Amy Abramson
Freelance/Contract Experience at Development and Client Relations
Education | Arts | Alumni Relations | Development
Creative collaborator focused on higher education, foundations, corporate giving and large educational, science, arts, service and health-related companies and organizations. 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Strategic Planning
Corporate/Community Relations 
Grant Writing/Management
Stewardship/Client Services
Fundraising
Alumni Relations
Event Planning
Volunteer Recruitment/Supervision
Development and Client Relations
Freelance/Contract Experience
Chinese Fine Arts Society, Communications/Production Coordinator
• Drafted and edited 6-8 marketing pieces promoting Jackie Chan’s Kung Fu Beijing Troupe.
• Wrote and tracked communications for five-school educational event (275 attendees).
• Produced seven public and VIP events with civic, government, and nonprofit partners.

Metropolitan Family Services, Grant Writer								
•	Wrote 21-part grant application for MacArthur Foundation $100M competition, 100&change.
•	Achieved top 801 among 7,069 competition registrants.
•	Analyzed research and managed deadlines, technology and feedback from seven staff.

Sotheby’s, Fine Arts Administrator						 
• Handled sensitive communications for high net worth art collectors.
• Coordinated contracts, property and logistics for four auctions.
• Operated as first contact for public (10-15 inquiries/week).

Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Donation Processor and Communications Editor 
• Edited content for seven impact areas (e.g., education, health, child welfare) for 13 funds. 
• Used Raiser’s Edge to create acknowledgements for up to 1,100 donors/day from ten funds.

Ravinia Festival, Development Writer and Editor, Major Gifts and Foundations
• Researched content for grant, foundation and individual proposals, updates and appeals.
• Wrote acknowledgements, fellowship letters and appeals for $10,000-$50,000+ Circle. 

Rush Hour Concerts, Corporate Relations Consultant						
• Researched and wrote prospect reports and proposals.
 • Managed grant deadlines and wrote letters of inquiry/intent.
• Resulted in board member, new connections to financial institutions and $3,4000 in funds.

River North Dance Chicago, Development Manager	
• Proofed budgets and grant proposals, fed content to grant writer, wrote foundation updates.
• Engaged program officers and board members on behalf of Executive Director.
• Led individual giving (6,000+ donors), raising $17,260.
Greater Chicago Area
The University of Chicago/Smith College
Higher Education Experience
The University of Chicago Alumni Careers Committee, Strategic Planner
• Wrote solicitation letters for 25-30 volunteer career experts for six networking events.
•  Engaged 350+ alumni, with 15 to 200  attendees per event. 

The University of Chicago Social Sciences Division, Speaker					 
• Spoke to 40+ graduate students on "Career Diversity for Social Scientists” panel.
• Shared stories, career advice and resources and connected with students post-event.

The University of Chicago College Admissions Office, Reader					   	 
• Evaluated 250+ domestic/international student applications for admission and financial aid.
• Learned about young adults from various regions, cultures and educational systems.

Chicago Smith Club, Vice President and Seven Sisters Liaison 
• Organized "class of"/family-oriented alumni events, partnered with Ivies and other schools.
• Negotiated budget and coordinated vendors, food, RSVPs and communications.
Greater Chicago Area
Nonprofit Organizations
Select Pro Bono Development Work
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Raiser's Edge Project Manager
• Researched and coded information for 2,000+ individual and organizational constituents. 

BackStage Theater Company, Assistant Development Director
• Solicited opening night sponsor ($2,500 gift) and managed closing night budget ($1,500). 
• Secured fundraising auction items ($1,000+ total).
• Re-launched annual fund, resulting in 44 donors ($7,500 total) with five major gifts ($250+).

