LEADERSHIP
Melissa Wetzel, CFRE
Founder & President
With 20+ years of experience in the South Florida community, and over $25 Million raised, Melissa's track record of working with organizations small and large are impressive. Melissa is only one of 500 in the state of Florida to carry a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) distinction, and just one of 7,500 around the world. Through Melissa's leadership, Wetzel & Associates brings a level of professionalism & expertise to any nonprofit organization.
Achievements for Wetzel & Associates:
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Closed a mid six-figure gift toward a client's capital campaign.
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Established a private operating foundation complete with IRS and state-required governing documents and procedures.
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Created a robust Development Plan and supported client through implementation.
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Collaborated with a core committee to create a planned giving strategy complete with legacy guide and marketing approach.
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Involved in the hiring process of development staff.
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Rewrote Bylaws and established the client's charity designation with the State of Florida.
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Developed new fundraising revenue streams including events, direct mail campaigns, memberships, and women's giving circle.
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Authored print newsletters, Annual Reports, e-blasts, website and social media content.
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Provided pre-capital campaign analysis with internal recommendations.
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Instituted donor communications plan for ongoing electronic and print outreach.
Appointments:
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CFRE re-certification: 2022
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AFP Miami Board of Directors: 2017 to current
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2025 Immediate Past President. Membership Co-Chair
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2023-24 President. Marketing Chair
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2021-22 President-Elect. Marketing Chair, Mentorship Chair, NPD Chair, & [Joyce Galya] Scholarship Chair
- 2020 Miami-Dade & Broward CFRE Course Co-Chair
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2019 Membership Chair
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2018 Mentorship Co-Chair
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CFRE re-certification: 2019
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Founding Ann Storck Center's Hearts of Gold Society Member: 2018-2019
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Boys & Girls Club "100 Outstanding Women of Broward County" Honoree: 2017
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Founding Wild Bunch Young Professionals Member: 2017 to current
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CFRE certification: 2016
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AFP Miami Speaker:
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2020 "Let's Talk Mentorship"
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2016 "A Conversation About Major Gifts"
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Leadership Broward Class XXVII Alumnus: 2008
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2016 Summit to Leadership Conference Committee
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Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) member: 2003 to current
"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality."
-Warren Bennis
Wetzel & Associates is licensed and bonded through the State of Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. This does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.