Charles D. James

Charles D. James Chicago, Illinois *-* - ____________________________________________________________________________________ Funding & Business Development Specialist Innovative thought leader with over 10 years of sales, business development, funding development, resource development experience in commercial finance, B2B and nonprofit organizations. Competencies include: Sales * Business Development * Funding Development * Event Management * Relationship Development •Resource Development * Strategic Planning * Community Outreach * Government Relations * Coalition Building * Program Implementation Professional Accomplishments ➢ Achieved fundraising amounts ranging from $25K to over $17MM as Fundraising Director on multiple political campaigns ranging from local municipal races to statewide and constitutional races as well as federal campaigns. ➢ Raised funds from $12K to $150K in revenue as a Funding & Resource Development Consultant for projects for nonprofit organizations. ➢ Served as the Statewide Fundraising Director for a major political party in Alabama. Secured funding for political operations, provided fundraising training for political campaign staffers and candidates throughout the state and managed all aspects of major fundraising events for the party. ➢ Secured several grants up to $25K for community outreach in underserved communities. ➢ Served as primary organizer and resource developer for a major civic project designed to reduce health disparities in underserved southern communities. ➢ Worked with mayors and other elected officials from throughout the southeast to organize and implement health policy and leadership training for elected officials and community leaders through the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine and the World Conference of Mayors. ➢ Created a Business Solutions Consortium to provide resources and facilitate growth opportunities for women and minority-owned commercial & government contracting firms in the southeast. ➢ Obtained sponsors and donors as well as planned and managed many receptions, dinners, gala’s and banquets and for a host of political organizations, political candidates, nonprofit organizations and civic groups. ➢ Secured funds, built community advisory boards, planned and managed the implementation of Community Empowerment Summits in several southern cities. ➢ Served as a co-planner and event manager of the City of Birmingham City Council Economic Development Summit. ➢ Served as a member of the Promotions and Special Events Team for a local affiliate of a nationally syndicated radio station for kids. ➢ Completed political campaign management and community organizer training through a nationally recognized campaign management consulting firm. ➢ Served as a Political Organizer and successfully fulfilled major objectives on the southside of Chicago for a victorious Illinois gubernatorial campaign. ➢ Planned and managed community outreach for small, community-based, law firms. Professional Experience Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center – Chicago, Illinois. 7/2023 to 4/2024 –Corporate & Governmental Relations Specialist. Secure and Maintain Funding Relationships with Corporate Sponsors. Develop Strategic Partnerships with Organizations, Corporations and Government Agencies that promote access to mental health, substance use disorder treatment and socioeconomic growth. Southstar Capital – Atlanta, GA 6/2018 – 11/2022 Assistant Vice President Develop, maintain and grow client relationships through business development calls and active participation in community organizations. Participate in economic development initiatives. Continuing education regarding commercial banking and business finance. Organically develop an active network of brokers, referral partners and strategic partners. Vizant – Atlanta, GA 2015 - 2016 Business Development Associate Develop relationships with potential clients throughout the southeast ranging from $5MM to $100MM in annual revenue. Conduct meetings and presentations educating potential clients about the benefit of maximizing efficiency, comprehensively reducing ongoing cost and securing increased profit with regard to treasury operations. Business Development reporting through CRM and data management procedures. Independent Funding and Resource Development Consultant - Atlanta/Chicago- Client Listing Includes: Government Contractors Association – Atlanta, GA. Develop strategic relationships with large and small business government contractors and secure corporate Alliance Partners in support of small business government contracting advocacy. Conduct meetings and presentations educating potential clients about the benefit partnership and advocacy through GCA. Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia – Atlanta, GA. Community Relations by organizing meetings and events designed gain financial support for programs benefiting families and individuals affected by sickle cell disease. Secured nonrestricted funds for the organizations through cultivating and managing relationships with corporate sponsors. Disability Link – Atlanta, GA. Community Relations by organizing meetings and events designed to benefit families and individuals with disabilities in the greater Atlanta area. Secured non-restricted funds for the organizations through cultivating and managing relationships with community-based and corporate sponsors. Manage major donor relations events. Victor Hill for Clayton County Sheriff – Atlanta, GA. Managed, remotely and on-site, the Campaign Finance Office Operation. Researched and identified statewide fundraising opportunities. Made appeals for contributions from potential contributors. Assisted the Finance Committee and the candidate in contributor appeals. Accompanied the candidate at events. Shegale Crute for Clayton County Commission – Atlanta, GA. Managed, remotely and on-site, the Campaign Finance Office Operations. Researched and identified statewide fundraising opportunities. Made appeals for contributions from potential contributors. Assisted the Finance Committee and the candidate in contributor appeals. Accompanied the candidate at fundraising events and meetings. Alisha Thomas Morgan for Georgia State School Superintendent – Atlanta, GA. Managed, remotely and on-site, the