Luke Dumas

Luke Dumas has extensive work experience in the field of fundraising and development. Luke is currently serving as the Director of Grants and Annual Giving at Brevard Zoo, where they oversee a team responsible for raising $4 million annually through various fundraising programs. Luke also manages a portfolio of high-level prospects and works closely with the CEO and Chief Philanthropy Officer to develop solicitation strategies. Prior to this role, Luke was the Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations at Brevard Zoo, where they raised nearly $9 million in 2022 for the organization's Our Legacy Campaign.

Before joining Brevard Zoo, Luke worked as the Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where they formulated strategies for soliciting grants and donations from corporations and foundations. Luke also wrote grant proposals and obtained multiple significant gifts.

Luke also has experience in the non-profit sector, having served as the Director of Development at Serving Seniors, where they raised funds through grants, sponsorships, and donations. Luke also oversaw donor relations and stewardship activities. Earlier in their career, they worked at National University as a Grants Coordinator, managing pre-award grant functions and coaching faculty members on grant writing.

Luke also gained experience at California Western School of Law, where they managed the corporate and foundation grants program and led donor communications efforts. Luke was involved in prospect research and the development of stewardship strategies.

Luke began their career as a Consultant at Raise the Bar Consulting, providing grant writing and research services to various nonprofit clients. Luke successfully obtained multiple grants in this role.

Prior to that, they worked at American Red Cross Southern Arizona Chapter as a Grant Writer, where they wrote and submitted grant proposals and played a key role in fundraising initiatives.

Overall, Luke Dumas has demonstrated expertise in securing grants and donations, managing fundraising teams, and developing solicitation strategies for high-level prospects.

Luke Dumas completed their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago from 2008 to 2011. Following this, they pursued a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Creative Writing at The University of Edinburgh from 2012 to 2013.