Laurie Respass

Dynamic nonprofit fundraising professional with 25+ years of experience planning and executing large-scale fundraising events, cultivating corporate sponsors, managing volunteer programs, and developing multi-channel communications that drive attendance, engagement, and revenue. Proven ability to lead all phases of gala and community walk/run events—from strategy and logistics through vendor management, on-site execution, and post-event evaluation. CFRE-certified with a strong commitment to equity-centered fundraising and mission-driven community impact.

Development Manager / Special Events & Development Officer / Special Events & Volunteer Officer at Chinese American Service League (2018-07 – 2026-06)

Planned and executed fundraising, cultivation, and community engagement events with budgets ranging from $25,000 to $250,000+, including galas, auctions, sponsorship packages, and multi-stakeholder donor experiences.

• Partnered with leadership and frontline fundraisers to support annual philanthropic revenue exceeding $4 million, including direct oversight of fundraising events generating $500,000+ annually.
• Produced fundraising videos, appeal materials, event collateral, and mission-focused digital content to drive attendance, donor engagement, and revenue across multiple channels.
• Created and managed volunteer recruitment, onboarding, screening, and coordination systems—including training and day-of management processes—for individual and corporate volunteers supporting events and programs.
• Cultivated and managed corporate sponsor relationships, overseeing benefit fulfillment, stewardship communications, and engagement opportunities to strengthen long-term partnerships.
• Conducted wealth screenings, prospect research, and donor profiling to support pipeline development, sponsor cultivation, and in-kind partnership identification.
• Served as staff liaison to the Associate Board, coordinating cross-functionally with communications, programs, and leadership to align event messaging, fundraising goals, and community engagement strategies.
• Designed and implemented donor stewardship plans, personalized recognition strategies, and impact communications to strengthen retention and event-related engagement.
• Developed fundraising dashboards, reports, and standard operating procedures to support data integrity, event performance tracking, and strategic decision-making.

Donor Relations Manager / Donor Relations & Events Manager / Development Manager / Volunteer & Data Systems Manager at Deborah's Place (2011-12 – 2018-04)

Directed fundraising and stewardship events, managing budgets, sponsorships, volunteer committees, vendor logistics, and donor experiences from planning through on-site execution and post-event follow-up.

• Developed donor communications, appeals, and event materials rooted in equity-centered and trauma-informed messaging, ensuring consistent alignment with organizational mission and voice.
• Developed volunteer engagement and management systems supporting recruitment, onboarding, training, and day-of coordination for fundraising events and community programs.
• Cultivated and stewarded corporate, foundation, and individual donors through coordinated engagement, solicitation, and recognition strategies tied to event milestones and fundraising campaigns.
• Managed annual fundraising campaigns, donor communications, and stewardship initiatives, supporting mission-driven revenue growth for an organization serving women experiencing homelessness.
• Managed Raiser's Edge database administration, gift processing, reporting, event registration, and data integrity initiatives.
• Established and led a Young Professionals Board, including recruitment, governance support, fundraising expectations, and event committee facilitation.
• Partnered with marketing and communications staff to develop print, digital, web, and event marketing materials.

Development Coordinator at Junior League of Chicago (2006-12 – 2011-11)

Directed volunteer-driven fundraising initiatives across nine committees, supporting organizational development and philanthropic goals.

• Managed volunteer recruitment, training, engagement, and leadership development for more than 30 committee members annually.
• With the volunteer committees, planned and executed six or more annual fundraising and stewardship events, overseeing logistics, sponsorships, budgets, and volunteer coordination.
• Delivered development and fundraising training programs to approximately 1,500 volunteer members.
• Collaborated with organizational leadership to strengthen fundraising operations, communications, and volunteer engagement strategies.

Marketing & Special Events Coordinator / Volunteer & Development Systems Coordinator / Development Assistant at Gads Hill Center (2002-09 – 2006-07)

Managed donor database administration, reporting, gift processing, and constituent communications using DonorPerfect.

• Coordinated fundraising, volunteer, and stewardship events, including donor recognition and community engagement activities.
• Recruited, trained, and coordinated volunteers to support agency programs, events, and fundraising initiatives.
• Generated reports and maintained donor records to ensure data integrity and support organizational decision-making.

Marketing/MIS Manager at Support Center of Chicago (2000-08 – 2002-05)

• Designed and managed an organization-wide MS Access database supporting registration, membership, volunteer, marketing, and payment tracking functions.
• Designed and maintained the organization's website and course catalog, improving access to training and membership information.
• Coordinated marketing communications and technology initiatives supporting nonprofit capacity-building programs.

Bachelor of Science in Marketing – University of Illinois at Chicago (2000-05)

Certificate in Nonprofit Management – University of Illinois at Chicago (2022-03)