Thorn Unmf

October 21, 2009

University of New Mexico Foundation Attn: Tobie Webb Two Woodward Center 700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Ste. 108 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Dear University of New Mexico Foundation, I’m excited to apply to be the Associate Vice President for Corporate and Foundation Relations at the University of New Mexico Foundation. You will find that my background and experience demonstrate my qualifications for this post, and that I am well equipped to help the foundation reach the next level—and beyond—in its efforts to support the students, patients, and programs at UNM. Four fundamentals inform my work: it must be mission-focused, people-centered, cost-effective, and supporters must be thanked at every opportunity. Putting these principles into practice has given me the leadership edge successful nonprofits are looking for. From what I understand of the foundation’s history, my experience at my current job would serve me well during this time of growth at the foundation. I joined the Drug Policy Alliance in 2000 when it had only recently become an independent organization. I was quickly promoted and I have been responsible for creating and growing the complex operations of a small department now raising nearly $10 million in annual revenue. I have particularly keen experience in establishing and expanding an individual giving program with a focus on major donors. I also manage the relationship with our largest foundation funder, a $4 million annual grant from the Open Society Institute (OSI), and an additional $1 million personal gift from George Soros, the donor behind OSI. I help manage our relationships with nearly thirty other foundations—both private and corporate—giving from $5,000 to $750,000 a year. In addition to my fundraising experience I bring significant management skills to the table. I supervise a department of four full time employees and several rotating interns and volunteers. As a

longstanding member of the five-person senior management team, I am heavily involved in all cross-organizational matters, including budgeting and expense tracking, employee policies, communications and media, liaising with the board of directors, working with auditors, and participating in program development and oversight. Perhaps one of my best assets for this application, and one of the reasons I want this job, is because I love UNM. Although I’m writing you from the East Coast, my roots in New Mexico are deep. I was born in Socorro, raised in Quemado, Albuquerque, and Deming, and graduated from UNM in 1998 with a B.A. in sociology. My first job out of college was with Sen. Pete Domenici in Washington. Much of my family has been in New Mexico since the Spanish settlement, and we are scattered from Las Cruces to Farmington. My bi-cultural background, and my familiarity with the challenges facing UNM and the people of New Mexico, means I can hit the ground running. I am considering a permanent return to New Mexico to be close to my family, hike, eat good food and go to Lobo basketball games. This position seems like a great fit and a wonderful opportunity, and I look forward to talking to you about it further. Thank you for your consideration of my application, and I look forward to your response. Kind regards,

Clovis Thorn 400 W 25th St Apt 3D New York, NY 10001 (646) 335-2263 [email protected]