Sarah Conner-Smith

Current

Director of Philanthropy Operations at Feeding America

Past

Director of Development Research at The University of Chicago
Associate Director of Development Research at Stanford University
Manager of Stewardship and Information at California Pacific Medical Center Foundation

Development Research Officer at San José State University
Research Analyst at University of California, Berkeley

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Education

Pacific School of Religion
Earlham College

Recommended

8 people have recommended Sarah

Connections

213 connections

Industry

Philanthropy

Websites

InFomentation

Sarah Conner-Smith’s Summary

I am a seasoned development professional with a breadth of experience in fundraising, specializing in development research, donor recognition, and prospect management.

Sarah Conner-Smith’s Specialties:

• Research and analysis
• Donor stewardship
• Knowledge management
• Team-building and training

Sarah Conner-Smith’s Experience

Director of Philanthropy Operations

Feeding America

(Non-Profit; Civic & Social Organization industry)

July 2009 — Present (1 month)
Director of Development Research

The University of Chicago

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

November 2007 — April 2009 (1 year 6 months)

• Achieved a 35% increase in the major-plus rated population through new methods of prospect identification and evaluation.
• Established a liaison model for partnerships with campus fundraisers and research analysts.
• Executed an electronic screening and revaluation of the prospect pool.
• Designed and formalized prospect research products.
• Implemented processes for prospect data collection, analysis, and codification.
• Managed a staff of eleven research professionals.
Associate Director of Development Research

Stanford University

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

December 2004 — October 2007 (2 years 11 months)

• Executed a comprehensive electronic screening of 100,000 constituent records.
• Partnered with frontline staff to build cultivation strategies for top prospects.
• Managed vendor relationships, resource acquisitions, and departmental budget.
• Edited monthly departmental newsletter of newly identified and re-rated prospects.
• Organized prospect research orientation for new development staff.
• Collaborated with Information Technology department to design database functionality and reporting.
Manager of Stewardship and Information

California Pacific Medical Center Foundation

(Fund-Raising industry)

July 2002 — December 2004 (2 years 6 months)

• Managed public donor recognition, including creating donor lists for the annual report and updating the Donor Honor Roll wall.
• Facilitated the Foundation’s Ambassador Program for VIP patients.
• Directed prospect research and information systems.
• Developed and maintained prospect tracking and rating systems.
Development Research Officer

San José State University

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

November 1998 — July 2002 (3 years 9 months)
Research Analyst

University of California, Berkeley

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

1996 — 1998 (2 years)

Additional Information

Sarah Conner-Smith’s Websites:

InFomentation

Sarah Conner-Smith’s Interests:

Philanthropy, fundraising, information management, social media and networking tools, citizen journalism, writing, yoga, theology and spirituality, knitting, marriage equality, civil rights activism, sustainability, local economies, food and cooking.