Melissa Martin

Dallas, Texas 75228

972-523-3821 • dallasgarden100@yahoo.com

www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-martin-11309

Nonprofit Management Professional

Operations/Project Management: Mission focused leadership, taking organization’s vision into reality and philosophy into practice. Creative problem solver with attention to detail and budget; combines project planning with effective use of staffing/Board/volunteer strengths to deliver effective programs and events which meet community needs.

Community Partnerships: Effective in building mutually beneficial partnerships in the local and national business community, non-profits and local service organizations.

Fiscal and Grant Management: Planning and implementation of all financial and budgeting activities related to program operations. Knowledgeable in identifying funding prospects for specific needs, and writing grant proposals and reports.

Program Development: Experienced in designing and managing innovative educational programming that achieve organizational goals, including digital formats.

Experience

Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, TX February 2014 – July 1, 2020

Outreach Coordinator

Supervised daily school programming in order to ensure a high quality of delivery to schools and organizations.

· Hired, Trained and mentored a strong team of 15-20 informal science educators to provide innovative science programming.

· Reorganized departmental employee scheduling and record keeping procedures utilizing Tessatura/Artifax database and excel spreadsheets.

· Implemented cost savings procedures for maintenance and purchasing of supplies and equipment resulting in improved department budget.

· Created new programs and updated current programming/curricula annually, including digital content for website and YouTube channel.

· Maintained a high level of communication, both written and verbal with multiple staff members, school personnel, program contacts outside the museum and the visiting public on a daily basis.

Big Thought/Arts Partners, Dallas, TX October 2011 – January 2014

Teaching Artist: Herbert Marcus Elementary, Casa View Elementary

Created Butterfly and vegetable gardens utilizing students and adult volunteers. Built and taught an innovative STEAM and gardening curriculum for grades K- 6th.

Site Guide/Casa View Elementary

Supervised and assisted Second Grade students during homework and activity sessions.

Melissa Anne Martin dallasgarden100@yahoo.com Page Two

Texas Discovery Gardens, Dallas, TX January 2006 - August 2011

Executive Director, January 2006– August 2011

· Lead fund raising efforts including grant writing and management, direct asks and special events leading to new revenue streams and improved donor relations.

· Oversaw project management during the construction and renovation of a historic building in Fair Park, creating the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium, the first permanent Butterfly House in North Texas.

· Strengthened the organization’s partnership with the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department and City Council.

· Implemented water saving landscape practices, improved irrigation and procured free annual donations of services and supplies.

· Increased community awareness by focusing on unique, mission related programming and exhibits, providing excellent customer service and improving community outreach, marketing and public relations.

Texas Discovery Gardens, Dallas, TX

Director of Adult and Family Programs, March 2001 – January 2006

· Increased volunteer numbers from 150 to 300, establishing a strong base of enthusiastic and motivated individuals who assisted in program delivery and horticultural maintenance.

· Implemented beneficial partnerships with local community groups and interfaced with local businesses to secure donations of goods and services for TDG.

· Conducted research, wrote and presented educational materials for children’s and adult programming and volunteer training. Created, designed and procured materials for exhibits. Wrote articles on horticultural topics for local magazines.

· Created and implemented innovative workshops and classes for families and adults resulting in new revenue streams.

Dallas Museum of Natural History, Dallas, TX August 1994 – January 2001

Volunteer Coordinator and Natural History Educator

Developed and taught science programming for adults and children, managed 150 Volunteers and secured donations of goods and services.

Education

Bachelor of Science, B.S. , Ornamental Horticulture, Texas Tech University

Certificate in Non Profit Management from the Center for Non Profit Management (5/7/2007)

Memberships/Affiliations

Dallas Association of Directors of Volunteers

IEDC

Texas Tech Alumni Association

Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, Texas Certified Nursery Professional #1113

The Native Plant Society of Texas

North Texas Master Naturalist

Honorary Dallas County Master Gardener

Dallas Paleontological Society