Sarah Cook
Strategic Fundraising & Events Leader | Donor Development | Sponsorships | High-Impact Nonprofit Partnerships | Organized, Data-Driven & Mission-Driven
- Role
- Development & Special Events Manager at i.c.stars |* Chicago
- Location
- Chicago, IL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Sarah Cook
I\'m a highly organized and results-oriented nonprofit professional with 8 years of experience driving impact through donor development, sponsorship engagement, and flawlessly executed events. My expertise lies in building and nurturing relationships with donors and partners, managing multi-layered fundraising strategies, and producing mission-driven events that inspire action and deepen engagement.Whether stewarding major gifts, designing compelling sponsor packages, or leading cross-functional teams, I bring a mix of strategic thinking, meticulous planning, and creative energy to everything I do. I\'m passionate about leveraging events and partnerships as powerful tools for community building and long-term sustainability.Core Skills- Donor Cultivation & Stewardship- Corporate Sponsorship Development- Event Strategy & Logistics (Virtual + In-Person)- CRM & Data Management (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, etc.)- Cross-Team Collaboration & Communication- DEI & Inclusive Community Building
Experience
Development & Special Events Manager
Jul 2023 — Present · Chicago, IL, US
Designed and executed comprehensive fundraising strategies that increased donor retention and expanded the corporate sponsorship portfolio.Led sponsorship development for marquee events like our 25th anniversary Tech Prom and annual iOpener conference, resulting in high levels of growth in partner engagement.Managed all aspects of large-scale events, from program flow to vendor management, ensuring seamless execution aligned with mission and branding.Collaborated cross-departmentally to develop prospect pipelines and stewardship plans for high-value donors and partners.Introduced new systems for tracking outreach, renewals, and follow-ups to ensure clear communication and a well-organized development calendar.
Education
Minnesota State University, Mankato
BS in Elementary Education, Elementary Education and Teaching, Minor in English
2006 — 2010
DePaul University
Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction
2014 — 2016
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