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DEANNA VIARS BOSSELMAN
fundrayzr@gmail.com s www.fundrayzr.com s 308-380-4169
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Strategy Execution | Fundraising | Business Development | Operations Management
Passionate, energetic, and outcome-driven leader with extensive experience positioning nonprofits
for greater financial solvency and operational effectiveness as a board member and fundraiser.
Well qualified with a master’s degree in nonprofit management and 20 years of strategic planning, program
management, and resource development experience. Servant leader well versed in setting a vision, motivating
staff, and securing resources and support. Service includes over 20 nonprofit boards. Proven to create pathways
to key centers of influence and cultivate relationships with major donors and supporters (individuals, corporations,
foundations). Areas of expertise include:
• Strategic Planning • Public Speaking and Education • Financial Management
• Grant Proposal Review and Development • Board Member Management • Sales/Marketing
• Fundraising/Event Planning
HIGHLIGHTED ACHIEVEMENTS
• Cultivating and Stewarding Gifts • Benchmarking Success
v Career includes 14 years in the for-profit sector, with 7 years in food service as a top-producing sales and
marketing specialist. Background includes experience as a financial advisor, trainer, and operations leader.
v Helped raise over $1Million dollars for nonprofit organizations through fundraising events.
v Successfully completed a rigorous nonprofit management master’s program that focused on the latest
evidence-based strategies and practices proven to help organizations achieve fundraising goals and program
effectiveness.
v Reviewed and analyzed grant proposals for several organizations. Awarded more than $250,000 to
nonprofits throughout the Midwest.
v Forged enduring relationships with the funding community, soliciting and cultivating individual ($1,000+) and
corporate ($5000+) major donors.
v Highly skilled in board recruitment, evaluation, and development. Coached and mentored associate and
development board members on fundraising approaches and best practices.
v Solicited and managed the activities of 49 chairpersons for the Cattlemen's Ball, Nebraska's largest traveling
fundraiser. The event drew over 3,000 participants and raised nearly $500,000.
v Current and youngest member of the Board of Directors for the Museum of Nebraska Art. Serve on the
Development and Collections Committees. Developed an annual fundraising plan.
v Founding and current member of the Board of Directors for FIG: Fashion Institute Guild (part of Fashion
Institute Midwest). Serve as Member-at-Large; advise on fundraising and policies.
EDUCATION AND ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY
Master of Science, Nonprofit Management 2016
Relevant Coursework:
Foundations of Fundraising
Developing New Ideas
International Fundraising
Major Gifts
Annual Campaigns
Board Governance
Planned Giving
Portfolio Management
Grant Proposal Writing
Nonprofit Financial Management
Managing Human Behavior
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY, Huntington, WV
Bachelor of Business Administration, Focus on Marketing 1998
Social Media Weekend - CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, NY 2016
Proposal Writing, Corporate Giving, Grant Seeking, Sustainability, The Foundation Center, NY 2013

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DEANNA VIARS BOSSELMAN
fundrayzr@gmail.com s www.fundrayzr.com s 308-380-4169
NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Board Member 1986 – Present
Serve as a volunteer leader or board member for nonprofit and advocacy organizations with a wide range of
focuses and guiding missions. Work cross-functionally with board members and nonprofit staff leaders to manage
special events. Identify and secure venues, recruit and motivate volunteers, and solicit in-kind gifts and corporate
sponsorships.
Highlighted Contributions
§ Help identify current and emerging philanthropic opportunities through strategic planning and properly
cultivating donor relationships.
§ Helped plan and manage over 40 fundraising and friendraising events that raised a total of more than
$1 million and involved 500+ volunteers, 100+ major donors ($500+), and over 5,000 participants.
Partial list of events includes:
Jumble Shop of the Junior League, Bird Buddie Bash, Husker Tailgate Party, Entertainment
Extravaganza (3 times), MS On the Move Luncheon (2 times), Cattlemen’s Ball “Give Cancer the
Boot!, Omaha Children’s Museum, Willa Cather Foundation, and Third City Community Clinic
Volunteer Physician of the Year
§ Established and strengthened relationships with the media to drive market awareness; negotiated
promotional and other marketing materials.
