Andrew G. Schmidt

1170 Virginia Avenue NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30306
404 - 939 - 1170
agschmidt@gmail.com

CAREER SUMMARY

Experiences in higher education, arts and culture, and humanitarian organizations have provided me with the knowledge and expertise to be a well-rounded nonprofit professional. My fundraising duties have included annual fund management, database administration, face-to-face solicitations, major gift fundraising, event planning, and donor stewardship. Status as adjunct faculty has enhanced my full-time role in the advancement and support of higher education.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Communication                                              Georgia State University                      Present
College of Arts and Sciences 

Master of Business Administration                         Kennesaw State University                  2011
Michael J. Coles College of Business                           

Master of Arts in Professional Writing                   Kennesaw State University                  2009
College of Humanities and Social Sciences                        

Bachelor of Science, Political Science                     Kennesaw State University                  2005
College of Humanities and Social Sciences                           
Certificate – Alternative Dispute Resolution

EXPERIENCE AND RELEVANT SKILLS

  • Over 8 years of direct fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector
  • Successful major donor solicitation of gifts over $20,000 and maintenance of a portfolio with over 1,000 active donors; donor prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship
  • Extensive Raiser’s Edge experience including advanced reporting and querying
  • Overall annual fund expertise including internal and external procedures, direct mail, and copywriting
  • Website maintenance and content development; knowledge of social media and online giving best practices
  • Capital and annual campaign management, development, integration, and implementation
  • Notable graduate courses: strategic marketing, managerial communications, proposal and grant writing, writing for the web, managerial finance, and business strategy

ASSOCIATIONS, SERVICE, AND AWARDS

  • 2012 National Philanthropy Day® Steering Committee; Co-chair, Publication Committee
  • 2011 National Philanthropy Day® Steering Committee; Co-chair, Publication Committee
  • Member, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Atlanta Chapter
  • Member, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
  • Member, Georgia Education Advancement Council
  • Member, Association for Conflict Resolution, Georgia Chapter
  • Ambassador and Member, Atlanta Future Leaders in Higher Education
  • Essay Rater, Regents' Testing Program, USG Board of Regents
  • Graduate, CASE Summer Institute in Educational Fundraising 2010
  • Registered Neutral, Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution
  • President, Virginia Condos HOA, 2008-present
  • Recipient, W. Wyman Pilcher, Jr. Scholarship 2009-2010

EMPLOYMENT

Development Officer                                                                                  
Southern Polytechnic State University                                                       
Marietta, Georgia
May 2010-Present

  • Implementation and management of annual giving programs including direct mail, Phonathon, social media integration, faculty/staff campaign, and special appeals
  • Donor recognition and stewardship of capital and annual campaign gifts

Development Officer, Individual Support                                                 
The Atlanta Botanical Garden                                                                    
Atlanta, Georgia
March 2008-July 2009

  • Donor solicitation and cultivation of major gifts to the Garden including New Seasons Capital Campaign gifts, Arbor, Magnolia, and Orchid Circle gifts $2,500-$10,000 with total revenue from these levels approaching $500,000
  • Planning and execution of all member benefits including domestic and international travel opportunities, large and small cultivation and solicitation events, and expert tours of the Garden for guests

Associate Director, Annual Fund                                                               
The Carter Center                                                                                           
Atlanta, Georgia
March 2007-March 2008

  • Donor solicitation and cultivation of Ambassadors Circle gifts of $1,000-$25,000 with total annual giving to the program increasing to over $7 million
  • Annual Fund mailings and analysis

Development Project Coordinator                                                             
Kennesaw State University                                                                             
Kennesaw, Georgia
April 2003-March 2007

  • Directed KSU Phonathon program; implemented new call center technology
  • Assisted with Annual Fund mailings and solicitations; special events: the annual Bagwell Ball, President’s Dinner, Dot Martin Golf Tournament, and other fundraising and social events

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Professor                                                                                       
Southern Polytechnic State University
 Marietta, Georgia
August 2010-Present

  • Technical Writing, TCOM 2010 – Covers the basic organization, style, and mechanics of technical writing. The course includes practice in producing such typical technical documents as descriptions, instructions, proposals, and reports

PUBLICATIONS AND CITATIONS