SPARCC Director of Development Mary Ellen Mancini has been awarded the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Designation. Previously a family travel writer for Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and a freelance writer in the Sarasota community, Mancini became the Director of Development for SPARCC in 2015. She has extensive experience in donor relations, copywriting, marketing, event planning, program direction and leadership. She is a graduate of the 2019 Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Leadership Institute and she has a bachelor’s degree in advertising, public relations and applied communications, with a minor in journalism, from the University of Central Florida. 

To be granted the CFRE credential, individuls must meet a series of standards set by CFRE International, which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement. They must also pass a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and agree to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights. Employers and donors who work with CFREs know they are getting a professional who is committed to the best outcomes for their organization and has the requisite knowledge and skills.

SPARCC’s mission is to stop domestic and sexual violence in our communities. It is the only state-certified center for domestic violence and sexual assault services for Sarasota and Desoto Counties. All services are free and confidential. In addition to serving survivors, SPARCC is actively engaged in promoting social change through community awareness and education, in an effort to prevent violence in the future.

“I am very proud to have earned my CFRE Certification,” says Mancini. “It acts as an impartial endorsement of my knowledge and experience, and demonstrates my commitment to the fundraising profession.”

For more information click here