Shannon Babe-Thomas

Fundraising , Development & Fiscal Oversight:

• Develop diversified fundraising plan to pursue variety of funding sources, from FY'17 to FY'23 revenue up 211%;
• Work with existing foundations to ensure continued support;
• Expand corporate giving opportunities;
• Enhance individual giving program, donations for FY'23 up 151% and average donation up 203%.
• In November 2023 hosted 7th annual gala virtually and raised over $100,000;
• Proactively work to obtain federal funding opportunities;
• Conceive and write grant proposals;
• Develop and create systems to streamline work and save resources;
• Oversee financial management of organization’s resources.

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Maintain effective working relationship with Board of Directors;
• Hire, supervise, train and evaluate staff;
• Oversee and collaborate with staff regarding planning, evaluation and administration of programs;
• Oversee and collaborate with staff on curriculum writing.
• Use leadership skills and expertise of Community Bridges to influence resolution of issues that impact girls in Montgomery County.
• Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
• Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
  Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance

Community and Public Partnerships

• Work closely with local government officials to enhance financial and other support;
• Serve as organization's chief liaison and spokesperson to community;
• Participate in community coalitions, alliances and networks;
• Promote Community Bridges' model of youth empowerment to community at large, including media;

• Choreograph solo, duet, trio, small group and large group pieces for Urban Fuse Dance Company
• Help to recruit new talent for dance company
• Teach classes in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, lyrical and LET for children ages 3-17
• Manage social media and public relations for studio and dance company
• Edit music and videos for company and studio
• Planned routines for recitals and performances.
• Created healthy and safe learning environment for all students by implementing class rules and promoting mutual respect and gentle discipline.
• Utilized different styles of teaching to accommodate students of all capabilities.

• Manage annual budget of over $500,000 and have reduced expenses by over 50% without reducing services to members
• Supervise 6 staff members with diverse set of expertise including linguistic outreach, Young Leaders program, inclusion, outreach day camp and leadership conferences
• Set goals for each staff and program
• Inclusion Specialist increased number of girls with disabilities served by over 250%
• Young Leaders Program serves over 2,400 girls in Washington, DC, Prince George's County, Montgomery County, Frederick County, Washington County, MD, Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County, VA lead by 180 college students from 17 local universities and colleges
• Outreach Day Camp Programs serve over 4,000 girls during spring and summer
• Linguistic Outreach Specialists serve Spanish speaking girls and families through targeted outreach, programs, trainings and translations
• Collaborated with Girl Scouts USA on National Include ALL Girls Initiative
• Oversee 15 grant programs by cultivating grant donors, tracking, evaluations, statistical analysis and writing reports to funders
• Plan, supervise and organize 3 outreach conferences for 650 targeted teens from low-income and diverse populations each year
• Over last year have helped to raise over $350,000 in corporate, foundation and individual donors
• Managed RFP's and bulk purchasing for all transportation needs
• Choreographed and managed one of world's largest flash mobs for Girl Scouts Rock the Mall, celebration for 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts
• Managed copyright and licensing for music used at Girl Scouts Rock the Mall
• Developed Environmental Project with Girl Scouts USA Oversees China
• Developed and executed marketing campaign for recruiting new adult volunteers
• Oversee curriculum development for programming delivered through outreach programs
• Oversee training development for volunteers and staff with Young Leaders Program and outreach day camps
• Cultivate relationships with local school systems and universities to partner and deliver Young Leaders Program