Francis Awinda
Glendale
Summary
Creative content developer and newsletter publication with extensive experience in engaging digital narratives for diverse platforms. Skilled in researching historical topics to enhance storytelling, driving audience engagement and growth.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Development Coordinator
Sun Health Foundation
Surprise
04.2022 - Current
- Support grant application processes by researching funding opportunities.
- Provide administrative support for fundraisers.
- Maintain databases to ensure accurate information on donor profiles and contacts.
- Update donor records in the Raiser's Edge database ensuring accuracy at all times.
- Updated donor digital wall and support donor recognition
Content Developer
Think Museums
Glendale
01.2012 - 09.2025
- Developing engaging content on museums and the arts for the Think Museums YouTube channel, which has over 8,000 subscribers.
- Creating and developing engaging content for TikTok channel, which has over 21,000 followers.
- Researched historical topics to enhance exhibit narratives for content creation.
- Video editing and context photo shooting.
Instructor-Independent Contractor
Sun City Grand Learning
Surprise
01.2013 - 12.2022
- Developed engaging lessons for seniors and other participants.
- Incorporated current events into lessons in order to engage participants' interest in real-world applications.
- Utilized technology tools to enhance instruction.
Administrator/Grant Writer
Payson Community Kids
Payson
10.2015 - 09.2016
- Completed grant applications with supporting documentation to secure funding proposals, grant application narratives and budgets to finalize with development prior to submittal.
- Tracked grant opportunities, deadline dates and required materials.
- Identified new sources of grant funding, including corporate, private, and government grants.
- Developed and updated a database of partners and supporters.
- Supervised administrative functions.
- Timely communication with donors and partners.
- Assisted the president and the Board with day-to-day operations.
- Updating website and social media platforms
Wikipedian in Residence-WikiAfrica
Africa Centre
Cape Town
12.2011 - 12.2012
- Content and article liaison and writer for the Africa Centre and WikiAfrica’s content partners; Community coordinator to strengthen the relationship between WikiAfrica and museums.
- Wikipedia guide and coach who encourages, communicates with, and assists all new Wikipedians drawn to the project; digitization and online posting of archival materials from museums and cultural institutions.
- Digitizing and online posting of archival materials from museums and cultural institutions.
- Added content to the Wikimedia Commons and Wikisource sites from digital archives existing at the Africa Centre, and from project partner organizations.
- Worked with project partner staff to explain Wikipedia and Creative Commons practices Communicating all content successes and general issues around the project with the Wikipedian community, and the interested public via direct emails, newsletter articles, social media and blog posts.
Information Officer
International Council Of African Museums
Nairobi
02.2003 - 12.2011
- Development and management of the International Council of African Museums Information Centre, which is focused on creating easy access to heritage information for museum professionals in Africa.
- Responsible for publications, marketing strategies, and liaison with museums in Africa and beyond.
- Presenting AFRICOM at international conferences and meetings.
- Management of the website, social media marketing, content writing, and web page uploads.
- Managing editor of the magazine, uploading a soft copy to the website, and distributing the hard copies to four hundred museum professionals in fifty African countries and beyond.
- Moderator of the online discussion forum for museum professionals.
- Keeping regular contact with journalists and customs officials on the illicit trafficking of cultural objects.
- Budgeting and overseeing staff and interns at the Information Center.
Education
PostGraduate in Museums and Heritage - Museum Studies
University of The Western Cape
Cape Town03-2009
2nd Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Information Technology
NC A&T
North CarolinaSkills
- Fundraising support
- Database management
- Content development
- Research skills
- Project coordination
- Video editing
- Website Development
- Nonprofit experience
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
Affiliations
- Made presentations in Europe,America and different countries in Africa
Languages
English
Professional
Swahili
Native/ Bilingual
French
Limited
Accomplishments
- Received Scholarships twice from Museum and the Web to participate in global Conferences in Denver and San Diego
- Full Scholarship to pursue Postgraduate in Museums Studies
- Currently Full tuition Scholarship for 2nd degree program at North Carolina A& T State University
Certification
- Certificate in Web Design Specialization
Websites
Timeline
Development Coordinator
Sun Health Foundation
04.2022 - Current
Administrator/Grant Writer
Payson Community Kids
10.2015 - 09.2016
Instructor-Independent Contractor
Sun City Grand Learning
01.2013 - 12.2022
Content Developer
Think Museums
01.2012 - 09.2025
Wikipedian in Residence-WikiAfrica
Africa Centre
12.2011 - 12.2012
Information Officer
International Council Of African Museums
02.2003 - 12.2011
PostGraduate in Museums and Heritage - Museum Studies
University of The Western Cape
2nd Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Information Technology
NC A&T