About

Principal Players

Carolyn CaldwellCarolyn Caldwell, CEP has over 20 years’ experience in fundraising and special event management. In addition:

Certifications:

Certified Event Planner, International Society of Meeting Planners
Certificate holder in Grant Writing, HandsOn Central Ohio

Education:

Bachelors of Arts in Journalism, University of South Florida
Bachelors of Arts in Theatre, University of South Florida
Coursework in marketing, OSU’s Fisher College of Business

Memberships:

International Special Events Society
Association of Fundraising Professionals (Central Ohio chapter Board member 2012, 2013)
Grant Professional Association (Central Ohio chapter President 2012)

Workshops Taught:

Non-Profit Event Sponsorship:
Indiana University/Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI)

                             “What I liked most was the knowledge Carolyn
                             had. What surprised me most was how much work
                             goes into a non-profit event.” – IUPUI Student

Grant Writing Basics:
        United Way, Red Cross, Educational Council

                              95% Americorps volunteers rated workshop content & handouts helpful
                              95% Americorps volunteers rated their presenter clear & effective
                              93% Ed Council conference attendees rated their trainer knowledgeable
                              93% Ed Council conference attendees rated training met expectations 

“Carolyn offered a look at Grant Writing 101 which was
both basic but in-depth. I really appreciated Carolyn’s
ability to take a complex conversation and break it down
in a way that was understood by all. Thanks Carolyn!”
– Lynne Wise, AmeriCorps Coordinator

Logic Model: 

Serve Ohio conference

100% gained new knowledge applicable to their work

“I anticipate more grant funding and accomplishment of my organiztion’s mission as the greatest benefit of this training. Nicely done.”
-Workshop attendee

“I will be better able to handle my grant writing responsibilities thanks to this workshop.”
-Workshop attendee

Grant Reviewer:

Ohio Community Service Council
Ohio Department of Education 21st CCLC grants

Grant Funds Raised to date:

over $325,000 in grant funding secured in the past 18 months

Click here to view Carolyn Caldwell’s resume.

Carolyn has access to a wealth of seasoned professionals that work with her to give you full-service evaluation and strategizing of your development and fundraising scheme.

Current Projects

Ohio Campus Compact

Ohio Campus Compact is a coalition of 47 colleges and universities working to promote and develop the civic purposes of higher education. They have successfully piloted a peer-to-peeer advocacy program that positively impacts retention and persistence among low-income community college students. I am thrilled to report that OCC was recently awarded an Americorps VISTA grant to grow the program.

Miami International Piano Festival

Established in 1998, the Miami International Piano Festival is the public outreach vehicle of Patrons of Exceptional Artists, a non-profit organization dedicated to the discovery, promotion, nurturing and support of extraordinary artists. Presenting a calendar full of exciting performances, many never before seen or heard in the world, the Festival has been recognized as one of the most exciting recital series in the world today. I am pleased to be working with these dedicated people to garner financial support through sponsorships and grants. I also write articles and press releases for the Festival.

Columbus Museum of ArtColumbus Museum of Art

Currently I am working with the Columbus Museum of Art on grant funding research, proposal writing and editing, and drafting sponsorship proposals. CMA — whose mission is great experiences with art for everyone! —  has a robust educational component to their programming and a full calendar of exciting exhibitions. Check our their current exhibits of New York’s Photo League and the Lod Mosaic.

Follow Me! Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids

I recently added Follow Me! Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids to my client list. Follow Me! is a program of the Children’s Body-Image Foundation and is working to educate parents on healthy lifestyle choices.

Friends of FakahatcheeFriends of Fakahatchee

I am currently working with the Friends to obtain grant funding to improve their 30-year old boardwalk, include restrooms for the public and safe parking for their visitors. They see 80,000 visitors a year and have no parking, a badly deteriorated boardwalk and 3 Porta-Johns! Click on their logo to visit their website and view the beautiful and unique area of our country that the Friends work to preserve for our enjoyment and the survival of several endangered species.

Phoenix Rising Printmaking CooperativePhoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative

I am also currently working with Phoenix Rising as a Grant Writer and recently won a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council for Phoenix to build a new website! Last year I organized their first-ever fundraising event, which was a resounding success. With the money raised, Phoenix Rising has moved to a larger, more comfortable and better-equipped studio, so they can offer more programs to schools, artists, and non-artists in Central Ohio. Click on their logo to visit their website.

Past Projects

Non-profit fundraising events

Higher education events

  • Capital University (commencements, 2004-2005)
  • The Ohio State University (commencements, dinners, receptions, etc., 2000-2005)

For-profit client events

  • Law and accounting firms (company picnics, employee appreciation parties, etc., 2001-2005)
  • Banks (grand opening of Huntington Bank branches, company picnics; award ceremonies for JPMorgan Chase (formerly Bank One), 2001-2005)
  • National restaurant chains (reveal of new McDonald’s design, 2004)
  • Fahlgren Marketing (3-day medical conference for KIGS/KIMS in Scottsdale, AZ, 2000)
  • Mills-James Productions (4-day sales conference for Standard Register in Maui, 2000)