Grace and Grit

Gabrielle Carlin
Campaign executive, Jewish National Fund

Keeping the front end of the donor pipeline full is crucial. And any fundraiser who can do that while also breaking a 107-year-old barrier certainly is deserving of some accolades. Enter Gabrielle Carlin, who, according to JNF Director of Communications Jodi Bodner, has for the first time in the organization’s history managed to attract the attention of young professionals. The new demographic is the result of Gabrielle’s work in the creation of the JNFuture program. “Since coming to JNF two years ago, Gabrielle has focused her efforts on individuals in their 20s and 30s through programming, missions to Israel, and forums with young Jewish leaders to engage and increase support for JNF’s initiatives.”

Jenny L. Feinberg
Senior consultant, Common Knowledge

Jenny L. Feinberg’s ability to “understand where a nonprofit is at and where they want to be” was the comment in her nominating form that really got our attention. Rachel Weidinger, marketing manager and senior consultant at online-fundraising agency Common Knowledge, writes that Jenny “maps out paths and patiently brings nonprofits through issues that challenge the existing organizational culture with grace. Jenny is an extremely thoughtful, intelligent person. She has repeatedly demonstrated an outstanding, wise-beyond-her-years ability to listen and communicate, to research and analyze problems, and to provide creative solutions.”

Basil J. Lyberg
Director of development, Push America

In just three years, Basil Lyberg has transformed Push America’s development program from one that relied solely on corporate gifts to a diversified program that relies on support from individuals — an effort that shows true vision. According to Adam Lentz, director of logistics for Push America, Basil began the transition by creating a fundraising strategy that included comprehensive donor-communication and -recognition programs and a national donor-visit strategy, and followed up with a phone-a-thon that brought in an additional $30,000 in gifts. Through Basil’s efforts, revenues from individuals increased 42 percent by the second year and tripled by the third. According to Lentz, “the accomplishments Basil has attained in his three years as director of development have been critical to [the strategic goals Push America has slated to achieve] by 2010.”

Allison Sanders
Director of development, Western Pennsylvania Humane Society

“Open-minded” and “enthusiastic” are just about the two best words we can think of to describe the consummate nonprofit fundraiser. And according to Joanna Guziewicz, director of training for the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, they fit Allison Sanders to a T: “Allison is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a strong work ethic. [She] joined the Western PA Humane Society almost two years ago, and she brings with her an open-minded and enthusiastic approach when taking on new challenges.” Allison’s willingness to mentor co-workers to help them achieve their professional goals, and an overall positive attitude that reflects throughout her department round out the picture.

Erin Smith
Development and marketing manager, Bring Me A Book

The nominating form for Erin Smith shows her myriad efforts in both fundraising and public relations/marketing for the literacy organization Bring Me A Book. Dedication, versatility and enthusiasm seem to be the key words that describe this powerhouse who “goes above and beyond [and] works nonstop,” according to Kevin Cheng, an associate with Eastwick Communications, Bring Me A Book’s public-relations agency. Some of Erin’s efforts and accomplishments include improving and managing the organization’s donor database; assisting in the creation and branding of numerous initiatives; and coordination of numerous partnerships — all elements that have contributed greatly to BMAB’s recent growth.

Courtney Spellacy
Development associate, ActionAid USA

Courtney Spellacy has been with anti-poverty group ActionAid USA for just a little more than a year, yet according to nominator Brenna Kupferman, the organization’s senior foundations adviser, she already has demonstrated the versatility, creativity and dedication vital to a successful fundraiser. Courtney has taken the lead on a number of projects, including the institution of a new data-management system, online and e-mail marketing efforts, outreach to student and youth groups, and development of the organization’s redesigned Web site. “Courtney is always interested in finding new ways to engage with our supporters and is happy to help out on new initiatives,” Kupferman says. FS