Michael Mendelow
Writer/Editor

Michael Skinner Mendelow

Websites:

• http://www.michaelmendelow.com

Editorial Specialist for the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. Serve as managing editor and contributing writer for national quarterly magazine. Available for freelance writing and editing projects.

For over 20 years, Michael has linked vital nonprofit organizations with key audiences, including the general public, community supporters, donors and volunteers. Consider having him tell your story.

Communication Specialties:

•Acting as the reader's advocate by making text riveting, streamlined and unambiguous

•Interviewing experts to write profiles, editorials and substantive articles

•Writing narratives that intrigue by highlighting the people who benefit from an organization's work

•Editing to condense and spruce up prose lacking focus

•Retooling existing text for new purposes (from detailed magazine article to web blurb, for example)

•Collaborating with photographers, designers and printers--across the street or across the US

•Nimbly moving from internal to external communications, printed piece to web module

Contract writing and editing work up to 20 hours per week. While based in Seattle, Michael is adept at telecommuting and available for limited travel.

• Bachelor of Arts in English, Magna Cum Laude, California State University, Fresno, 1985

• Web Content Design for Writers and Editors (six weeks), Bellevue Community College, 2005

• Principles and Techniques of Fund Raising 101 (one week), Fund Raising School, 1999

Editorial Specialist, 2004 to Present, National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association (Seattle, WA)

Responsible for web content and a variety of publications at a national child advocacy organization serving 900+ local CASA programs throughout the US:

• Serve as managing editor of quarterly national magazine The Connection (circ. 38,000), leading editorial board, soliciting contributions from internal and external authors, interviewing subjects, writing articles and profiles, copy-editing content, providing direction to photographers, and managing production process with designer and printer. Interviewed movement founders and performed in-depth archival research to lead creation of 30th anniversary issue (spring 2007). Nearly 800 respondents to 2007 online reader survey rated the following attributes of the magazine as effective to extremely effective: clarity of writing (98%); making reader better informed about child welfare issues (91%); and helping reader feel more connected to national cause (89%).

• Manage content for nationalcasa.org, a marketing website aimed at the general public. Led the content team for the redesign debuting in 2006, leading to a 23% increase in visitor sessions in 2007 (to approximately 690,000).

• Wrote, edited, and managed production of three agency annual reports. One Child's Story, the 2005 edition, won three awards from the League of American Communications Professionals, including first place in the annual report category for organizations with budgets up to $1 billion.

• Edit and format other publications read by CASA staff and supporters nationwide.

Foundation Relations Manager, 2001 to 2004, National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (Seattle, WA)

Performed prospect research, project development, funder cultivation and stewardship, proposal and report writing, and other aspects of foundation and corporate grantseeking. Drafted proposals and reports for annual $3.8 million grant from the Department of Justice.

Development Director, 1999-2001, Grants Director, 1998-1999, Blind Babies Foundation (San Francisco, CA)

Raised $1,000,000 per year from foundations, corporations, and individuals. Oversaw grants, major gifts, direct mail, planned giving, and special events as well as community relations. Supervised three staff members. Wrote or edited all grant proposals and reports, increasing funding commitments by 45% in one 12-month period.

Contract Grantwriter (Oakland and San Jose, CA), 1991-1998

Developed proposals to funding agencies for nonprofit organizations. Identified sources, wrote proposals, and performed stewardship activities. Over three years, secured $1.3 million in funding for San Jose Repertory Theatre. At AIDS Resources, Information & Services of Santa Clara County, helped more than double corporate and foundation revenues two years in a row. First grantwriting assignment resulted in federal award of $12.9 million.

Office Manager/Grant Developer, Patrick & Associates (San Jose, CA), 1992-1994

Managed the flow of all work and correspondence for fundraising consulting firm. Provided liaison with clients, employees, and contractors. Performed direct client work, including prospect research, proposal writing, and project tracking.

Freelance Writing and Electronic Publishing (Fresno and San Jose, CA), 1989-1992

Provided writing, editing, and electronic publishing services to business and education clients. Completed projects from research to creation of copy to production of camera-ready art. Composed and typeset newsletters, proposals, annual reports, books, manuals, and brochures.

Technical Writer, FIserv Fresno, Inc. (formerly GESCO Corp.), 1986-1989

Wrote and formatted user manuals documenting financial data processing systems. Participated on development teams for new products. Edited client newsletters, proposals, and marketing presentations. Trained new Publications Department employees.