More About Jane Cunningham
Offering Independent Fund Development & Project Management Services (2021)
Operating as JANE CUNNINGHAM CONSULTING, I can offer services that include institutional fundraising strategy and planning (literature reviews, field scans, case development); prospect research and communication; and proposal development and reporting for public and private funders. I can also assist you with project or program coordination for funded initiatives.
For examples of consulting-based work I've done locally, in Greater Minnesota, and with national entities, please see my Client List. My comprehensive professional experience is outlined below.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Staff and Consultant)
FUND DEVEOPMENT and PROJECT MANAGMENT
Independent fund development and project management for government and nonprofit organizations. Current clients/projects (Spring 2021) include:
AMHERST H. WILDER FOUNDATION, St. Paul, MN
Program Developer, Aging and Early Childhood Services (2015 – 2020)
Manage $1M annual portfolio of grants and contracts supporting programs and services in aging and early childhood services. Work with area directors and managers to identify, develop and fund new service needs and opportunities through institutional funding and contracts/fee-for-service.
JANE CUNNINGHAM CONSULTING, INC., St. Paul, MN (2012 – 2015)
Consultant specializing in fund development and project management for clients that included Wisdom Steps/Tribal Elders, College of St. Catherine and Saint Paul College, History Theatre, Hmong American Partnership, Volunteers of America, Dakota County Public Health, Urban Ventures and ArtSage.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES, St. Paul, MN
Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations (2011 – 2012)
Managed and grew $1.2M portfolio of grants and sponsorships supporting youth mentoring.
SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA, INC., Minneapolis, MN
Director of National Grants (2009 – 2011)
Lead proposal development planning and process for scholarship and college access programs.
JANE CUNNINGHAM CONSULTING, INC., St. Paul, MN (2006 – 2009)
Strategic fund development and project management for nonprofit organizations. Major projects:
Minnesota Rural Partners, St. Paul, MN. Subcontracted Consultant.
Developed guidelines and managed submission and award process for Minnesota Community Pride Competition, a statewide community development awards program.
Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN. Contracted Development Manager.
Developed grant program guidelines, review process and managed reporting for $875K in grant funds available through a special Legislative appropriation for Minnesota Sesquicentennial activities. Part of three-person team securing $350K in corporate and foundation support for major civic engagement initiatives across the state.
Library Foundation of Hennepin County. Minnetonka, MN. Consultant, Age Well/Live Smart.
Documented market for new lifelong learning and civic engagement programs as part of the system’s Age Well/Live Smart initiative. Developed program series for the Library’s growing baby-boom demographic that received an innovation award from the National Association of Counties.
MINNESOTA HUMANITIES COMMISSION (MHC), St. Paul, MN
Vice President of Grants & Community Programs (2002 – 2006)
Oversee all activities related to annual $1.1M federal regrant program. Directed activities for statewide educational/cultural programs. Annual budget of $980K; three direct reports.
Senior Program Officer (1998-2002)
Responsible for implementing and reporting on statewide grant program affiliated with National Endowment for the Humanities. Maintain portfolio of programs/projects in lifelong learning, cultural/heritage tourism, and community-higher education partnerships.
Education
Ph.D. Program in American Studies, University of Minnesota
Smithsonian Fellow, Culture Studies Program, The George Washington University and Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.
BA with Honors, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa
Certificate in Fundraising and Fund Development, University of St. Thomas
Certificate in Volunteer Leadership, Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration
Community Involvement
Board Member, Stevens Square Foundation (2013-2019)
Community Volunteer, Living at Home - Block Nurse Program
Operating as JANE CUNNINGHAM CONSULTING, I can offer services that include institutional fundraising strategy and planning (literature reviews, field scans, case development); prospect research and communication; and proposal development and reporting for public and private funders. I can also assist you with project or program coordination for funded initiatives.
For examples of consulting-based work I've done locally, in Greater Minnesota, and with national entities, please see my Client List. My comprehensive professional experience is outlined below.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Staff and Consultant)
FUND DEVEOPMENT and PROJECT MANAGMENT
Independent fund development and project management for government and nonprofit organizations. Current clients/projects (Spring 2021) include:
- Initial discovery, convening and feasibility assessment) for Community College System exploring FY23 applications to the U.S. Department of Education's TRIO college access and success programs (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/index.html).
- Comprehensive planning and proposal development for a Greater Minnesota Continuing Care Community seeking support from MN Board on Aging's FY22 Living Well at Home RFP and Dementia RFP.
AMHERST H. WILDER FOUNDATION, St. Paul, MN
Program Developer, Aging and Early Childhood Services (2015 – 2020)
Manage $1M annual portfolio of grants and contracts supporting programs and services in aging and early childhood services. Work with area directors and managers to identify, develop and fund new service needs and opportunities through institutional funding and contracts/fee-for-service.
