situations
- Success working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere through self-motivated attitude and impressive work ethic
- Best-in-class donor engagement and stewardship and impact reporting
- Strong analytical, judgement, critical thinking, quick problem-solving skills, and attention to detail
- Relationship development with diverse donors, prospects, vendors, colleagues and partner/stakeholders
- Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills
- Project management, planning and implementation skills
- Budgeting, financial tracking and finance systems work
Certifications and Courses
- Coaching for High Performance, Manager Training - Third Factor/ Smith School of Business, 2023
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) - CFRE International, 2022
- AFP CFRE Refresher Course - Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global), 2022
- Fundamentals of Fundraising - Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global), 2021
- Mental Health First Aid - Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2021
- Women's Leadership Certificate Program - Canadian Management Centre, 2019
- Project Management, Mitacs, 2015
Volunteering
- Mentor, Girls E-Mentorship, Toronto, 2023 - ongoing
- Rescue Dog Foster, Fetch + Releash, Toronto, 2022 - ongoing
- Alumni Mentor, Carleton University, virtual, 2019 - ongoing
- AFP Congress Committee Volunteer, New to Fundraising and Stewardship/Experience Committee, Association of Fundraising Professionals, virtual, 2021
- Yoga Studio Assistant, Elevate Yoga, Ottawa, 2018
- Girl Guides of Canada Leader, Ottawa, 2017-2018
Timeline
Manager, Stewardship & Donor Engagement
Canadian Olympic Foundation
03.2023 - Current
Director of Philanthropy
Institute for Canadian Citizenship
08.2021 - Current
Manager, Fundraising and Development
Institute for Canadian Citizenship
04.2019 - 08.2021
National Program Officer, Building Citizenship
Institute for Canadian Citizenship
05.2018 - 04.2019
Communications and Public Affairs Assistant
Global Centre for Pluralism
10.2016 - 04.2018
Creative Project Manager
Archipelago Productions
01.2014 - 09.2016
Master of Arts - English Literature & African Studies
Carleton University
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature & African Studies
Carleton Univeristy
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