Curtis Gardner

About Curtis Gardner

I’m a strategic leader dedicated to growing community-focused organizations. As an Executive Director, I manage teams and operating budgets to ensure program sustainability and impact, with a focus on creating high quality, innovative offerings. I thrive in environments that embrace positivity, diversity, generousity, creativity, growth, and practicality.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Colorado Soccer Foundation

   Jan 2020 — Present · Denver, CO, US

   Co-founder and Executive Director for a community-focused non-profit. I have the privilege of leading growth, operations, and administration at a nonprofit rooted in community. Our mission is to provide access to soccer for kids who want to play. I lead a passionate team of 20 staff and 75 contractors.A few things I’m proud of:1. Growing our membership to over registrations in just three years by listening to families and designing programs that truly reflect what they need.2. Building over four months of operating reserves in two years, giving us the options to plan for the future.3. Leading the development and funding of a new $5 million community facility, a space that now brings people together and supports vital youth programs.4. Creating a more sustainable revenue mix so we can focus less on short-term fundraising and more on long-term impact.5. Hearing from families, kids, and community partners that our work makes a difference.I finished law school and passed the Colorado Bar in 2023, so I also oversee legal work including contracts, insurance, risk management, governance, compliance, and data privacy.

Skills

• Fundraising
• Community Engagement
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Sports Development
• Community Development
• Partnership-Building
• Team Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Cultural Diversity
• Project Management
• Organizational Leadership
• Cultural Awareness
• Sports Management
• Strategic Planning
• Sports
• Volunteer Management
• Grant Administration
• Report Writing