Dunham News | The Dunham School, Baton Rouge, LA

Development Offices Announces staff changes

Ciara Martin earns CFRE, prepares to move into new role

The Dunham School is excited to announce that Ciara Martin, Director of Annual Giving, has successfully completed her CFRE certification. With her new certification, Mrs. Martin will move into a new role as Development Officer for Major Gifts in January to assist in the solicitation and cultivation of major giving donors.  

The Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) is the highest industry certification that a fundraising professional can obtain. Requiring expertise in the latest fundraising standards, experience in soliciting donations, and knowledge of stewardship of a donor’s gift, the CFRE identifies Mrs. Martin as a talented fundraiser who demonstrates the highest level of industry and ethical standards. This certification will assist Mrs. Martin in her new role in major giving.

“Ciara is the first member of our team to receive the CFRE certification, and we are thrilled for us and The Dunham community. Ciara continues to demonstrate her desire to grow in her skill set with a desire to be a lifelong learner,” Kelly DeRossette, Director of Development remarked. “Ciara continues to be an amazing asset to our team, and I am thrilled for her to move into her new role in January. She will play a vital role in the upcoming fundraising for Phases II and III of our Campus Master Plan.”

Mrs. Martin joined the development team in July 2021 and has served as the Director of Annual Giving, overseeing one of the most successful stretches of annual fund fundraising in Dunham history. Under her leadership, The Dunham Fund has reached many milestones, and last year had the highest parent participation in five years at 81% total parent participation. Mrs. Martin and her husband, Blake, have two children at Dunham, Nash (K) and Nolan (PK3) and are expecting their third child this month.

Madison Douglas joins Development Team

The Development Office is thrilled to announce the hiring of Madison Douglas as the Annual Giving Coordinator. This new position is a welcomed addition to the team responsible for overseeing The Dunham Fund. As the Annual Giving Coordinator, Mrs. Douglas will oversee the fundraising goal of $900,000 for The Dunham Fund and oversee the volunteer Annual Giving Parent Cabinet. In addition to her fundraising responsibilities, Mrs. Douglas will curate prospecting protocols and a stewardship plan for the development team.

“This position will round out our team in a meaningful way to ensure that donors' gifts are cultivated and stewarded well. Madison was a perfect fit, and we can’t wait to have her join our team,” remarked Director of Development, Kelly DeRossette. 

Reflecting on her new role, Mrs. Douglas said, “I am thrilled to join the development team at The Dunham School, where faith, excellence, and community are at the heart of everything! I look forward to building meaningful relationships and advancing the mission that makes Dunham such a transformative place for students and families.”

Mrs. Douglas joins Dunham after previous roles at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, LSU Alumni Association, and the American Cancer Society where she cultivated donor relationships and built meaningful annual giving solicitations. Originally from Texas, she has lived in Baton Rouge for three years with her husband, Matthew.