SHERRI L.

TAYLOR, CFRE
Phone: 214-918-7927 linkedin.com/pub/sherri-taylor-cfre/31/647/8a sltaylor0717@yahoo.com

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Mission motivated Development and Fundraising Executive with a distinguished career history of designing, leading, and executing
comprehensive development programs and fundraising campaigns. Adds immediate value by identifying key issues, mapping
solutions, and zeroing in on the most impactful and urgent areas of focus and opportunity including capital, major, and principal gifts,
as well as donor identification/development, projects, people and processes. Extensive experience in evaluating organizations and
developing the strategic roadmap, as well as professionalizing staff, reducing costs, building processes, and building on bright spots
to rally groups around goals and solve problems.
Establishes positive and productive relationships with board members, donors, volunteers, community/business leaders and co-
workers. Strong knowledge of major gift efforts, capital campaigns, annual fund appeals, and planned gift instruments. Quickly learns
the terrain, taps into the right resources, and brings fresh ideas to the table. Engaging presenter and trusted advisor who navigates
confidently across all organizational levels and functional areas.

EXPERTISE

Annual Giving / Major Gifts Capital Campaign Design & Implementation Strategic Planning & Tactical Execution
Donor Acquisition & Retention Project / Program Management Staff Training & Mentoring
Public Speaking Case Development & Marketing Donor / Board Relations

LEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS & REPRESENTATIVE CAMPAIGNS
Raised more than $325 million in capital campaign, endowment, and operating funds for non-profit organizations over 15 years.
Set a new standard for philanthropy at Marthas Village & Kitchen by leading a capital campaign that facilitated growth from a small
parish group serving meals to the homeless to a $10+ million, 48,000 sq. ft. transitional living facility, changing thousands of lives.
Directed a campaign for Allen Foundation / Allen Hospital / Allen College which secured $18+ million in pledges, exceeding $15
million goal, including a $5 million outright gift, the largest in the history of the hospital and one of the largest gifts in the region..
Managed 3-year engagement with Cottey College to guide a $35 million campaign and transition the organization from reactive gift
receiving to proactive, inspired philanthropy; campaign received $41 million in gifts and pledges, far surpassing the goal.
Led 2 successful campaigns for Southfield School in Shreveport, LA; one achieved $5.6 million on $5.5 million goal and the 2
nd

exceeded the $4.5 million objective with a total of $4.7 million raised.
Served as lead consultant on a $25 million campaign for the Community Health System in Ventura, CA; transformed fundraising
from transactional activities to a donor-centered approach which identified donors as partners and solicitations as invitations to
become philanthropic partners, creating a collaborative environment leading to participation that exceeded expectations.
Led Alton Memorial Hospitals 1
st
building campaign in more than 40 years, raising $3 million for the expansion; retained following
completion of the campaign to establish an ongoing Comprehensive Development Program including annual fund, major and
planned giving, and stewardship programs as well as creation of a signature special event.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GRAHAM PELTON September 2013 Present
Of Counsel
Recruited as a contract consultant to conduct philanthropic assessments and provide strategic counsel on a variety of
complex fundraising and development projects.
Managed engagement to prepare for and launch an $11.3 million capital campaign for Midland Universitys expansion
following their purchase of the Dana College campus and growth from less than 500 to more than 1300 students.
Re-created the database of Dana College alumni and lead efforts to restore damaged relationships and re-engage them as
potential donors through personal meetings and multi-level communications strategy.
WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY July 2011 August 2013
Vice President of Advancement
Retained on 2-year contract to define fundraising strategy, strengthen development operations, enhance donor outreach,
create a culture of philanthropy, and prepare the University for its 1st Comprehensive Campaign.
Shifted organization from a history of multiple direct mail appeals to a moves management program with strategies for
growth in annual fund, major gifts and legacy giving.
Re-engaged alumni and solicited key donors to secure major gifts. Increased Board and leadership giving by 275 percent.
Oversaw marketing, PR, Booster Club and Alumni efforts.

SHERRI L. TAYLOR, CFRE
Phone: 214-918-7927 linkedin.com/pub/sherri-taylor-cfre/31/647/8a sltaylor0717@yahoo.com

PURSUANT (formerly Viscern, parent company of subsidiaries RSI and Ketchum) 1997 2011
Vice President Ketchum, 2005 2011
Managed multiple projects with goals ranging from $20 million to $175 million.
Conducted capital campaigns, planning studies, readiness assessments, and development audits for organizations in
academic, healthcare and public-society benefit sectors.
Partnered with organizations to define requirements for annual funds, major gifts, campaigns, and legacy giving.
Identified key donors/constituents, developed strategy, tested/modified fundraising goals, pinpointed barriers to success, and
served as a partner and advisor in achieving campaign objectives.
Supervised revision of campaign manuals to establish best practices for all consultants and create new campaign models.
Trained, mentored, and supervised new hires and junior consultants.
Executive Consultant RSI Institutional, 2003 2005
Recruited by corporate management to participate as a key member of the leadership team charged with establishing and
leading a new division; grew from zero to $3+ million annual revenue.
Designed, developed, and presented group and one-on-one training for 15+ RSI Institutional consultants; educated team on
successful open constituency institutional fundraising campaign methodologies.
Conducted planning studies and led campaigns for faith based schools, seminaries, youth organizations and para-churches.
Consultant Ketchum, 1999 2002
Conducted planning studies for client organizations and designed/led capital campaigns up to $10 million
Provided support to the business development unit through pre-engagement fact-finding visits with potential clients to learn
about the organizations, their donor bases, boards of directors, and campaign goals,.
Engaged with executive leadership teams at client organizations to define campaign objectives.
Team Leader, RSI Holdings, 1997 1999
Led 7-member team in the design/development of fundraising and marketing materials for churches, faith-based, and not-
for-profit, organizations to support campaign and stewardship programs ranging from small campaigns for local
organizations and parishes to mega-churches, colleges and universities, and large international charities.
Consulted with RSI and Ketchum campaign leaders to gain an understanding of project goals, timeline, donor base,
volunteer organization, and educational needs; developed all training materials for the campaign and the volunteer base.
Served as Project Manager; worked in collaboration with the production team to monitor on-time/on-budget delivery of all
materials, and ensure quality expectations of the consultants and the client were met.

Prior Career Experience: Film & Television Writer, Producer, Casting Director.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Education, William Penn College
Indiana University Major Gifts Course CFRE Review Course Instructor AFP, Regional & National Conference Workshops

PRESENTATIONS
"Yes and....." - Using positive responses to overcome objections, achieve consensus and build relationships.
"Who Cares" - Who are your donors and what is their compelling story?
"Redefining Philanthropy" - Is our language turning donors away?
"Meaningful Stewardship" - Thanking your way to success and lasting relationships.
"Who's on First?" - The role and responsibilities of Board, Leadership, Staff, Volunteers.
"Keeping the FUNraising in FUNDraising" - Enjoying all aspects of the journey for you, your Board, and your volunteers.
"From Observations to Recommendations" - What you should learn from your planning study.
"Winning the House" - Creating a staff campaign that will inspire and engage internal constituents.
"Asking for the Gift" - It's not about you!

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Volunteer, USO / Independence Fund for Wounded Warriors Board of Directors, Trinity River Arts Center / Women in Film Dallas