Colleen P.

Toomey

www.colleentoomey.co | Twitter: @colleenptoomey | LinkedIn: Colleen Toomey Professional Experience Donor Relations Specialist | University of Washington | May 2012-Present Donor relations and content specialist for the College of Arts & Sciences, managing stewardship portfolio of approximately $14 million in private gifts annually. Produce philanthropic impact reports for the highest priority donors, oversee content and design production along with faculty and student outreach. Draft letters of thanks, condolence, and congratulations from dean, associate deans, and university provost when requested; brief College dean on major gifts, pledges and planned gifts. Scout private giving stories for College media, departmental websites, and central advancement media. Produce five major annual mailings, thanking donors who support priority funds in College. Manage internal analytics systems for major gifts and high-level stewardship, providing monthly and annual report to senior staff and associate dean. Consult academic department chairs on donor outreach materials, including content, design and production. Serve as liaison between department and UW Creative + Communication office. Assign and oversee donor relations and stewardship projects to administrative coordinator and student employees in key areas of database management, gift stewardship measurement, and donor giving profiles. Public Relations Intern | Weber Shandwick Seattle | Aug. 2011-Feb. 2012 Supported global technology practice at one of the largest publicly traded public relations agencies; Clients included Microsoft Media & Entertainment, Microsoft Partner Network, Motorola, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Managed daily media coverage reporting, drafted media analysis reports and executive briefs for clients. Drafted press releases, digital content and editorial bylines for executive clients. Pitched journalists in digital, print and broadcast media during client launches and global events. Supported new business initiatives through competitive analysis research, press kit development, and design reviews. Managed printing and mailing services with outside vendors.

 Public Relations Intern | Edelman Seattle | May 2011-July 2011 Supported digital practice for the largest private public relations agency in the world. Provided day-to-day social media community management on for clients Microsoft Consumer, Office for Mac, Washingtons Lottery and Savers/Value Village. Created editorial content for online media platform and replied to customer service needs or concerns. Drafted competitive analysis reports on social media efforts of main business competitors for Washingtons Lottery and Savers/Value Village. Provided in-depth analytical reports on online fan growth and interest in editorial content, products and special events. Authored weekly internal e-newsletter on industry news, sent to west coast division of Edelman. Public Relations Intern | Western Washington University | Aug. 2010-Dec. 2010 Covered university communications office main phone line, fielding media inquiries for communications director and staff. Drafted press releases, media advisories and feature stories for university communications office, university news blog, quarterly newsletters and annual report. Publicized all scholarship announcements, forwarding press releases to students hometown newspapers in Washington state and across the country. Wrote and edited key portions of universitys annual report in conjunction with publication director. Scouted timely news stories, interviewed faculty, students, and staff on topics such as academic research, residential life, community events, and cultural affairs. Donor Relations Support Staff | Western Wash. University | Sept. 2007-Dec. 2010 Supported donor relations practice in university foundation drafting annual thank you letters to university donors, on behalf of major gift officers campus wide. Maintained digital and physical files for scholarship and donor information, updated digital information in Microsoft Excel and Oracle Banner System databases used by advancement and scholarship personnel campus-wide. Supported special projects under the direction of major gift officers including constituent research, competitive reports on peer institutions endowment efforts and publications. Assisted with diverse university advancement events, both in preparation and during events on campus, at university presidents home and in other high-end venues.

 Pro Bono Communications & Outreach Experience

Obama for America/Jay Inslee for Governor, 2012 Volunteer at coordinated campaign office of Obama for America, Jay Inslee for Governor and Maria Cantwell for U.S. Senate. Supported media relations planning, event setup and execution, donor and voter outreach efforts.

Habitat for Humanity Whatcom County, 2009 Service-learning partner for Habitat for Humanitys Bellingham, Wash. office. Developed public relations and volunteer recruitment plan for Women Build program. Researched local housing policies and prospective funding for housing assistance. Wrote executive briefings on cost of living and housing affordability in Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Obama for America/WWU Obama Vikings, 2007-2008 Campus coordinator for independent student organization supporting Barack Obama, secured resource and financial support from Whatcom County Democrats and People for Christine Gregoire. Managed volunteer database, recruitment efforts, public canvassing and voter registration efforts. Worked with county and statewide organizations to host campus voter rally for 2,000 students and scheduled speeches by Gov. Christine Gregoire, Sen. Patty Murray, Rep. Rick Larsen and State Rep. Kelli Linville.

Professionally Published Work

Bellevue Scene Magazine, Bellingham Alive! Magazine, Klipsun Magazine, The Planet Magazine, The Western Front, Western Today News Blog, WWU Soundings Newsletter, Western Washington University Annual Report 2009-2010

Public Relations & Nonprofit Skills

Media advisories, press releases, fact sheets, executive briefs, media coverage reports, foundation annual reports, public surveys and research, database management, endowment reports, donor recognition letters, editorial columns

Professional Affiliations Education

City Club of Seattle, Public Relations Society of America-Puget Sound Chapter, Northwest Donor Relations Professionals

University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs, 2013-Present Graduate Non-Matriculate Student, Nonprofit Management Relevant Coursework: Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy (Fall 2013), Marketing for Nonprofits (Winter 2014), Public-Private Partnerships (Spring 2014)

Western Washington University 2007-2010 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism-Public Relations, Minors in French and Political Science Relevant Coursework: Public Relations Campaigns and Research, Advanced Public Relations Writing, Organizational Communication; Diversity, Mass Media & Social Change, Politics of Inequality