Pamela Sophiajohn

SOPHIAJOHN Writes is yours truly, Pamela Sophiajohn. I have worked as an independent contractor serving clients from across the United States since January 2009.

My consulting services are based on 14-years of nonprofit experience, and $12,000,000 of fundraising success. And my writing style is built on strategic, donor-centered messaging, and the power of clear, compelling, and authentic communication.


MISSION & PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Serving in a variety of positions, I have worked with over 40 nonprofits, both large and small. Their annual budgets have ranged from $100,000 to over $60,000,000, and staff sizes from one to 800+ employees.

As a generalist who loves to learn (and does it quickly), here is a summary of the types of Read more

SOPHIAJOHN Writes is yours truly, Pamela Sophiajohn. I have worked as an independent contractor serving clients from across the United States since January 2009.

My consulting services are based on 14-years of nonprofit experience, and $12,000,000 of fundraising success. And my writing style is built on strategic, donor-centered messaging, and the power of clear, compelling, and authentic communication.


MISSION & PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Serving in a variety of positions, I have worked with over 40 nonprofits, both large and small. Their annual budgets have ranged from $100,000 to over $60,000,000, and staff sizes from one to 800+ employees.

As a generalist who loves to learn (and does it quickly), here is a summary of the types of missions I have been privileged to serve:

– Access to Justice (Legal Education, Legal Assistance)
– Adoption
– Arts (Art Centers, Fiber Arts, Performing Arts)
– Associative Economics
– Beekeeping (Sustainable)
– Biodynamic Agriculture & Biodynamic Preparations
– Child Abuse
– Consulting & Depth Psychology
– Domestic Violence & Trauma
– Education (STEM Education, College Scholarships, etc.)
– Geriatrics (The Elderly)
– Environmental Issues (Green Space, Water)
– Faith-Based Programs
– Families & Parenting
– Health (Aphasia, Breast Cancer, Lung Disease, Neuromuscular Therapy)
– Homelessness
– Jewish Communities
– Museums (Conservation, Exhibits)
– Native Americans
– Social Services
– Special Needs & Developmental Disabilities
– Women’s Issues
– Vocational Services & Workforce Development

I also bring successful experience with a variety of projects:

– Board Retreat Facilitation
– Building Campaigns
– Centennial Celebrations
– Communication Plans
– Development (Fundraising) Plans
– Email Marketing
– Leadership Succession Plans
– Logo Development
– Mission, Vision & Value Statements
– Organizational Capacity Building
– Special Events
– Strategic Planning
– Website Copy


EDUCATION & VOLUNTEERISM

I have been a C.F.R.E. (Certified Fund Raising Executive) since 1998.

My foundational training in fundraising took place at Indiana University’s CENTER ON PHILANTHROPY where I participated in two seminars (each one-week long): Principles & Techniques of Fund Raising and Major Gifts Leadership Development.

My background also includes training in GROUP FACILITATION and MEDIATION from the Chicago Center for Conflict Resolution and the Institute of Cultural Affairs.

I have a Bachelors of Arts from Northeastern IL University in Chicago where I majored in English Literature and Education, and have a minor in Music Theory. (Yes, once upon a time I was an English teacher…)

Currently I give my volunteer time to serve as a Board Member of the Grant Professionals Foundation.

I like to begin client relationships with a free introductory consultation – also known as an old-fashioned “getting to know you” conversation.

Introductory consultations give you the opportunity to ask questions and learn how my services can benefit your organization. And they also give me time to ask a lot of questions and gather the information needed for presenting a realistic project quote and deadline.


EXAMPLES OF COMMON CONSULTATION QUESTIONS

What are the main objectives of your project?
   – Who do you want to reach?
   – What is the key message?
   – What is the call to action?

How does the project fit into organizational goals?

How will you measure its success?

What is your start date? End date?

Who is the project contact person?

What is the approval process for the project? Who has final approval?

What is the project budget?

Does your organization have an editorial style sheet?

• American Bar Association’s Fund for Justice and Education, Chicago IL
• AphasiaAccess, Collingswood NJ
• Associative Economics North America, Columbus OH
• Auglaize County Fairgrounds, Wapakoneta OH
• Biodynamic Farm & Garden Association, Milwaukee WI
• Brand It Communications, Rockford OH
• Camphill Foundation of North America, Chestnut Ridge NY
• Creating A Family, Brevard NC
• CHANA (Counseling, Helpline, & Aid Network for Abused Women), Baltimore MD
• CHOICES Center for Domestic Violence, Columbus OH
• Community Development Services, Chickasaw OH
– Village of Franklin Township, Chickasaw OH
– Grand Lake St. Marys Community Improvement Corporation, Celina OH
– Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission, Celina OH
• Cosmic Home Movies, Ashland OR
• Deborah’s Place, Chicago IL
• Española Valley Fiber Arts Center, Española NM
• Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Floyd VA
• Law and Leadership Institute, Columbus OH
• LearnShare, Toledo OH
• Lighthouse Christian Services, Columbus OH
• Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, Celina OH
• Mercer County Educational Service Center, Celina OH
• SCALE (Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement), Baltimore MD
• Simply Living, Columbus OH
• SIREN Baroque, New York City NY
• Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd VA
• Triform Camphill Community Foundation, Hudson NY
• Ultimate Health & Wellness, Chickasaw OH

•  American Bar Association’s Fund for Justice and Education, Chicago IL
•  AphasiaAccess, Collingswood NJ
•  Associative Economics North America, Columbus OH
•  Auglaize County Fairgrounds, Wapakoneta OH
•  Biodynamic Farm & Garden Association, Milwaukee WI
•  Brand It Communications, Rockford OH
•  Camphill Foundation of North America, Chestnut Ridge NY
•  Creating A Family, Brevard NC
•  CHANA (Counseling, Helpline, & Aid Network for Abused Women), Baltimore MD
•  CHOICES Center for Domestic Violence, Columbus OH
•  Community Development Services, Chickasaw OH
             – Village of Franklin Township, Chickasaw OH
             – Grand Lake St. Marys Community Improvement Corporation, Celina OH
             – Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission, Celina OH
•  Cosmic Home Movies, Ashland OR
•  Deborah’s Place, Chicago IL
•  Española Valley Fiber Arts Center, Española NM
•  Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Floyd VA
•  Law and Leadership Institute, Columbus OH
•  LearnShare, Toledo OH
•  Lighthouse Christian Services, Columbus OH
•  Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, Celina OH
•  Mercer County Educational Service Center, Celina OH
•  SCALE (Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement), Baltimore MD
•  Simply Living, Columbus OH
•  SIREN Baroque, New York City NY
•  Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd VA
•  Triform Camphill Community Foundation, Hudson NY
•  Ultimate Health & Wellness, Chickasaw OH