STEPHANIE STRAFFI

New York, NY 10023 | 212.362.8718 (h) | 917.922.7172 (c) | sstraffi@nyc.rr.com

FUNDRAISING / OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT IN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Experienced principal gifts fundraiser and administrator with 20 years experience in the New York City higher education arena. Successful track record in managing office operations, working with staff, volunteers, and key institutional leaders, and raising/closing gifts at the 7-figure level. Highly proficient in building relationships with all constituencies which reflects both a personal and professional commitment to an ethical code of conduct and good faith practices. Particular strengths in: Proactively working, through moves management, a portfolio of prospects at the $5 million+ level; Creating cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for major and principal gifts; Working in a fast-paced and multi-layered Campaign environment with tight deadlines and ambitious financial goals; Preparing creative and compelling written communications that document an institutions case for support; Matching an institutional need to a donors interest which helps to deepen the relationship and can lead to increased financial commitment over time; Keeping donors engaged in the life of the institution and demonstrating how their support makes a difference. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), New York, NY

Director of Individual and Planned Giving, Development Department Implemented new individual giving program to increase the number and size of contributions from individuals who were high-end donors or who had been identified as prospective major donors. Identified, cultivated, solicited, and stewarded annual gifts from individuals capable of giving in excess of $10,000. Oversaw the marketing and raising of planned gifts, with a focus on bequests and charitable gift annuities. Collaborated with the Director of Direct Mail and Individual Giving in an analysis of the donor database to seek out new major gift prospects and to structure appropriate strategies for building relationships.
Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY

July 2012 June 2013

Principal Gifts Officer, Office of Institutional Advancement Managed portfolio of 100 prospects at $5 million+ level to help complete Weill Cornells $1.3 billion Discoveries that Make a Difference Campaign. Created cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies and closed key gifts in the area of neurology and neuroscience. Partnered with senior staff, faculty, and volunteer leadership to develop principal gift opportunities. Raised/closed $10 million in gifts and pledges during fiscal year 2011-2012.
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 2005-2011

March 2011 June 2012

Director of Principal Gifts, Office of Development and External Affairs (2006-2011) Director of Major Gifts, Office of Development and External Affairs (2005-2006) Developed both long- and short-range plans to strengthen and grow major gifts program. Identified, cultivated, solicited, and stewarded prospects through visits and written communications.

Planned and implemented strategies for prospects at the $50,000+ level for a personal portfolio of roughly 150 individuals; provided strategies, briefing materials, proposals, and acknowledgments for the President and Vice President as needed. Achieved $1 million in closed gifts in fiscal year 2010-2011.
Bank Street College of Education, New York, NY

Acting Dean, Development and Alumni Relations, Division of External Affairs (2003-2004) With co-dean, oversaw a staff of 26 and the successful conclusion of the $25 million Campaign for Bank Street. Managed annual $1.8 million operations budget and $500,000 campaign budget. Served as member of the Presidents Cabinet and as liaison to the Board of Trustees. Director of Development, Division of External Affairs (1999-2003) Oversaw annual fund, special events, and alumni relations activities, including supervision of 9 staff members. Collaborated with Dean of External Affairs on research needs, prospect management, and major gifts for The Campaign for Bank Street.
Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW), New York, NY 1991-1999

1999-2004

Assistant Dean and Director, Office of Development and Alumni Relations (1994-1999) Managed day-to-day operations for 3 departments: major gifts, annual fund, and alumni relations, as well as a staff of 10 and a $700,000 office budget. Along with the Dean, served as CUSSWs major gifts officer and oversaw Schools $22 million New Building Campaign; the successful completion of CUSSWs $7 million Endowment Campaign; and the Schools Centennial Celebration. Acting Director, Office of Development and Alumni Relations (1993-1994) Managed departmental operations and supervised a staff of 5 and 3 work-study students. Planned and participated in meetings and solicitations related to CUSSWs $7 million Endowment Campaign. Associate Director, Office of Development and Alumni Relations (1991-1993) Collaborated with Alumni Association President and attended meetings of Association committees, providing support and guidance for scholarship fundraising and alumni relations activities. Oversaw the Annual Fund and the Annual Alumni Conference.
PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE INCLUDES Queens College, City University of New York, Queens, NY, Office of Alumni Affairs, Director of Alumni Affairs Columbia University School of Law, New York, NY, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Executive Director, Columbia Law School Alumni Association and Alumni Relations Officer EDUCATION M.A., English and Comparative Literature, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY B.A., English, cum laude, Douglass College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Honors: Phi Beta Kappa; Kappa Delta Pi; Deans List COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS Fund Raising Day in New York Vice Chair, Operations (2007), Co-Chair, Volunteers Committee (2004-2006) Women in Financial Development, New York (WIDNY) Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)