Campaign Finance Office and Staff – Including an Event Coordinator, a Finance Deputy, Surrogate Fundraisers and volunteers. Researched and identified statewide fundraising opportunities. Made appeals for contributions from potential contributors. Assisted the Finance Committee and the candidate in contributor appeals. Accompanied the candidate at fundraising events and meetings. The Alabama Conference of Black Mayors – State of Alabama Assisted the Executive Director with planning new programs and managing events. Secured new sponsors, donors and grants for the ACBM. Co-managed the ACBM Healthy Communities Outreach Program with the Executive Director. The World Conference of Mayors/Mayors for Healthy Communities Project – Atlanta, GA. Developed and cultivated strategic partnerships with healthcare and health outreach organizations on behalf of the WCM. Worked with strategic partners to coordinate and implement meetings and trainings for elected officials from the east coast and the south to address health disparities through health policy education and outreach best practices. The Alliance to Repair the American Diet (ARAD) – Atlanta, GA. Developed and cultivated strategic partnerships with healthcare and health outreach organizations on behalf of ARAD. Secured corporate sponsors for the 2015 Food = Medicine Conference. Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now – Atlanta, GA. Recruited participation of high impact community stakeholders, including members of Congress for the multi-city Community Empowerment Summit series. Planned and managed all aspects, including staff & volunteer management, of the Community Empowerment Summit series. Secured corporate sponsors for the Community Empowerment Summit series. John Harmon for Mayor Campaign – Trenton, NJ Managed, remotely and on-site, the Campaign Finance Office and Staff – Including an Event Coordinator, a Finance Deputy, Surrogate Fundraisers and volunteers. Researched and identified statewide fundraising opportunities. Made appeals for contributions from potential contributors. Assisted the Finance Committee and the candidate in contributor appeals. Accompanied the candidate at fundraising events and meetings. Community Care Network – “Eliminating Healthcare Disparities in Alabama’s Underprivileged & Underserved Populations” – Montgomery, AL. Government Relations – Built and nurtured relationships with county and state officials on behalf of CCN. Secured community-based and corporate sponsors for community health outreach. Alabama Democratic Party – Montgomery, AL. Organized and managed all fundraising activity for the Alabama Democratic Party. Strengthened relationships with current contributors and acquired new contributors. Provided fundraising research and training for statewide and federal candidates and their campaign staffers. Managed interns and volunteers for fundraisers and special events. Created fundraising and training opportunities for the College Democrats Organization and Young Democrats Organization in Alabama. Developed and implemented a small-donor marketing plan. Joyce Washington for U.S. Senate Campaign – Chicago, Illinois Organized and managed all facets of the Campaign Finance Office and Staff – Including an Event Coordinator, a Finance Deputy, Surrogate Fundraisers and volunteers. Researched and identified national fundraising opportunities. Educate and make appeals for contributions from potential contributors. Assisted the Finance Committee and the candidate in contributor appeals. Accompanied the candidate at fundraising events and meetings. Bob Jones for Mayor Campaign – Birmingham, AL. Responsibilities included reaching the campaign fundraising goals. Organized campaign fundraising events. Identified, educated and made appeals for financial gifts from potential contributors. Organized and co-chaired the Campaign Finance Committee. Assist the candidate in contributor solicitations. Advance/Accompany the candidate at fundraising events and meetings. Donor targeting and research. Alabama Watch –Consumer Research, Education & Protection – Montgomery, AL. Developed and implemented a fundraising plan for Alabama Watch. Identified, educated and made appeals for financial gifts from potential contributors. Established relationships and donation schedules with current contributors. Organized and managed fundraising events throughout Alabama. Donor targeting and research. Siegelman for Governor Campaign – Montgomery, AL. Organized and managed campaign fundraising events. Identified and educated potential campaign contributors. Assisted the Governor /Candidate with contributor appeals. Advanced the Governor/Candidate at fundraising events. Donor targeting and research. Blagojevich for Governor/Strategic Consulting Group – Chicago, Illinois Developed a volunteer base on the southside of Chicago. Coordinated coalition support efforts within a territory. Organized events to recruit volunteers and promote the candidate. Advanced the candidate at public functions. Organized and managed a volunteer phone bank. Organized and managed door-to-door canvass efforts within a specific territory. Identified and mobilized voters supporting Congressman Blagojevich for Governor. Visionland Theme Park – Birmingham, AL 6/2001 – 12/2001 Group Sales Coordinator Marketed, sold, and coordinated outings to Visionland for corporate, civic, and social organizations. Provide community relations and customer service to customers and prospects. Birmingham Family Times Magazine/United Parenting Press – Birmingham, AL. 4/2000 – 4/2001 Account Executive Advised existing clients and media buyers concerning print media advertising. Acquired and serviced new advertisers for company core and ancillary publications. Radio Disney – Birmingham, AL 2/1997 – 11/1999 Account Executive/Special Events Team Advised existing clients and media buyers concerning print media advertising. Acquired and service new advertisers for radio and promotions advertising. Organized promotions and special events to market existing clients and Radio Disney. Education & Training The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL – Major: Public Relations 1995 Strategic Consulting Group, Chicago, IL. – Campaign Management School 2001 Democratic National Committee, Birmingham, Al. – Campaign Institute