Donor Engagement & Experiences

Integrated communications and engagement strategy connecting donors, foundations, employers, and students through curated experiences, targeted storytelling, and sustained visibility.

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Taller San Jose

Development Officer/Communications Manager

Nonprofits

Executive Communications, External Communications, Institutional Development, Stakeholder Engagement

Content Strategy, Creative Direction, Logistical Support, Reviewer

United States

2004 - 2012

Workforce Development, Youth Development

Branding / Messaging, Earned Media, Feature Stories, Fundraising, Newsletters, Press Releases, Social Media, Website

Results/Impact

Strengthened donor retention and employer partnerships through structured engagement tied directly to workforce outcomes.
Elevated sponsor and graduate visibility across press, digital platforms, events, and custom communications products.

Project Description

Led strategic communications and engagement design supporting donor and employer involvement through facility tours, mock interviews, speaking panels, hiring pathways, graduations, and curated special events where students interacted directly with supporters.

Conceptualized and structured mission tours, identifying strategic stopping points linked to measurable outcomes. Prepared students to confidently guide tours and share their stories with clarity and professionalism.

Designed stewardship touchpoints that extended beyond events, including:

Regular student employment update communications demonstrating tangible outcomes
Handwritten notes from students to Amigo scholarship sponsors
Special appreciation receptions (e.g., student poetry readings and thank-you gatherings)
Strategic use of the founder’s book as both institutional history and high-level donor cultivation tool

Created visibility pipelines for employers and sponsors through press features, employer highlights, website spotlights, social media campaigns, and newsletter storytelling. Secured and coordinated media coverage that reinforced partnership value and student success.

Served as communications point person for foundations and institutional partners responding to written reports, impact stories, photography, or video production needs. Ensured message alignment, accuracy, and dignified representation across all formats while maintaining professional coordination and brand consistency.

Exhibit 1 - Engagement Materials and Stories

Our commununication strategy involved consistently showcasing the impact donors have have on students' lives through personal testimonies, employment updates, success stories, feature stories, and more--and across all mediums.

Exhibit 2 - Partner Deliverables

I served as the point of contact when funders required materials for their own reports, supplying them with content and helping to facilitate field visits if needed.

Exhibit 3 - Special Events and Receptions

Involving students and alumni at donor events greatly enriched experiences on a mutual level. Donors got the opportunity to engage with program participants and hear their stories firsthand, while the program paricipants gained valuable volunteer and civic engagement experience.

Exhibit 4 - Hire a Grad Spotlights

I consistently highlighted employers of our graduates through our donor newsletter, e-newsletter (not shown), social media, website, and other platforms.

Exhibit 5 - Mission Tour

I helped design the organization's monthly tour, offered to new donors, foundations, partner organizations, or anyone else interested in getting involved. I helped design the messaging framework and made announements on our social media, website, and donor newsletter.