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Fundraising Mentor Captain, Team in Training
• Received “best fundraising mentor” award.
• Led 280-person volunteer fundraising team.
• Mentees raised over $20,000 in four months, 30% over fundraising requirement.
• Personally raised $20,000+ as a charity athlete for eight campaigns.
• Participated in five marathons, four triathlon and one Century over six years.
• Wrote weekly fundraising email reports and newsletters.
University, Liberal Arts and Professional Institutions
Educator
• Taught 100+ undergraduate and graduate students.
• Presented research related to social development, gender and middle childhood.
• Mentored students, collaborated with faculty and managed classroom dynamics.
Chicago and Beloit, WI
Human Development
Ph.D.
University of Chicago
https://www.linkedin.com/school/uchicago/
• Wrote grants (NSF, Dept of Education, Searle Funds/Chicago Community Trust). 
• Awarded $108,000 in research grants and academic fellowships.  
• Taught Advanced Professional Writing. 
• Solicited subjects and created and analyzed large database using SYSTAT.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQHbp_dv8CAlpQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1596203153156?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=EukebTIATeA8f0h0B6lpma_qu64wciGIjkzWK4kUfiQ
Doctoral student, Psychology
Harvard University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/harvard-university/
•	Managed Harvard Project on Women's Psychology and Girls' Development. 
•	Liaised between high profile faculty member and nationwide faculty consortium.
•	Addressed public inquiries, created brochures, and distributed publications. 
•	Mentored at-risk adolescent girls for Project Athena/Center for Ventures in Girls' Education.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQF5t62bcL0e9g/company-logo_100_100/0/1519855919126?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=5fyYqKTduVNijdmIxPJbYS5CjT2Ox3Jkb7aOaa7bBGY
Psychology with additional studies in Anthropology and Linguistics. 
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Honors. Junior Year at Wesleyan University
Smith College
https://www.linkedin.com/school/smithcollege/
• Played Division III varsity sports for six seasons. 
• Tested language development among pre-K and deaf children for two Psychology faculty.
• Interned in media planning at Young & Rubicam New York.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQFu1fnqOFaiJQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1581371007401?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=7O5s_e8_cqm_788wwq7zRKTpF4XSP69TtwZckyLFfx8
Toastmasters
Member
Have held nearly all Toastmaster's meeting roles, including Toastmaster, Joke Master, Grammarian, Time Keeper and Speech Evaluator.
Chainlink
Member
Recovered stolen bikes through volunteer subgroup (2010-2011).
The University of Chicago Alumni Club of Chicago - Careers Committee
http://www.careers.uchicagoalumni.org/article.html?aid=192
Social Sciences Division - Emerging Leaders Initiative
One of eight panelists invited to speak on "Career Diversity for Social Scientists."
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0CVqSe9053xV2QwaG54a2N0R00/view?usp=sharing
Human Rights
Friends of the North Branch Park & Nature Preserve
Community Organizer
•	Friends of the Parks 2019 VIP (Volunteers-in-Parks) Advocacy Award. 
•	Advocated for citywide public green space along the Chicago River.
•	Testified at City Hall and at other community events.
•	Wrote letters to public officials. 
•	Helped create strategic planning and execute plans on-site.
•	Liaised with allies advocating for housing, education, small business, transit.
•	Completed Chicago United for Equity (CUE) facilitation training.
•	Participated in Racial Equity Impact Assessment of mega-developments.
Animal Welfare
Chicago Animal Care & Control
Volunteer
•	Registered 100+ cats and dogs at monthly high volume, low-cost vaccine clinic.
•	Served pet owners from local community, in Spanish and English.
•	Tended to 100+ dogs as part of weekly in-kennel enrichment (IKE) team.
•	Worked with cat and dog adopters.
•	Fostered CACC cats and dogs.
•	Walked dogs, played with cats.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-l-brunnbauer
Jessica L Brunnbauer
Administrative Professional | Operations Support | Data Entry | Mental Health Advocate
Sheboygan Falls, WI
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-von-ferstel-a77045b
Alexandra von Ferstel
General Counsel at Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC
New York, NY
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurkewicz
Katie Yurkewicz
Science Writer and Communicator
Batavia, IL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleyelundeen
Lesley Lundeen
Well-Being Manager at Northwestern University
Greater Chicago Area
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-katcher-23700a88
Melissa Katcher
Freelance Model
United States
https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabel-wall-398812138
Isabel Wall
Special Education Teacher at Pierrepont Upper Elementary School in Rutherford School District
Carlstadt, NJ
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-prohaska-137b6072
Deb Prohaska
Nuclear Inventory Administrator in Procurement
Greater Augusta Area
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-witt-cpa-115a705
Zach Witt, CPA
Vice President - Senior Tax Manager at Bessemer Trust
Deerfield, IL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/traci-panizzi
Traci Panizzi
Director of Finance at Braven
Chicago, IL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-farrar-7675a62a
Donna Farrar
Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Special Educator VA certified: ID, ED, SLD, SD, VI
Orange, VA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-garrison-funderburk-9237693b
Kelly Garrison-Funderburk
1988 Olympian, Women’s Gymnastics Color Commentator
Edmond, OK
https://www.linkedin.com/in/micky-baer-52035425
Micky Baer
Executive Director at Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
Deerfield, IL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-ercoli-27164236
Gina Ercoli
Director, Accounting at Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago
Greater Chicago Area
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenhattenbach
Ellen Hattenbach
Executive Director of Illinois at Jewish National Fund-USA
United States
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-reynolds-862a184
Meredith Reynolds
Owner, Head Start College
La Canada Flintridge, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-siegel1
Andrea Siegel, CPA
Account Manager at New World Natural Brands
Greater Chicago Area
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-rankin-04
Emily Rankin
