Laura Sweeney is a development professional and strategist based in the Northeastern US. She works with organizations and individuals to craft innovative strategies in support of sustainable growth and creative community-building.
FUND Consulting
2023-Present
As a Senior Consultant, I provide a portfolio of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), including banks, loan funds, and credit unions, with strategic guidance, grant writing services, certification support, award management, and data analysis to ensure compliance and future success. I co-led the pilot of a data dashboard project, collecting, synthesizing, and presenting data in context to help CDFIs make informed decisions in alignment with their goals. I work closely with organizations to develop strategic and community development plans and to create instruments such as surveys that generate insights about areas of service and impact.
Association of Art Museum Curators
2022-2023
As Development Manager, I worked to advance the organization’s mission to elevate curatorial work and champion diversity and equity in the field. In service of this mission, I helped to shape valued programs, craft grant and sponsorship proposals, and establish partnerships with key stakeholders in the arts.
ITHAKA (JSTOR & Ithaka S+R)
2019-2022
Between 2019 and 2022 I worked in several different capacities at ITHAKA, a non-profit organization seeking to improve access to knowledge. As a Development Analyst, I saw numerous projects through from conception, collaborating with research teams with areas spanning arts and culture, libraries, educational technology, and more. I worked to build relationships with foundations and deliver compelling, awarded proposals to private and government funders.