Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Jessica Wayne is a fundraising professional, offering a broad scope of services such as the development of fundraising plans, prospect research, grant writing and sponsorship solicitation.  She has extensive experience in development and communications, with a strong background in large-scale fundraising campaigns, account/relationship management and writing.

Her consultancy was launched in late 2006, following a longstanding role with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as Director of Corporate Development.  While there, Jessica Wayne was responsible for raising over $4 million for the CSO’s operations annually through outright gifts, sponsorships, event and in-kind support.  Prior to this, Jessica Wayne served as Director of Development for The Great American Children’s Theatre Company in Milwaukee, WI where she created and implemented the company’s first development plan, setting forth goals, strategies and timelines for fundraising efforts.

As a consultant, Jessica works with a broad range of nonprofit organizations from various sectors (health, social services, education, arts) and of varying sizes. Examples include:

• The Rosecrance Foundation: Lead grant writer to prepare government, foundation and corporate grant proposals; conduct prospect research; manage the grant calendar and follow-up reporting.
• United Way of Rock River Valley: Conduct prospect research to identify funding sources for United Way’s new Middle School Success initiative; create a prioritized prospect spreadsheet/grant calendar; prepare and submit grant proposals.
• American College of Surgeons Foundation: Launched efforts to build ACS’ corporate and foundation fundraising program; oversee the fundraising campaign to generate industry support for ACS’ annual Clinical Congress.
• St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Conducted a feasibility study for SLSO’s capital campaign to renovate Symphony Hall.

Jessica Wayne holds a master’s degree in community arts management and a bachelor’s degree in history and economics from the University of Illinois. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Women in Development Professions.