Greater Chicago Area
Robert is a seasoned and versatile nonprofit leader. He grew up in Chicagoland area and is excited to move back after living in Wisconsin, Indiana, and southern Illinois for the past several years. Prior to joining UMMA, Robert was CEO of Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service, a well-respected nonprofit that offers many of the same services as UMMA. Robert has nearly 20 years of nonprofit leadership and development experience for organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs and United Way. He started his fundraising career as a minister for the Chicago Church of Christ where he learned the importance of building and maintaining relationships. From there he used his public speaking and training skills to raise millions of dollars for various charities. Robert earned his Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his Master of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His vision is to develop a blueprint for success that helps transform underprivileged communities through education, political influence and personal inspiration.
i. Contributed expertise in nonprofit sustainability, community development, and funding strategy to support Impact Beacon's mission-driven advisory initiatives. ii. Advised on sustainable funding frameworks and financial turnaround strategies, drawing on experience leading major capital campaigns and transforming fiscally challenged organisations into financially stable, mission-aligned entities. iii. Provided guidance on community empowerment models and program scaling, with a focus on self-sufficiency, collaboration, and creating lasting impact for underprivileged communities. iv. Advised on approaches for building strategic partnerships, donor relationships, and coalition frameworks that amplify grassroots organisations and expand the reach of mission-driven impact.
Grant Acquisition: Help multiple nonprofit organizations identify funding opportunities and successfully write and apply for grants. Business Development: Guide various companies in identifying, targeting, and soliciting high-level end users within a strategic sales environment. Executive Coaching: Coach nonprofit Executive Directors to navigate and overcome operational choke points unique to the sector.
• Started a $33M capital campaign to expand the Pullman Historical National Park Museum. • Cultivated and managed relationships with major donors, securing transformative donations. • Built coalitions that amplified grassroots organizations and long-term community impact.
Manage the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit corporation. In my first year as ED, our year end budget surplus was nearly 75% over expenses. • Manage 2 annual major funding events that raise over $180K. • Overhauled client intake and management system, including software integration and reporting • Manage 12 staff, and oversee 4 successful programs, including adult education, workforce development, food pantry, and affordable housing. • Created a new affordable housing program • Currently building a new diabetes prevention and treatment program
When I arrived, the organization was $180K in debt. We ran aggressive fundraising campaigns that led to all debts paid and a $75K surplus at the end of the fiscal year. Along with revenue increases, I empowered and equipped our talented staff to find creative ways to reduce costs. • Secured several major gifts of at least $100,000 • Managed 16-member board to adopt fundraising as primary function • Managed 15 staff, and oversaw 7 successful programs, including adult education, health clinic, Hispanic outreach, after-school program, in-school teacher assistance, summer school program, and senior program. • Managed 2 annual major funding events that raised over $130K.