Sara Murphy
About Sara Murphy
Sara Murphy serves as the Associate Vice President of Individual Giving, Membership, and Development Operations at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where she oversees significant budgets and a team of 15. With a background in theater and extensive experience in fundraising, she has held various leadership roles in notable organizations including The Field Museum and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Current Role at Chicago Botanic Garden
Sara Murphy serves as the Associate Vice President of Individual Giving, Membership, and Development Operations at the Chicago Botanic Garden. In this position, she provides strategic leadership for the Individual Annual Fund, Membership, and fundraising event revenue. She oversees multiple budgets that generate $13 million in revenue with $2 million in expenses. Additionally, she leads Development Operations, which includes managing E-Commerce integration, Development web pages, gift processing, extensive reporting, and data analysis.
Previous Experience in Nonprofit Development
Before her current role, Sara Murphy held various positions in nonprofit development. She worked at The Field Museum as the Manager of Annual Giving from 2005 to 2011. Following that, she served as the Director of Individual Giving at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago from 2011 to 2013. She also held the position of Development Director at Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral for one year in 2013-2014. Her extensive experience in fundraising and development has contributed to her expertise in managing donor relations and fundraising strategies.
Theater Background and Early Career
Sara Murphy has a background in theater, having studied at Hope College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theater from 1991 to 1995. Her early career included a role as Stage Manager at Blue Man Group Chicago from 2005 to 2010, where she worked for five years. This experience in the performing arts has equipped her with skills in project management and team leadership.
Education and Academic Qualifications
Sara Murphy holds a Master of Science (MS) in Public Service Administration from DePaul University, which she completed from 2001 to 2004. Her educational background in both theater and public service administration supports her roles in nonprofit management and development, providing her with a unique perspective on community engagement and fundraising.
Leadership and Strategic Involvement
At the Chicago Botanic Garden, Sara Murphy supervises a team of 15, including four direct reports. She is actively involved in strategic planning, serving on the Strategic Planning Committee and the EDIA Working Group. Her leadership in these committees reflects her commitment to advancing the garden's mission and enhancing its community impact.