Marcy Sperry

In addition to being an artist, I am a development professional with six years of experience working in institutional fundraising in Chicago and New York. In addition to my knowledge of the arts and culture sector in New York, I have a strong background libraries, holding a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Illinois. I specialize in grant writing, prospect research, and database management.

Employment History

March 2012 - present
Development Manager for Institutional Projects | Center for Jewish History, New York, NY

• Worked with the Director of Institutional Advancement and Chief Operating Officer to raise $2 million annually from foundation, corporate, and government funders at the leading Jewish research institution in the United States 

June 2011 – March 2012
Senior Grant Writer | DOROT, New York, NY

• Worked with the Director of Foundations & Corporations to raise $1.9 million annually from foundation, corporate, and government funders
• Secured new funding including the agency’s first federal grant and a major new multi-year foundation grant
• Created an improved system to track and report on institutional funders in Raiser’s Edge

September 2010 – June 2011
Institutional Giving Coordinator | American Folk Art Museum, New York, NY

• Managed all grant writing, reporting, and prospect research at the world’s preeminent museum dedicated to American folk art and the work of contemporary self-taught artists. Worked with the Director of Development to raise $1 million from foundation, corporate, and government funders
• Secured new foundation funding, including major grants from Ford Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies

August 2009 – September 2010
Institutional Funding Coordinator | Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY

• Wrote, submitted, and tracked grant reports and GOS/Program/Corporate Membership proposals; assisted with the development of corporate sponsorship materials
• Managed prospect research via print/web sources and databases (Foundation Center, Lexis Nexis, etc.)

September 2007 – August 2009
Database Manager | The General Theological Seminary, Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni/ae Affairs, New York, NY

• Financial reporting on all donations; routine database management

December 2005 – August 2007
Development Assistant | Art Encounter, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston IL

• Wrote and submitted LOIs, proposals, and reports to corporations and foundations
• Developed new senior outreach program, Hats Off For Art, and secured initial funding
• Produced new version of website: artencounter.org

July 2004 – December 2005
Program Director | Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, Chicago IL

• Managed all aspects of outreach education programming
• Provided administrative support for Executive and Associate Directors; supervised Program Coordinator, Gallery Assistant/s, and all volunteers
• Created and maintained new version of website: art.org

Education

• MSLIS, Master of Science in Library and Information Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• MAAE, Master of Arts in Art Education, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• BA, Art, Minor in English, University of Charleston

Skills

• Demonstrated ability with managing data in Raiser’s Edge and Crystal Reports
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Publisher)
• Highly skilled in Adobe Photoshop
• Excellent grant writer with a proven track record of success
• Strong research skills
• Strong proofreading and copy editing skills