Camille Williams Howells
Denver Metro Area
Summary
Strategic fundraising leader with 15+ years of experience securing transformational partnerships for public education, higher education, and social impact organizations. Proven track record of managing multimillion-dollar campaigns, building high-performing teams, cultivating cross-sector partnerships, and aligning philanthropic strategy with institutional goals. Deep expertise in foundation relations, grant writing, major gifts, and programmatic storytelling. Seeking a values-aligned leadership role within a large institution such as a university, hospital foundation, or K-12 public education foundation.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director, Development
Teach For America
Remote
06.2022 - Current
- Lead a $3M regional annual fundraising strategy and portfolio including foundation, government, individual, corporate, and earned revenue
- 90% foundations renewal rate this year; exceeded lost revenue with significant upgrades and new sources
- Manage a director-level staff member and oversee cross-functional collaboration with national and regional teams
- Spearhead donor engagement plans, impact storytelling, grant reporting, and support with regional board development
- Collaborate with national teams on shared seven-figure gifts with funders who give to multiple geographies
Director, Foundation Relations
Teach For America
Remote
02.2022 - 05.2023
- Oversaw all foundation relations including program officer relationships, grant writing and post-award reporting and stewardship
- 100% foundations renewal during my tenure
- Sourced and built new partnerships that have turned into sustained funding sources
Principal Consultant
Camille Howells Consulting
Denver
03.2018 - 02.2022
- Advised mission-aligned organizations on development strategy, case messaging, prospect research, and donor stewardship
- Provided executive coaching to development directors and built internal systems for donor pipelines and reporting
Senior Director of Development
STRIVE Preparatory Schools
Denver
07.2014 - 03.2017
- Led a $12M growth campaign to expand a charter network from 1 to 11 schools over my tenure, securing $14M+ in commitments
- Wrote and won $7M competitive federal grant (U.S Department of Education Charter School Program)
- Wrote, won, and managed 9 $2M (each) startup grants through the Colorado Department of Education
- Managed all philanthropic partnerships, institutional foundation awards and government grants; ensured bespoke reporting, compliance, and financial management
- Supervised a development team and served on the executive leadership team
- Directed board-level Development Committee and oversaw launch of Young Professionals Board
Director of Development & Communications
STRIVE Preparatory Schools
Denver
03.2009 - 06.2014
- Built-out robust portfolio of foundation and individual investors with nearly 100% renewal and upgrade rates
- Led hundreds of prospective donor and community leader school tours, site visits, and meetings, resulting in strong portfolio development
- Directed brand strategy and public communications including website, logos, annual reports, earned media, social media
- Supported external affairs, Board of Education partnerships, and policy and advocacy work
Volunteer & Community Programs Coordinator
Colorado State University
Fort Collins
08.2007 - 08.2008
- Planned and executed large-scale university service initiatives mobilizing thousands of students
- Directed campus-wide campaigns supporting food security and student-led community impact projects
- Supervised a team of undergraduate student employees
Fellow / Program Associate
El Pomar Foundation
Colorado Springs
07.2005 - 07.2007
- Managed regional grantmaking and community relations across six rural Colorado counties
- Directed a youth philanthropy initiative in 14 high schools and a statewide leadership development conference
- Collaborated with local institutions to open a school-based health clinic
- Served as associate grants officer, coordinating compliance and evaluation of funded programs
Leadership Staff (Summers)
Eagle Lake Camps
Colorado Springs
05.2003 - 08.2005
- Led daily operations and staff training for a high-capacity residential camp serving 2,000 youth annually
Volunteer, Project WISE
AmeriCorps / Loretto Volunteer Program
Denver
08.2004 - 05.2005
- Supported build out of women’s empowerment mentoring program and grant and communications work
Education
Certificate - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/ESG Strategy
University of Colorado Boulder – Leeds School of Business
Boulder12.2022
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Nonprofit Administration, Education Policy, Budgeting, and Leadership
University of Colorado Denver – School of Public Affairs
Denver05.2013
Bachelor of Science - Family and Human Services
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR05.2003
Skills
- Fundraising strategy
- Partnership development
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Donor stewardship
- Financial management
- Impact storytelling
- Salesforce (CRM & Grants Management)
- Quick learner with new platforms and systems
Community Engagement And Leadership
- Mentor, Institute for Leaders in Development, Current
- Board Member, Project Worthmore, 2019-2021
- Board Secretary, Edgewater Collective, 2015-2017
- Graduate, Institute for Leaders in Development, University of Denver, 2012
- Graduate, Leadership Arts, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, 2007
Timeline
Managing Director, Development
Teach For America
06.2022 - Current
Director, Foundation Relations
Teach For America
02.2022 - 05.2023
Principal Consultant
Camille Howells Consulting
03.2018 - 02.2022
Senior Director of Development
STRIVE Preparatory Schools
07.2014 - 03.2017
Director of Development & Communications
STRIVE Preparatory Schools
03.2009 - 06.2014
Volunteer & Community Programs Coordinator
Colorado State University
08.2007 - 08.2008
Fellow / Program Associate
El Pomar Foundation
07.2005 - 07.2007
Volunteer, Project WISE
AmeriCorps / Loretto Volunteer Program
08.2004 - 05.2005
Leadership Staff (Summers)
Eagle Lake Camps
05.2003 - 08.2005
Certificate - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/ESG Strategy
University of Colorado Boulder – Leeds School of Business
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Nonprofit Administration, Education Policy, Budgeting, and Leadership
University of Colorado Denver – School of Public Affairs
Bachelor of Science - Family and Human Services
John Brown University
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