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Development, UC Riverside, Chair-elect CASE District VII Cabinet at Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Riverside, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-frew-3475769
David Frew
Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations at Boston University Questrom School of Business
Boston, MA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkevinhurst
Kevin Hurst
Corporate Philanthropy, Communications, Public Relations, and Employee Engagement
United States
Maria Kellner, M.S.
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        Amy is very passionate about causes that are important to her, and this comes through in her work. Her friendly demeanor allows for successful interactions with everyone from patrons to volunteers to VIP donors. She is extremely detailed and thorough when it comes to fundraising and development, and eager to pitch in whenever/wherever to help the team succeed. Amy has a wealth of volunteer experiences with several cause-related organizations of various sizes, adding to her professional development experience.  Tovah Domenick
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        Amy Abramson was a wonderful mentor to incoming participants of the Team In Training program.  She truly cared about each volunteer she worked with and worked with them to customize a fundraising plan to help them succeed in their fundraising goals.  Amy was very passionate about the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and always had a can-do attitude!
Vornado's theMART: Still Relevant at 90
https://www.linkedin.com/signup/cold-join
Liked by Amy Abramson
https://lnkd.in/gVHCAPJ
https://www.linkedin.com/signup/cold-join
Shared by Amy Abramson
So yesterday I became an AMERICAN 🇺🇸  officially! It’s so hard to put my feelings in words. I feel so happy, honered, proud! 5 years and 7 months…
https://www.linkedin.com/signup/cold-join
Liked by Amy Abramson
Amy Holtzapple
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyholtzapple
Sales and Business Integration Coordinator at The Walt Disney Company
Orlando, FL
Amy Abramson
https://ca.linkedin.com/in/amyabramson17
Social Media Manager, Sporting Life
Toronto, ON
Amy Abramson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-abramson-05ba044
CPA at TFMG, LLC
White Plains, NY
Amy Abramson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyabramson
Accounting and Finance Consultant
Davis, CA
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E07AQHpEw1x_ixQJg/group-logo_image-shrink_92x92/0/1645817967475?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=KEOFo762FTGlVg3uX5cFQp0tb7VFNRQLIgMSlTG0lYY
Smith Business Network: Careers, Connection, Community
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4385379
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQFw1j_N9neKag/group-logo_image-shrink_92x92/0/1630998891581?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=TpkgLRPlHPqoWNl-ekr2jQlEjrlQXVUsliurxnlbMe0
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1538517
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C5607AQF26hxDJETbmA/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631428804427?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=5e10Io6lqEMRCYfqpSTWe6ENbgfTUpehEHZ9toxPSW0
YOU are the LIGHT!
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7300844
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E07AQERSPnjTRw79A/group-logo_image-shrink_92x92/0/1631007553602?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=naJiDBNUiWwDO2fNFPFldU52OT6XIB2SmvJofDXnyac
Smith College Alumnae of Chicago
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2331911
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQGG8LaLwDSWbw/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631366696341?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=5uuVqrjtADNQgp6A3m_6K--nnew2E8N27TPSF4rydqI
Chicago Women in Philanthropy (CWIP)
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2839853
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQF2WhRdz4ChcA/group-logo_image-shrink_92x92/0/1631009175305?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=vvy21Qjqo4NDBORYGWZoS2opYMOzcr6IMA7QKBg11ec
The University of Chicago Alumni
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/71846
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQEmyWDbEZT-WA/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631375089459?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=aqlTmthbxy7fI2vJOV-DzwgRuMZafHlL2cA0ycptusM
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1188667
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C5607AQFvRnnMgQmTxw/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631438073441?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=BHC05801kYXkaFtFAeri5APQJoXnWRuxb37wHlepnh0
Chicago Foundation for Women
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2777319
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQEDxYfoDtydhw/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631361071130?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=2lHxqEzAaxsdnY9vO1ydsKu5rYiL_sIdh-dVLvSVOd4
Smith College
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/83564
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQHC-d2sfKpLFg/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631362218910?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=HWVQXe2J0WjAZY_EKOs5DcLERY-qTh5hdsmNMdAiNTc
Nonprofit & Philanthropy Jobs, Powered by ImpactFlow
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1227037
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQFjCUqN3N7wDA/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631357919069?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=WOH_Ey8HizcWzP9s95ZDleR8xmu9HogohFidM9yzSIs
Smith College - Working or Volunteering for Non-Profits
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2779621
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E07AQH7H7LNDYr4Dw/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631005037472?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=bDNeZRudXeoM8SK2DRwHhb7rw2UnWezC0ETeHClBvxg
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Chicago Chapter
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1926283
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E07AQHnCTi-vopZyQ/group-logo_image-shrink_92x92/0/1630996310833?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=SaWYjCDi77tSVUVMzAGz-GHi1dZm7ZV5du-Za_sUfgo
NorthShore Executive Networking Group (NSENG)
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4788306
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQGvcdelNm7g6w/group-logo_image-shrink_92x92/0/1525133187025?e=1647687600&v=beta&t=swvtQ44RMkvvwI4N-_0x2ZzvyiR1CgYI1dIVHwFY-dQ
Seven Sisters Alumn Club
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/157470