Merrell Dickey

Chief of Development @St. Vincent De Paul Cares

Downtown St. Petersburg, FL, US

Executive leader of SVdP CARES which has expanded services and programs from 5 to 19 counties in 7 years with unparalleled positive housing outcomes of 80%. SVdP CARES is the largest provider of contracted veteran homeless services in the U.S. As a member of the executive team, I have overseen a comprehensive rebrand of the organization; have increased annual private sector revenue from to $1,364,880 - total private giving of $2,308,014 in FY 23-24; directed the implementation of new CRM systems, and digital, social media, and website partnerships to increase revenue and engagement; partnered with community and faith based organizations to increase permanent and affordable housing portfolio; realized through the efforts of a talented team over $1 million in sales for the first time at Community Thrift Store in FY 23-24; was invited to submit a proposal for the organization\'s first endowed gift of $4.375 million for the organization; helped lead the merger of the Homeless Coalition of Charlotte County with SVdP CARES, and oversaw operations and budgeting for the development, communications, volunteer, and thrift store staff. I direct a team of 27 staff directly supporting the development and business enterprise functions. They are laser focused on engagement of the private sector with the work of St. Vincent de Paul CARES to end homelessness and lift people out of poverty. The Development Staff not only connects private financial donors to the work of SVdP CARES, but manages events, volunteers, communications and public relations, media relations, in-kind donations, and strategic partnerships with the larger faith, business, and nonprofit community. Recent additional successes: grew major fundraiser from $12,500 to annually; nearly 100% year over year retention of major gift donors, and lead 22 community integration events for clients and partners throughout 11 of our 19 counties served.

St. John Vianney College Seminary

Certificate of Completion, Philosophy

University of South Florida

Bachelor of Arts, Speech Communication

University of South Florida

BA, Speech Communications

St. Vincent dePaul Regional Seminary, St. John Vianney College Seminary

MA, MDiv, Theology, Divinity, Philosophy, Ethics

St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

Master of Arts, Theology