Empowering Schools: Approaches to Fundraising and Growth

Roger Devine is a Partner and Marketing Director at SchoolAuction. He is an experienced marketing professional, with a focus on helping small businesses, technology start-ups, and non-profit organizations. Roger has extensive experience in the software, merchant-processing and publishing industries.

As the Marketing Director at Get Movin' Fundraising, I spearhead campaigns that uplift schools and organizations in their fundraising missions. From devising comprehensive marketing plans to utilizing data analytics for tailored campaigns, my approach is always geared towards magnifying our impact. I take the experience of our fundraising experts and communicate these insights in a way that is valuable and helpful for Parent Group leaders, teachers, parents, and school staff. I lead a talented team of marketers in creating and executing high-impact strategies that consistently meet and exceed business objectives. With a unique blend of creative vision and analytical rigor, I've helped elevate brand awareness, drive customer engagement, and significantly improve ROI.

Clare Richards is the co-founder and CEO of a startup called Impacks, which supports parents and educators in accessing critical school supplies. Clare is a creative by trade with a strong love for building vibrancy through action and storytelling. She is known for her ability to kickstart initiatives, engage emerging leaders, and lead passionate teams to accomplish ambitious goals. A notable example of this was her part in co-founding and leading a young leaders group called Saint Cloud Rotaract in 2015. Her work as a community volunteer and advocate has gained her recognition as a St. Cloud 5 Under 40 award, a 2022 Top Outstanding Young Minnesotan, and the 2023 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Americans award. Clare volunteers her time on various boards, including Greater St. Cloud Development Center, Central MN Community Foundation, the University of Minnesota Center for Integrative Leadership, and Granite Table. Prior to starting Impacks, Clare spent a decade in the marketing and advertising field. When she isn’t volunteering or working, she can be found binging a nerdy podcast or playing her ukulele.

TJ McGovern, Founder and President of MCG Consulting Group, is a nonprofit coach, trainer, consultant, and speaker with 25 years of experience in development, strategic visioning, campaign management, and major gift solicitation. Beginning his career in institutional advancement as alumni director for a private high school in the Chicago area, TJ’s early mentors included college presidents, chief advancement officers, philanthropists, and foundation directors. Prior to launching his own company, TJ completed his master’s in non-profit management from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs and served as director of development for the largest community college system in the nation.