- Repositioned and/or enhanced current services to attract new funders, including new, multi-year funding support for early learning initiatives ($350K+) and recurring, highly competitive arts and human services funding to expand dementia arts and caregiver supports programs ($300K+).
- Worked systematically with Individual Gift Officers to introduce portfolio areas to new donors, helping successfully complete two matching-grant awards intended to strengthen individual giving base.
JANE CUNNINGHAM CONSULTING, INC., St. Paul, MN (2012 – 2015)
Consultant specializing in fund development and project management for clients that included Wisdom Steps/Tribal Elders, College of St. Catherine and Saint Paul College, History Theatre, Hmong American Partnership, Volunteers of America, Dakota County Public Health, Urban Ventures and ArtSage.
- Conducted environmental and funding scans to re-position both large and small human service organizations (and/or selected service lines) for greater impact, relevance, and/or coherence.
- Guided faculty, K-12 and community partners in developing a community college’s inaugural college readiness program that attracted $200K in highly-competitive national seed funding.
- Led strategic planning and fund development process for county-wide aging initiative to prioritize and ‘price’ projects and create initial case for grant and sponsorship support. (https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/publiccommittees/CFL).
- Served as process manager and lead writer for successful, complex state and federal grant proposals to State of Minnesota (DHS-Aging & Adult Services, Juvenile Justice) and federal government (Departments of Labor, Education, Agriculture and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid).
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES, St. Paul, MN
Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations (2011 – 2012)
Managed and grew $1.2M portfolio of grants and sponsorships supporting youth mentoring.
- With East African community partners, developed new culturally-specific mentoring initiative.
- Secured $150K in new funding for college readiness initiatives and services.
- Established strategy and case language for new small business campaign and related sponsorships that leveraged 10 partnerships and $25K in new funds.
SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA, INC., Minneapolis, MN
Director of National Grants (2009 – 2011)
Lead proposal development planning and process for scholarship and college access programs.
- Raised $2.5M through to expand Dreamkeepers® community college scholarship program in five states (https://scholarshipamerica.org/dreamkeepers/)
- Developed new training and resources to supporting national affiliates’ fund development planning, with affiliates generating $500K in requests in18 months in four regions.
JANE CUNNINGHAM CONSULTING, INC., St. Paul, MN (2006 – 2009)
Strategic fund development and project management for nonprofit organizations. Major projects:
Minnesota Rural Partners, St. Paul, MN. Subcontracted Consultant.
Developed guidelines and managed submission and award process for Minnesota Community Pride Competition, a statewide community development awards program.
Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN. Contracted Development Manager.
Developed grant program guidelines, review process and managed reporting for $875K in grant funds available through a special Legislative appropriation for Minnesota Sesquicentennial activities. Part of three-person team securing $350K in corporate and foundation support for major civic engagement initiatives across the state.
Library Foundation of Hennepin County. Minnetonka, MN. Consultant, Age Well/Live Smart.
Documented market for new lifelong learning and civic engagement programs as part of the system’s Age Well/Live Smart initiative. Developed program series for the Library’s growing baby-boom demographic that received an innovation award from the National Association of Counties.
MINNESOTA HUMANITIES COMMISSION (MHC), St. Paul, MN
Vice President of Grants & Community Programs (2002 – 2006)
Oversee all activities related to annual $1.1M federal regrant program. Directed activities for statewide educational/cultural programs. Annual budget of $980K; three direct reports.
- Raised $320,000 in new corporate and foundation funds for intergenerational literacy initiative, citizen-led public policy network, and community engagement initiatives (Minnesota Book Awards, Smithsonian Museum on Mainstreet).
- With community and network partners, devised communications and fund development plans that increased available dollars by 20%, membership by 30%, and volunteer involvement by nearly 50%.
Senior Program Officer (1998-2002)
Responsible for implementing and reporting on statewide grant program affiliated with National Endowment for the Humanities. Maintain portfolio of programs/projects in lifelong learning, cultural/heritage tourism, and community-higher education partnerships.
- Fostered development of a nationally-recognized network of older adult learning and service organizations reaching 23 Minnesota communities.
- Launched statewide public policy deliberative discussion initiative and led annual trainings and resource development for local partners.
- With University of Minnesota and Minnesota State campuses, developed bi-annual community convenings/conferences exploring emerging issues (e. g., rural sustainability, ethics of land and water use, changing demographics, civic vitality).
Education
Ph.D. Program in American Studies, University of Minnesota
Smithsonian Fellow, Culture Studies Program, The George Washington University and Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.
BA with Honors, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa
Certificate in Fundraising and Fund Development, University of St. Thomas
Certificate in Volunteer Leadership, Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration
Community Involvement
Board Member, Stevens Square Foundation (2013-2019)
Community Volunteer, Living at Home - Block Nurse Program