
Lauren Fitch
Partnerships & Investments Specialist at Penfield Children’s Center
Public Administration at Marquette University
United States
Hi, I'm Lauren Fitch!
Partnerships & Investments Specialist at Penfield Children’s Center
Hi, I’m Lauren! I am a purpose-driven communications and development professional with experience in nonprofit marketing, grant writing, event planning, and community outreach. I hold a B.A. in History and Sociology from Spring Arbor University and will graduate from Marquette University with my M.A. in Public Service in May 2026. I have served in roles ranging from development specialist to university advancement and nonprofit communications, contributing to successful fundraising efforts, large-scale events, and impactful storytelling. I'm skilled in mass email marketing, CRM/databases, grant writing, and social media management, with a strong passion for mission-driven work and relationship building. What drives me is a commitment to equity and the common good. I care deeply about systems change, and I want to help build narratives and structures that last.
Experience
Penfield Children’s Center
Partnerships & Investments Specialist
September 2024 - Present
Led Auction Committee for the Annual Croquet Ball fundraiser
Developed SOPs for program data management
Recruited and onboarded volunteers for various roles and events
Solicited donations and engaged with donors
Partook in grant writing and preparation
Chesterton House at Cornell University
Events & Communications Coordinator
May 2023 - August 2024
Planned and facilitated weekly educational and community-building events
Managed social media platform content using Planable
Designed graphics for social media, newsletters, and print
Developed SOPs for recurring events
Collaborated in planning recurring weekly events
Chesterton House at Cornell University
Consortium of Christian Study Centers Intern
May 2023 - August 2024
-Plan, organize, and facilitate weekly event with up to 25 attendees
-Manage social media using Planable social media planning program
-Design and edit graphics for marketing in social media, newsletters, and print
-Draft SOPs for recurring events to help organize systems and processes
-Part of a small team to facilitate multiple recurring weekly events ranging in size from 15 to 60 attendees.
Spring Arbor University
Advancement Team Member
August 2022 - May 2023
-Call alumni, current and former parents, and friends of the university to update contact and employment information.
-Communicate with alumni about their SAU experience, and invite them to give a gift to the Arbor Fund.
-Organize data, communicate with donors, and steward relationships.
-Contribute to alumni and campus event planning, set up, and marketing. -Call alumni, current and former parents, and friends of the university to update contact and employment information. -Communicate with alumni about their SAU experience, and invite them to give a gift to the Arbor Fund. -Organize data, communicate with donors, and steward relationships. -Contribute to alumni and campus event planning, set up, and marketing.
Skills: Data Entry · Raiser's Edge · Microsoft Excel
Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association
Development & Communications Specialist
February 2021 - August 2022
Collaborated on fundraisers including an Annual Gala and two annual Luaus
Wrote and edited successful grants and donation requests
Managed marketing emails, website updates, and social media platforms
Compiled, wrote, and edited the monthly e-newsletter
Presented at leadership meetings and conferences
Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association
Marketing and Communications AmeriCorps VISTA
February 2021 - August 2022
I spent a year and a half working full-time toward improving the lives of foster, adoptive, and kinship youth and families at CMFCAA through the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Program.
-Responsible for compiling material, writing and editing, and formatting the monthly e-newsletter.
-Presented professionally at leadership meetings, rotaries, board meetings, and conferences.
-Responsible for writing and editing press releases and coordinating with local media and news outlets to promote events.
-Was a vital part of a small executive team to plan, organize, and carry out several successful fundraisers, including an Annual Gala that brought in 500+ attendees and $90,000+ revenue for the organization and two annual Luaus that had 200+ attendees and $15,000+ revenue for the organization.
-Managed monthly mass email e-newsletters plus marketing emails, website updates, and social media platforms.
-Wrote and edited multiple successful grants and donation requests, adding up to at least $100,000+.
-Participated in and organized fund development and outreach activities including sales, sponsorship solicitation, mass mailing campaigns, data organization, and Excel spreadsheet management.
-Created and edited flyers and brochures used for educational and promotional purposes.I spent a year and a half working full-time toward improving the lives of foster, adoptive, and kinship youth and families at CMFCAA through the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Program. -Responsible for compiling material, writing and editing, and formatting the monthly e-newsletter. -Presented professionally at leadership meetings, rotaries, board meetings, and conferences. -Responsible for writing and editing press releases and coordinating with local media and news outlets to promote events. -Was a vital part of a small executive team to plan, organize, and carry out several successful fundraisers, including an Annual Gala that brought in 500+ attendees and $90,000+ revenue for the organization and two annual Luaus that had 200+ attendees and $15,000+ revenue for the organization. -Managed monthly mass email e-newsletters plus marketing emails, website updates, and social media platforms. -Wrote and edited multiple successful grants and donation requests, adding up to at least $100,000+. -Participated in and organized fund development and outreach activities including sales, sponsorship solicitation, mass mailing campaigns, data organization, and Excel spreadsheet management. -Created and edited flyers and brochures used for educational and promotional purposes.
Skills: Grant Writing · Mass Communication · Mass Email Marketing · Communication · Community Outreach · Databases
Lamplighter Ministries
Events & Communications Intern
May 2020 - August 2020
Wrote and edited social media and website content
Managed physical files, spreadsheets, and reports
Interacted with customers to provide optimal service
Supported administrative tasks including calls and mail
Managed intern stipend and grocery budget
Lamplighter Ministries
Advanced Intern
May 2020 - August 2020
-Participated in writing and editing social media and website content, copy for mass email campaigns, and catalogue promotional material.
-Organized and managed physical files, Excel spreadsheets, and data reports using Microsoft Suite.
-Interacted with customers professionally by phone, email, or in-person to provide optimal customer service.
-Helped with administrative support, including managing incoming calls, coordinating files, and sorting mail.
-Managed the intern stipend and grocery budget while maintaining workload.
-Edited photos and participated in marketing photography.
-Designed and managed professional-level social media content.
-Managed meal planning and kitchen duties, including organizing, cleaning, and cooking for large groups.
Spring Arbor University
Sociology and History Tutor
January 2019 - March 2020
-Organized and led group tutoring sessions for up to 15 students at a time.
-Answered questions and challenged students to think critically about course material.
-Met with students individually in-person and virtually to provide optimal learning support.
-Received extremely high praise and feedback from students and instructors alike.
Spring Arbor University
Administrative Assistant | Humanities Department
January 2019 - March 2020
-Performed general office duties, including answering multi-line phones, routing calls and messages, and greeting visitors.
-Provided logistical support for programs, meetings, and events, including room reservations, agenda preparation, and calendar maintenance.
-Developed and updated spreadsheets and databases.
-Maintained a clean reception area to promote a positive, professional environment for all, including faculty and clients.
-Provided clerical support to 7 company employees by copying, faxing, and filing documents.
-Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on a daily basis.
-Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff.
Education
Certificates & Badges
No certificates or badges added
Projects
Lead
Responsible for compiling material, writing, editing, and formatting the monthly e-newsletter from start to finish. My work can be seen on the website starting in March 2021 and going until July 2022. The newsletter was created and sent out using SalsaEngage.
Languages
English
Skills
Writing
Communication Skills
Project Management
Copywriting
Copy Editing
Social Media
Grant Writing
Leadership
CRM Administration
Mass Communication
Grant Research
Mass Email Marketing
Organization
Detailed
Photography