Samantha Lane is a creative philanthropy professional with vision and purpose.
Experienced in equity-focused fundraising, proposal development, volunteer engagement, corporate engagement, foundation relations, data analysis, strategic planning, DEIB training, internal and external communication, project management, and product development.
Experience
Miami University
University Advancement - Corporate and Foundation Relations
Oxford, OH
Associate Director of Proposal Development
Mar 2024-Present
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Donor & Private Foundation Services
Cincinnati, OH
Inclusive Giving Advisor
Apr 2021 - Feb 2024
In April 2021, I joined the Donor & Private Foundation Services team of Greater Cincinnati Foundation. I occupied an exciting new role as Inclusive Giving Advisor (IGA).
In my capacity as IGA, I was charged with engaging and supporting BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and young people in their philanthropy.
As I grew in this role and explored its potential, I found new, fresh, disruptive methods for engaging and moving our community in a more equitable direction.
In 2018, I joined Price Hill Will as its first Development Director, focused on Arts Programs. From 2018 to 2021, I led all arts-related fundraising operations, in service of raising an annual budget of roughly $700,000, as well as additional funds for capital investments.
In 2020, our team recruited MYCincinnati's first major gift at the $1 million level.
In collaboration with PHW’s Marketing Director, I managed all of MYCincinnati's promotions and external communications, including a brand refresh and new website.
I also administered the grants program, major gift program, and MYCincinnati Annual Giving Campaign, with the support of an extraordinary team.
In March 2024, I joined the Corporate and Foundation Relations team of Miami University’s Advancement Department as Associate Director of Proposal Development.
As Associate Director, I work closely with the Director of Grant Writing and faculty/staff across three campuses to implement a successful grant and major gift proposal program that secures external funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
That success relies heavily on my ability to craft compelling stories that effectively translate the priorities of campus stakeholders into timely, successful funding proposals. It also requires my organizational, research and project management skills to execute campus-wide strategies for seeking and acquiring external funding in support of Miami University’s mission.
I occupied a unique role, created for me on the Community Campaigns & Strategy Development Team, with wide-ranging responsibilities and considerable autonomy.
That position allowed me to work cross-functionally with the Development, Marketing, Community Impact, Public Policy, and Technology teams, frequently working directly with the Presidents of American Red Cross Greater Cincinnati Chapter and United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
Through that experience I learned and grew new skillsets with the support and mentorship of staff across the organization.
With my close-knit team, I coordinated and implemented comprehensive campaign strategies and managed volunteer teams across the UWGC portfolio.
I also performed data analyses and created collateral materials to be presented to CEOs during critical solicitation meetings.
Commitments
I’m passionate about work that aligns with my values—work that moves us all toward the community and the world in which we’d like to live, love and raise our families.
I believe in finding joy and purpose in every day, striving toward successful collaboration, and always acting with care and empathy.
Those beliefs affirm my commitment to work that furthers its goals while remaining focused on equity, inclusion, and community building.
