Rani DeMesme-Anders
Pasadena ,CA
Summary
Strategic nonprofit leader with 18 years of experience transforming narratives into revenue and relationships into lasting impact. Proven architect of campaigns that have generated multi-million-dollar growth, doubled donor engagement, and mobilized communities across advocacy, healthcare, and social impact. Builds sustainable donor pipelines, cultivates board and corporate partnerships, and develops communications that drive mission-driven change. Brings clarity to complex challenges, aligns cross-functional teams, and designs development strategies that scale nonprofit missions and deliver measurable results.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Fundraising Strategist
The Change Up Group (Consulting Firm)
02.2025 - Current
- Design and implement fundraising and communications strategies that blend storytelling, data analytics, and digital platforms to drive donor acquisition and retention across social services and advocacy sectors.
- Build and optimize multi-channel donor journeys, achieving engagement rates up to 30% above industry benchmarks.
- Advise leadership teams on board engagement, stakeholder management, and messaging alignment to strengthen governance and sustainability.
- Develop stewardship toolkits and compelling case statements that have helped secure transformational gifts and deepen donor relationships.
- Scale nonprofit giving programs by enhancing major donor prospecting and stewardship and aligning cross-departmental communications for consistent impact.
Director, Audre Lorde Health Program
Los Angeles LGBT Center
02.2023 - 02.2025
- Led organizational expansion of holistic health services for queer women, nonbinary, and transmasc populations, centering equity and culturally competent care.
- Managed multi-agency grant and subcontractor partnerships with full financial oversight, compliance, and performance accountability.
- Strengthened advocacy efforts and forged partnerships with health agencies, government leaders, and community organizations to advance access and inclusion.
- Secured funding and drove programmatic growth across clinical services, health education initiatives, and digital engagement campaigns.
Director of Strategic Communications
Heluna Health
07.2022 - 02.2023
- Led strategic communications operations spanning branding, media relations, digital engagement, and staff development.
- Secured the organization’s first national media feature and doubled annual fund engagement through targeted campaigns.
- Produced publications, social media initiatives, and the first promotional video on Black maternal health, expanding visibility and community reach.
- Implemented integrated marketing systems, improving data-driven engagement by 20%.
- Led fundraising strategy and provided development coaching for fiscally sponsored organizations, strengthening capacity and sustainability.
Director, Community Engagement
Los Angeles LGBT Center
06.2020 - 06.2022
- Oversaw annual giving and community engagement strategy, including multi-platform fundraising and in-person donor cultivation.
- Produced a year-end campaign with 1.8M impressions, 1M+ reach, 29% engagement, and $270K+ raised in one month.
- Directed fundraising strategy achieving 52% revenue growth and the first $1M+ annual membership line.
- Cultivated stakeholder relationships through moves-management, engagement opportunities, and impact reporting.
- Led staff teams in pipeline development and cross-departmental collaboration, strengthening fundraising and volunteer operations.
Membership Manager
Los Angeles LGBT Center
10.2017 - 05.2020
- Increased membership revenue by 50%, boosted donor retention by 20%, and expanded membership base by 50%.
- Pioneered first event-based peer-to-peer fundraising initiative with the Los Angeles Marathon, engaging 100+ volunteers and securing $33K+ from 300 first-time donors.
- Produced a Pride event with 3K attendees and $25K raised, strengthening community and corporate partnerships.
- Led fundraising and engagement communications, including copywriting, marketing, collateral creation, ad placement, promotional items, and vendor management.
Membership Associate
Los Angeles LGBT Center
04.2016 - 09.2017
- Cultivated entry-level donors through events, newsletters, and early social fundraising initiatives.
- Developed entry-point donor pipeline and stewardship opportunities to support long-term growth.
- Produced monthly newsletter and collaborated on digital campaigns, including website development and the launch of social fundraising initiatives.
- Vendor management, including promotional items and graphic design.
Senior Campaign Manager
Donor Services Group
01.2013 - 10.2015
- Managed 150+ fundraisers across national campaigns (Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign, Doctors Without Borders, Habitat for Humanity, and more).
- Consistently exceeded performance goals through data-driven coaching and messaging.
Education
Philosophy & Communications
Tufts University
Medford, MASkills
- Fundraising Strategy
- Strategic Communications
- Donor Pipeline Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Major Gifts & Annual Giving
- Board Engagement
- Corporate Relations
- Grant Oversight
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- CRM System & Digital Engagement Tools
- Public Speaking
- Volunteer Engagement
- Brand strategy
Websites
Affiliations
- TOMS Nonprofit Advisory Board | Apr 2021 – Jun 2022
- Board Member, Dyke Day LA | Jan 2020 – Jun 2022
Certification
American Express Leadership Academy (2019)
LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
- Committees: DEI, CEO Search, Sustainability, Middle Management Steering (Co-Chair).
- Presenter and spokesperson on nonprofit missions via national TV, radio, and live events (10K+ audiences).
Timeline
Lead Fundraising Strategist
The Change Up Group (Consulting Firm)
02.2025 - Current
Director, Audre Lorde Health Program
Los Angeles LGBT Center
02.2023 - 02.2025
Director of Strategic Communications
Heluna Health
07.2022 - 02.2023
Director, Community Engagement
Los Angeles LGBT Center
06.2020 - 06.2022
Membership Manager
Los Angeles LGBT Center
10.2017 - 05.2020
Membership Associate
Los Angeles LGBT Center
04.2016 - 09.2017
Senior Campaign Manager
Donor Services Group
01.2013 - 10.2015
Philosophy & Communications
Tufts University
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