December 2023 Educational Program

Preparing for a Future Capital Campaign

Melissa Pence entered the fundraising profession in 2000 after pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public relations and business from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Her first role in the nonprofit sector was with the Alzheimer’s Association East Central Iowa Chapter where she held the position of Special Events & Communications Coordinator. In her role she helped create awareness for Alzheimer’s disease (still relatively unknown at the time) and organized fundraising events in Eastern Iowa. Melissa later moved into the Development Director role with the Alzheimer’s Association and expanded her fundraising role to include annual fund, major gift and planned giving. In 2006, Melissa moved to work for the Sisters of Mercy. In her role with the Sisters of Mercy she increased annual giving, established the ability for donors’ to make contributions online, resurrected the planned giving program, and raised funds for capital projects such as the renovation of Sacred Heart Chapel and Sacred Heart Convent in Cedar Rapids. In 2008, an organizational merger with the Sisters of Mercy, led to new experiences in the fundraising trade including development of a new policies and procedures manual, drafting of new gift acceptance policies, establishing a monthly giving program and additional campaigns to raise funds for the Sisters’ ministries and to renovate and build new retirement communities and retreat centers across the Midwest and Western part of the United States. 

During her time with the Sisters of Mercy, Melissa first became a Certified Fund Raising Executive in 2010. She has successfully maintained her credentials and recertified every three years. 

Melissa returned to the Alzheimer’s Association in 2013 to serve as the Executive Director of the East Central Iowa Chapter. In her second time around at the Alzheimer’s Association, Melissa managed a budgeted of over $1 million and the chapter was one of the most successful in the chapter network in raising most funds per population capita. While in leadership at the Alzheimer’s Association, Melissa earned her Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from Mount Mercy University. At the end of Melissa’s tenure at the Alzheimer’s Association she assisted in the transition of the East Central Iowa Chapter into the statewide Iowa Chapter.

In 2019, Melissa joined AMPERAGE Marketing & Fundraising as a Fundraising Adviser. In her role at AMPERAGE, Melissa assists nonprofit organizations in conducting feasibility studies and development office audits, training and mentoring to development team and board members, developing fundraising plans, and providing consultation to capital campaigns where she has helped raise over $20 million for worthwhile community projects over various nonprofit sectors. 

Melissa has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 2007 and is a past board member of the AFP Eastern Iowa Chapter. She also serves as past president of the Eastern Iowa Planned Giving Council.