Cat Principe

About Cat Principe

Since 2012, I have been committed to fostering community engagement and promoting sustainable outdoor practices for all. My expertise in strategic planning and organizational development underpins my efforts to create meaningful connections within the field of urban conservation and amplify climate-conscious narratives centering the voices least heard.With Thrive Outside Chicago, I have built a thriving network of 48 different organizations and grassroots groups working to bridge gaps to equitably accessing the outdoors. Since 2023 I have been the primary organizer for the launch of the network initiative, founded by the Outdoor Foundation. Managing diverse community needs across Chicago while strategically investing over $250k into grants, capacity building opportunities, sponsorships, and scholarships.As a Development Strategist at Wild for Climate, I collaborate with diverse stakeholders to advance climate awareness within the outdoor recreation sector. My work emphasizes strategic partnerships, nonprofit mission development, and securing grant funding to support impactful initiatives.

Experience

1. Thrive Outside Program Coordinator

   The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

   Mar 2023 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Built the Thrive Outside Chicago Newtork through community centered outreach and cultivated relationships with 48 partner organizations, focusing on enhancing outreach in South and West sides of Chicago. Then growing the network and expanding to include grassroots organizations across all 77 neighborhoods.• Oversaw intricate financial management of multiple budgets while navigating social dynamics inherent in community engagement and public-facing initiatives.• Directed strategic allocation of grant funds to ensure responsible investment practices.• Analyzed and organized extensive budgets and data sets to enhance understanding and collaboration with stakeholders.• Implemented structured systems for tracking and managing small grant awards, ensuring compliance and effective allocation of over $230k in two years.• Delivered more than in small grants to ensure availability of necessary gear and resources for programming initiatives for the network.• Oversaw an investment of over in capacity building initiatives for the network, enhancing skills through the Thriving Together series, grant writing certifications, and wilderness first aid certifications.• Managed sponsorship initiatives for partner programs and community events, promoting unified network efforts.• Created a detailed survey system that effectively captures participation, location, activity, financial, and engagement information from 48 distinct organizational partners.• Assisted in coordinating a network-wide in-kind gift donation exceeding from a prominent outdoor retail brand to local communities. Supported distribution of 337 individual pieces of gear to network members on Chicago\'s South and West sides.• Contributed to the formulation of grant proposals, ensuring funding acquisition for significant program initiatives.• Recruited and retained new donors to the program to support match fundraising efforts.

Education

• Boston University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Environmental Analysis and Policy

  2011 — 2016

• The State University of Zanzibar

  Swahili Language, East African History, Politics, and Sustainability

  2013 — 2013