Sara Giacalone

About Sara Giacalone

I lead at the intersection of relationships, systems, and strategy, helping organizations focus their time and energy on the work that actually improves fundraising outcomes.

Experience

1. Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations

   Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association

   Jan 2021 — Present · Madison, WI, US

   I provide leadership for WFAA/Campus decision-making and strategy implementation related to fundraising and stewardship.A key team member of the multi-year Salesforce/Affinaquest transition project, I serve as a designer and subject matter expert on fundraising and stewardship systems and processes. My expertise supports change management, process improvement, and ongoing oversight.I collaborate closely with WFAA Leadership, Development staff, and Campus Partners to create robust systems to streamline stewardship and fundraising efforts.As a manager, I am dedicated to fostering growth and supporting individual interests and career progression while guiding us toward achieving our shared goalsAdditionally, I lead the annual strategic plan and budget process for Central Stewardship, ensuring our initiatives are aligned with organizational objectives and resources.As an AI enthusiast I am leveraging generative AI to create efficiencies in day-to-day operations, driving innovation and excellence in the nonprofit space.

Education

• Loyola University Chicago

  BA in Management/Minor in Business Communication, Management

  2009 — 2012

• The Art Institutes

  Graphic Arts

  2001 — 2002

• New Mexico State University

  Graphic Arts

  2003 — 2004

Skills

• Project Planning
• Policy
• Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign
• Nonprofits
• Sponsorship
• Imis
• Strategic Planning
• Editing
• Event Management
• Meeting Planning
• Non-Profit Administration
• Program Development
• Management
• Project Management
• Constantcontact
• Leadership
• Press Releases
• Membership Development
• Real Magnet
• Social Networking
• Strategic Communications
• Association Management
• Social Media
• Budgets
• Recruiting
• Newsletters
• Non-Profit Board Management
• Social Media Marketing
• Membership Relations
• Yourmembership
• Marketing Communications
• Membership Growth
• Strategy
• Volunteer Management
• Membership Building
• Fundraising
• Event Planning
• Constant Contact
• Public Relations
• Microsoft: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook