Mark Hernandez

Information about Mark's experience as a ghostwriter/co-author and as a consultant to grantmakers will be furnished in response to direct inquiries only, out of respect for his clients' desire for confidentiality.

CURRENT CLIENTS

San Francisco Classical Voice
• Creating content for grant applications, reports, and related materials
• Making recommendations regarding prospective funders

San Francisco Opera
• Creating content for 2011-12 patron newsletters and program magazines
• Creating production sponsorship proposals for major individual gifts prospects
• Completing special assignments

FORMER CLIENTS

California Shakespeare Theater (2001)
• Wrote template proposals for general operating support and youth education programs
• Wrote original and renewal grant proposals, funded from $1,000 to $50,000
• Assisted staff with fundraising strategies

Cantabile (2000)
• Wrote proposal that led to the organization’s first foundation grant ($2,500)
• Wrote template proposals for general operating support and youth education programs

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library (2008)
• Wrote original and renewal grant proposals, funded from $2,000 to $25,000
• Assisted with prospect research

Magic Theatre (2002)
• Identified and solicited a new foundation funder, resulting in a new $10,000 grant

Merola Opera Program (2001-2005)
• Created content for promotional brochure and annual reports
• Wrote solicitation letters
• Performed comprehensive review of grant history
• Wrote renewal request to the California Arts Council, funded at $6,000

Mexican Museum (2000)
• Wrote application to the National Endowment for the Arts
• Created draft prospectus on digital conservation project

Museum of Craft and Folk Art (2004)
• Wrote three renewal requests, two funded (at $10,500 and $55,200 respectively)

San Francisco Ballet (2001-02)
• Served as interim Institutional Gifts Manager for nearly a year:
— Maintained relations with foundations and public funding agencies
— Wrote original and renewal grant proposals, funded from $1,000 to $650,000
— Managed reportage and record-keeping
— Ensured that grant terms were fulfilled
— Created new proposal templates
— Drafted case statement for Endowment Campaign
— Assisted senior staff with planning

San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• Created initial foundation prospect list for capital campaign (2000)
• Served as interim Foundations Coordinator for four weeks (2010):
— Wrote original and renewal grant proposals, funded from $5,000 to $43,000
— Assisted senior staff with planning

San Francisco Lyric Opera (2004)
• Reviewed organizational status and provided written evaluation
• Created foundation prospect list

San Francisco Opera
• Served as interim Director of Institutional Gifts for four months (2005):
— Maintained relations with foundations and public funding agencies
— Wrote original and renewal grant requests, funded from $2,500 to $250,000
— Managed reportage and record-keeping
— Assisted senior staff with planning
• Served as interim Gifts Processing Coordinator for six weeks (2008):
— Processed all contributed income
— Managed complex financial records
— Generated reports
• Wrote content for patron newsletters and program magazines (since 2008)
• Wrote content for the 2006-07 Single Ticket Brochure
• Wrote content for the 2005-06 subscription campaign
• Wrote production sponsorship proposals for major individual gifts prospects (since 2002)
• Wrote application to the National Endowment for the Arts, funded at $40,000 (2004)

San Francisco Symphony (2004-2007)
• Created written content for major donor solicitation letters and brochures

EDUCATION AND SPECIAL TRAINING

San Francisco Conservatory of Music (1986-1992)
• Bachelors and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance

University of Notre Dame (1983-1985)
• College of Arts and Letters (no degree)

The Grantsmanship Center (1998)
• “Program Planning & Proposal Writing” workshop

COMMUNITY SERVICE

San Francisco Conservatory of Music (Since 2010)
• Volunteer, Scholarship Committee

Each One Reach One (2008-10)
• Volunteer Performer

San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocates (2001-05)
• Volunteer Advocate

Latin American Chamber Music Society (2001-2004)
• Member, Board of Directors

WRITING SAMPLES AND REFERENCES

Available upon request