§ Worked closely with board members and sponsors throughout all phases of strategic and tactical planning,
coordination, and execution of major events to ensure superior service and strong donor relationships.
§ Oversaw production of high-impact multimedia presentations to communicate the value and benefit of
corporate sponsorship and volunteerism.
§ Solicited and secured major sponsors and live/silent auction donors.
§ Reviewed and evaluated grant proposals for new and existing projects. Served on the Junior League of
Omaha’s Strategic Planning and Project Development Committees.
§ Participated three consecutive years on a blind judging panel for the Nebraska Fund for Teachers’ grant
selection committee. Awarded 31 Nebraska teachers over $200,000 in funding.
§ Organized and evaluated grant proposals for the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska. Helped award $40,000 to 11
local health-related nonprofit organizations.
PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE
Program Trainer and Food Service Specialist, Farner-Bocken Company - 1991-1993 and 1996-2001
Financial Planning Representative, AXA/Equitable - 1993-1996
Sales Representative Midwest Territories, Ashland Petroleum Company-Refinery - 1989-1991
Inspector and Interim Director, State of West Virginia Youth Opportunity Camping Program - 1988-1989
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Guest Lecturer on Event Planning, Philanthropy 101- Hastings College, Hastings, NE 2010
Community Service-Special Guest Speaker, Doniphan Trumbull Elementary School, Doniphan, NE 2010
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Toastmaster International Upper West Side Club
Women in Development NY
Association of Fundraising Professionals

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DEANNA VIARS BOSSELMAN
fundrayzr@gmail.com s www.fundrayzr.com s 308-380-4169
ADDENDUM
Active membership on the following nonprofit boards:
Junior League of Omaha Third City Community Clinic
Omaha Children’s Museum Central Child Care of West Virginia
Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska Friends of Lied Performing Arts
YWCA of Grand Island Grow Nebraska
Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity
Friends of Crane Meadows Nature Center 2011 Mission Hope
Malaika Foundation American Red Cross
Future Community & Career Leaders of America Junior League of Charleston, WV
Fund for Teachers MS Nebraska
Willa Cather Foundation Crane Trust
Junior Achievement Girls Inc.
Kool-Aid Days A.R.T (Art Recycled from Trash)
Highlighted Participation
Leadership positions demonstrate skills and experience in fundraising, business development, strategy, financial
management, staff supervision, partnership development, and nonprofit operations management.
2013-2016 Founding Board Member, Fashion Institute Guild, Omaha, NE
• Member Recruitment
• Fundraising Advisor
2015 Prospect Researcher, 990 Project, Columbia University, New York, NY
• Created an extensive prospect list of 1000+ NYC nonprofit contacts
2014 Creative Culture Leadership, The Kaneko, Omaha, NE
2011 Volunteer Manager, Mission Hope, Castries, St. Lucia
• Volunteer leader for orphanage mission project
2011-2013 Grant Proposal Selection Committee, Fund for Teachers, Lincoln, NE
• Reviewed and analyzed grant proposals
• Awarded 31 Nebraska Teachers over $200,000 in funding
2010-2011 Event Chair, “On the Move Luncheon” National MS Nebraska Chapter, Grand Island, NE
2010-2016 Board Director, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE
• Serve on Development and Collection Committees
• Secure new members and event underwriting
2008-2009 Chairman, “Give Cancer The Boot!" Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska, Doniphan, NE
• Raised nearly $500,000 for the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center
• Managed the activities of 49 committee chairpersons
• Evaluated grant proposals for $40,000 in grant awards to 11 local charities
2003-2008 Board Director and Event Chairman, Third City Community Clinic, Grand Island, NE
• Founded and organized wine tasting event, “Entertainment Extravaganza”
• Solicited in-kind gifts and corporate sponsorships, raising over $400,000
• Established annual Physician Volunteer of the Year Award Friendraiser
2002-2004 President, Friends of Crane Meadows Nature Center, Wood River, NE
• Managed spring migration volunteers and events
• Raised over $60,000 for program funding through the annual gala
• Organized volunteer engagement and donor cultivation activities