This manual may be the most valuable investment your organization makes this year. Succinct, effective and easy to use, Secrets of Successful House Parties provides a template on how to organize and execute the perfect house party. The author, with a broad background in nonprofit organizations, foundations and politics, is no stranger to fundraising or leadership tactics and combines her knowledge of both to help any organization become not only proficient but adept at handling the pitfalls of house parties with the prowess of professional fundraisers.
About the Author: Ms. Gracey's leadership skills developed through a variety of challenging positions: in the public and private sectors, as a donor, an entrepreneur, a management executive, a volunteer, a team member and as a consultant. She has an unyielding commitment to help build strong communities through partnerships among government, nonprofits, philanthropists, political and corporate entities. She is formally educated in psychology. Ms. Gracey formed Grace Concepts in 2002. Since then she has worked with numerous organizations nationally, which include serving as the first woman director of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council at the Democratic National Committee, the DNC's most successful fundraising council. Prior to starting Grace-Concepts, Ms. Gracey served as director of donor resources for the Gill Foundation (Denver, CO). Previously she established grant-application and grant-review procedures for the Women's Foundation of Colorado as the first Programs Director. From 1993 to 1995, Ms. Gracey was chief of staff to Swanee Hunt, U. S. Ambassador to Austria. Ms. Gracey also served Hunt in the United States for several years as the chief of staff for Hunt's political and business activities. Her professional experience also includes directing grassroots advocacy efforts, managing high-level social policy initiatives and developing programs and direct services. Ms. Gracey has a broad background in politics. She served as scheduler for a Colorado governor where she developed and implemented extensive administrative and programmatic reforms. Ms. Gracey served for six years in Mennonite Voluntary Service. She helped to create and operate programs for people experiencing homelessness. She founded and directed a national advocacy organization aimed at reform of the criminal justice system. In addition, she worked with people experiencing major mental illnesses at a community mental health center.