Christian Teresi

About Christian Teresi

I am a senior nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience building programs, advancement operations, and institutional partnerships across international education, cultural institutions, and mission-driven advocacy organizations. My work sits at the intersection of program development, fundraising strategy, and operational infrastructure. I have directed large-scale initiatives while building the systems, partnerships, and communications infrastructure that sustain them. I have particular experience in translating complex ideas for diverse audiences, cultivating relationships with philanthropic foundations and government funders, and connecting talented people to meaningful work. Currently, as Director of Development & Communications at Rising for Justice, I oversee institutional fundraising, foundation relations, and external communications for a legal aid organization serving thousands of DC residents annually. I manage grants compliance and reporting, shape donor-facing narratives, and lead policy advocacy and coalition communications.My background includes multi-channel fundraising, CRM implementation and data governance, federal and foundation grant compliance, large-scale event production, and organizational change management. I bring a solutions-oriented approach and a track record of building operational systems that allow organizations and the people they serve to thrive. I am motivated by work that expands opportunity, advances equity, and connects expertise to the places where it can do the most good.

Experience

1. Director of Development & Communications

   Rising for Justice

   Jan 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Lead foundation relations, institutional fundraising, and external communications for a nonprofit legal aid organization serving thousands of Washington, DC residents annually. Manage the full grant lifecycle from proposal development through reporting and closeout, ensuring compliance, risk assessment, and coordinated disbursements in partnership with Finance and executive leadership. Draft, edit, and shape funding proposals, donor reports, impact narratives, website content, and public-facing materials, translating complex legal and policy work into clear, accurate, and compelling communications. Partner cross-functionally with attorneys, social workers, and program staff to distill technical subject matter into audience-appropriate messaging without sacrificing nuance or accuracy. Oversee CRM strategy and Salesforce reporting infrastructure, building dashboards and workflows that increase portfolio visibility, strengthen data integrity, and support strategic decision-making. Contribute to organizational communications strategy, including website redesign, digital storytelling, board materials, and major donor engagement.

Education

• State University of New York at Binghamton

  B.A.

• George Mason University

  M.F.A.

Skills

• Press Releases
• Volunteer Management
• Fundraising
• Newsletters
• Poetry
• Copy Editing
• Publishing
• Event Planning
• Proofreading
• Program Development
• Advocacy
• Teaching
• Conference Organization
• Higher Education
• Creative Writing
• Events
• Conferences
• Community Outreach
• Editing
• Non-Profits
• Nonprofits
• Content Development
• Literature
• Event Management