ALISON URMSON

324 Wikiup Drive

Santa Rosa, CA 95403
au129628e@westpost.net
cell 707.494.5931
-Accomplished leader with experience in donor development, community outreach an
d education, volunteer and board recruitment, fundraising and event planning.
-Experienced fundraising and marketing professional with a clear focus on result
s-driven timelines.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, San Francisco, CA (April 2008 - present)
Development Manager, San Francisco and North Bay
Oversee planning and implementation of Walk to Cure Diabetes: Golden Gate Bridge
, Royal Ball: Kingdom for a Cure and Ride to Cure Diabetes. Recruit, train and s
upervise committees of volunteers for each fundraising event. Work with team mem
bers to establish marketing and communications plans for each event, with a majo
r goal of increasing the scope of social marketing. Establish and cultivate rela
tionships with donors, top fundraisers, sponsors and partner organizations throu
ghout the Bay Area. Organize corporate recruitment events, kick-offs and recogni
tion events for various groups with a special interest in diabetes. Staff liaiso
n with San Francisco Board of Directors. Responsible for fundraising budget of $
750,000 for FY11.
Major Contributions:
-Increased fundraising revenue for Royal Ball: Kingdom for a Cure by 35%. Exceed
ed budget goal by 33%.
-Implemented aggressive plan to promote Ride to Cure Diabetes program, doubling
the income and participation.
-Increased Walk to Cure Diabetes corporate sponsorship and participation through
upgraded marketing campaign and outreach.
American Cancer Society, Santa Rosa, CA (July 2005 - April 2008)
Manager, Community Development, Relay for Life
Recruit, manage and train volunteers for committee positions to plan and impleme
nt 5 Relay For Life fundraising events, raising $859K in 2007. Provide fundraise
rs the tools needed to accomplish the Greater Bay Region income development plan
. Monitor progress of event fundraising. Create and maintain relationships with
community leaders to promote Relay for Life and American Cancer Society. Work wi
th regional corporate sponsors to renew and increase their sponsorship levels by
utilizing recognition and retention programs. Create budgets for and oversee ex
penses and revenues for each event. Attend regional networking events and commun
ity functions to continue Relay For Life event growth and sustainability. Conduc
t bi-monthly two-day trainings throughout California for new Relay For Life Staf
f. Manage administrative staff.
Blood Bank of the Redwoods, Santa Rosa, CA (Oct. 2002 - July 2005)
Account Coordinator
Schedule and oversee mobile blood drives (with a goal of 800+ units of whole blo
od per month) in sections of Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties. Meet and work
with volunteer chairpersons of sponsoring high schools/companies/organizations t
o plan blood drives/recruit donors at their organization. Continuous prospecting
of new blood drive sponsors and locations. Prepare and present informational pr
esentations to Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Club and other community organizatio
ns and schools. Supervise administrative staff and volunteers during blood drive
s.
Major Contribution:
-With aggressive expansion program, increased number of blood donors in Lake Cou
nty by 46% over 3-year period.
North Bay Angels, Santa Rosa, CA (Jan. 2002 - Dec. 2002)
MBA Student Intern
Attended presentations by start-up companies in North Bay focusing on potential
marketplace success. Presented an analysis to the highly respected venture capit
alist organization North Bay Angels in Santa Rosa.
Willitts Designs, International, Petaluma, CA (Dec. 2001 - Oct. 2002)
Marketing Coordinator
Assist brand director with all aspects of marketing and product development for
$35M collectible and gift company. Manage marketing budget for two product lines
- Just the Right Shoe and Forget Me Nots. Create and analyze sales reports. Coo
rdinate and write copy for marketing materials and bimonthly sales newsletter. R
esearch and focus group testing of new product line ideas.
360 Productions, Inc., Sebastopol, CA (Dec. 2000 - July 2001)
Production Manager
Responsible for managing multiple music-related projects for major recording art
ist/producer/researcher. Production manage recording project for Sony Music Clas
sical Japan. Negotiate session agreements with artists and sound engineers and c
reate budgets for recording projects and band tours.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
Coursework towards Masters of Business Administration
California State University, Northridge, CA
Bachelor of Arts: Radio, Television and Film - Multimedia Management
Member, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Wine Country Chapter (AFP-WCC)
-Committee member of National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 18th, 2008.
Attendee, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Gate Chapter's Annual
Conference
-Completed Certificate in Fundraising certification, June 2008
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Family Connection, Santa Rosa, CA
Mentor recovering mother while she got back on her feet after being homeless.
World Vision, Santa Rosa, CA
Volunteer at Experience AIDs in Africa exhibition