Team Spotlight: Fund Development

Collin and Laura are the magic behind Fund Development Team. While they work on a wide range of projects, their work can be summed up in one important role: developing, growing, and maintaining relationships with supporters who make our work possible. Their work is critical to our mission because private funding is critical to strengthening the infrastructure of Texas CASA – making it possible to pursue our Public Policy work, expand our programs, and implement special initiatives. They provide private grant opportunities for specific projects and utilize stories from each team to share the great work of Texas CASA. They regularly work with the Communications, CFE, Finance, Public Policy, and Strategic Network Support teams on grant opportunities, finance, and storytelling projects. If your team needs additional funding, they are your go-to. Want to learn something you may not know about the Fund Development team? Read their group interview below!

Behind the Scenes with Collin and Laura

What is something people might be surprised to learn about your role or experience? 

Fundraising is more data and technology intensive than many people realize. We use our database for donation processing, keeping track of our contacts with donors, budgeting, forecasting, and running mail and email lists. Texas CASA receives donations through several online platforms and from many different sources. We’re responsible for providing accurate documentation to the Finance team, importing those donations into our main database, and maintaining a relationship with donors no matter where they come from. 

What are the main projects that your team works on? 

We work on several projects including the fundraising campaign at the end of the year and during Foster Care Month in May, the Conference, CASA Day at the Capitol, Big Voices for Little Texans awards, collaborating with other teams on private grant opportunities, and really most projects that need funding you can find us.

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be? 

Collin: I wish I could instantly master drawing. I am very bad at it no matter how much I try.

Laura: A skill I wish I could master is making music! I love all different kinds of music, and I’m so fascinated on how musicians and producers use their creativity and skills to make that kind of art. I’ve also tried many different instruments, but it’s just something I could never pick up on, so that would be cool!

What’s been your favorite and/or dream vacation?

Collin: Port Aransas is one of my favorite vacation spots. It’s one of the best little beach towns. 

Laura: My favorite vacation is visiting the Pacific Northwest. I’m one of those weird people that actively looks for hiking spots everywhere I visit, and PNW is so breathtaking I never get tired of it!

What’s one goal you’re working toward together?

One major goal we have as a team is to improve how we communicate with and show our gratitude to our supporters and partners according to their preferences and communication styles.