Spencer Fontenay
Director of Donor Relations @Monterey Bay Aquarium
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WORK HISTORY
Director of Donor Relations @Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey, CA, US
Works closely with senior leadership to help grow the Leadership Council and Packards’ Circle donor-giving programs\' annual contributions of $10M or more annually in contributed revenue. • Leads and is directly responsible for providing strategic oversight of a six-person philanthropy team that successfully meets and exceeds annual goals.• Personally manages a portfolio of major donors, including those at the six and seven-figure gift level. • Personally exceeded both the 2025 and 2024 individual $3M annual giving goals by successfully increasing gifts to secure over $4.5M in donations annually. • Creates meaningful connections and mission-driven partnerships with donors and successfully moves donors to higher giving levels. Over 25% of my donor portfolio have decided to increase their giving since 2020. • Develops and implements strategies for personal and team communication, cultivation, engagement, connection, solicitation, and stewardship of annual donors with special emphasis on building mission-driven philanthropic partnerships and increasing annual support; builds strategies to meet those goals; regularly monitors and reports results to leadership.• Manages Donor Relations Officer team of five and a Development Data Analyst; manages day-to-day operations of the team and their work; conducts weekly ESD (Employee Support and Development) meetings and annual performance conversations. Recruits, hires and trains new staff as needed.• Proactively identifies donors for increased giving or major gift consideration to VP of Development; develops and implements action plans for these donors as needed.• Served on the senior-level Community Engagement and Outreach Committee creating mission-driven strategic outreach initiatives.
EDUCATION
Emerson College
Bachelor's degree
SKILLS
ABOUT SPENCER FONTENAY
Results-driven Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) who helps non-profits and philanthropists advance great causes through excellence in donor-centric fundraising practice. Fundraising, Finance, Budget, and Operations Management professional with over 25 years of experience, including 15 consecutive years of YOY success in the non-profit sector. Proven track record in developing successful, collaborative solutions that result in strong, long-term advancement partnerships in service to the growth of mission-focused institutions. Strengths include strategic and operational planning, empathetic relationship skills, expertise in team building, efficient program development, change management, conflict mitigation, adaptability, and institutional planning and budgeting. Focused on the design and implementation of aspirational strategies with exceptional long-term benefits to institutions. Areas of expertise include YOY growth with annual fund campaigns, major donor relationships, gift planning, donor appreciation, cultivation and stewardship, communications, budgeting, board development, special event operations, mentorship, and community-building programs.
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