Joan Woods

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Development & Communications Consultant with over 25 years of nonprofit fundraising and communications experience

My background includes work with small and mid-sized nonprofits in the Washington, DC region, including The Enterprise Foundation, Martha’s Table, Bright Beginnings and many others. I have extensive expertise in foundation and corporate fundraising (including sponsorships), special events, individual and major donor fundraising, direct mail and membership acquisition. Additionally, I have expertise in high-level communications execution and planning (keynote speeches, talking points, interview prep, etc. as well as brand management and communications collateral) that impacts fundraising. I am passionate about helping nonprofits to strengthen their fundraising and communications operations and make measurable progress in increasing institutional gifts and major donor support and growing visibility and traditional and new media attention.

 

Highlights of my experience:

  • Served as Vice President, Development and Communications for the Kakenya Center of Excellence, an international nonprofit/NGO.

  • Served as Director of Development at Martha’s Table during an intense expansion of its vision and mission -- helping the new CEO grow private fundraising from $2.8 to $7.4 million in two years.

  • Served as chief fundraiser for many progressive nonprofit organizations addressing poverty and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable, including Bright Beginnings, a nationally recognized child development and family services center for homeless children; Peace x Peace (Peace by Peace) an international women’s organization, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, a faith-based coalition for reproductive justice and a national crime victim agency.

  • Held increasingly responsible program, fundraising and administrative positions with national housing and community development nonprofits such as Enterprise Business Partners (then called the Enterprise Foundation) and the Georgetown University Law Center’s Harrison Institute.

  • Supports a variety of small nonprofits, such as Stone Soup Films, The High Tea Society and Family Restoration and Healing Center with development, communications and organizational development consulting services.

Before my nonprofit career, I worked as a newspaper reporter and/or bureau chief for daily newspapers. I am a proud Bison with a B.A. in Journalism from Howard University.