~ Audit of your organization’s ability and readiness to raise money and suggestions for ways you can make this happen.
~ Refinement and reorganization of your current fundraising plan
~ Group or individual board, staff or volunteer trainings of any length on:
     ~ Board roles
     ~ Fundraising techniques
     ~ Major gift approaches
     ~ The role of the development committee
     ~ Grant research and proposal writing
     ~ Telling your story effectively

Development support:

~ Assistance developing fundraising letters and an annual fund strategy, grant research & proposals, newsletters, Web content and   other collateral and in helping you develop lists of community contacts
~ Help navigating and working with the news media
~ Your case for support: including interviews and research
~ Articles about your organization for journals, Web sites, and other media

Background on you and/or your business:

I spent 25 years as a journalist, writing stories and columns for daily newspapers, journals and magazines. I turned to nonprofit work in the early 2000s, drawing on my personal interest in social change and my long history of volunteer grassroots involvement. I have worked with a number of organizations, helping them understand board roles, identify their key audiences and build strategies for engagement. I have written hundreds of grant proposals, helped boards make community contacts, written organizational histories and promotional products for fundraising events, taught media relations and proposal writing to groups and individuals and presented to boards about their roles.

I am an active member of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and l'm deeply, personally involved in community service through membership on two Ohio boards: The Mentoring Center of Central Ohio and Haven of Hope Cancer Foundation. For six years, I also have helped plan and host the Good Neighbors Picnic for the Columbus homeless community — an event that grows every year.

I am a graduate of Ohio State and Kent State universities.

Testimonials and/or references:

"Ruth Portnoy is not only a knowledgeable, skilled fundraiser but an inventive planner and fantastic writer who can make an organization’s mission live in the eyes of a reader. Her work as Chair of the Development Committee of the Mentoring Center of Central Ohio has included creating a clear and actionable development plan as well as working with board members to create comfort in connecting with potential donors. She is a real asset to our organization!”- Marilyn Pritchett, Director, Mentoring Center of Central Ohio

“Ruth brought great energy and a clear understanding of our needs. She quickly produced exactly what we asked for and helped us ask the kinds of questions we needed to answer before approaching funders. She’s extremely multi-talented and a quick study on any organization. Whether it’s an LOI, donor newsletter or initial contact with a potential funder, Ruth always exceeded our expectations.” - Debra L. Mason, Ph.D., Executive Director, Religion Newswriters (an international journalism organization)

“Ruth is an exceptional communicator and has the drive that all fundraising professionals need! She motivates colleagues and volunteers alike to step up to the challenge of moving beyond their comfort zone and get serious about funding their organization.” - Dave Sternberg, Loring, Sternberg & Associates LLC, international consultant, trainer for The Fund Raising School and Board Source and author of "Fearless Fundraising for Boards" published by Board Source.

“Ruth would be a great asset to any organization. We worked closely with Ruth to develop resources for our clients. She was very attentive to our needs, diligent, and the materials produced were top-notch. Combined with her experience, Ruth will bring any organization thoughtful leadership and drive to reach the next level.”- Derrick Feldmann, President/Partner, Achieve, LLC
, Indianapolis

Names of and/or links to your books, articles or blogs:

www.RSPdevelopment.com

Service area by country, state or zip code:

Ohio and United States