• About DDS

Since 2011, Donor Development Strategies, LLC has specialized in the professional delivery of fundraising and membership appeals straight to the doorsteps of prospective donors for non-profit organizations. As more organizations and non-profits compete for fundraising dollars, it is critical for today’s non-profits to take the initiative to get out and talk face-to-face with the community that funds the services stations provide  every day.

Our team consists of field experts that specialize in targeted, professional outreach capable of developing and executing a superior donor development strategy for non-profit organizations of all types and sizes.

“Canvassing has reinvigorated our off-air acquisition program, and brings in a great ratio of sustainers compared to mail! We didn’t know if canvassing would be as effective for radio as it is for TV, and were pleased to find it stacks up just as well. DDS provides excellent customer service, as well as great budget and results spreadsheets. Sometimes people just need someone to show up at the door and DDS is there to do the job with smarts, care, and experience.”

“Canvass is our top source for new donors, even more than pledge drives.”

“OPB first launched canvassing with DDS as our vendor in 2014. Over that time canvassing has become a critical part of our investment in new member acquisition. Canvassing is now our second highest source of new members, bringing in significantly more new members than TV and radio drives combined with significant net revenue over the life of the program. The DDS team is professional and great to work with. Their canvassers do a great job of representing OPB in our communities.”

“Canvassing has reinvigorated our off-air acquisition program, and brings in a great ratio of sustainers compared to mail! We didn’t know if canvassing would be as effective for radio as it is for TV, and were pleased to find it stacks up just as well. DDS provides excellent customer service, as well as great budget and results spreadsheets. Sometimes people just need someone to show up at the door and DDS is there to do the job with smarts, care, and experience.”

Are you a station that would like us to canvass for you? Email us at [email protected].

Our Team

Mike O’Connell – Chief Executive Officer

Mike O’Connell brings extensive labor, campaign, market research and program management experience to Donor Development Strategies (DDS). Mike broad-based experience has helped to develop and manage a nation-wide company dedicated to helping non-profit organizations achieve their missions.

Mike currently oversees all aspects of a national program that, in almost fifteen years, has worked with 27 different stations in 22 states with impressive results: knocked on over 17 million doors; conducted more than 7 million conversations; acquired almost 600,000 members and raised almost $50 million in support of public media.

In addition to DDS, Mike manages multiple companies in the political sphere, focusing on ballot access, grassroots outreach and community organizing. He is a targeting and data management expert, which, when combined with extensive experience running field campaigns, ensures that every project is uniquely tailored to its specific needs.

Mark Truax – President

Mark Truax brings a wealth of expertise in program management, operations, and strategic communications to Donor Development Strategies (DDS). Within the firm, Mark focuses on optimizing internal operations—streamlining processes, modernizing practices, and driving efficiencies to strengthen organizational performance. He collaborates with the DDS team to craft and position fundraising strategies that align with the unique goals and objectives of each nonprofit partner.

With deep experience in the nonprofit sector, Mark is recognized as a forward-thinking leader. His service on multiple nonprofit boards has provided firsthand insight into the critical role of sustainable fundraising models. As the landscape evolves, Mark champions innovative approaches to help organizations of all sizes adapt and thrive.

Beyond his work at DDS, Mark owns a national public affairs firm, advising clients on strategic outreach and engagement. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, where he also serves on the Board of Trustees.

Trever Hutcheson – VP of Operations

Trever Hutcheson, VP of Operations, has over a decade of experience managing citizen outreach campaigns across the U.S. His expertise spans year-round fundraising efforts, development work, and election-year expansions, making him adept at tailoring outreach strategies to meet the unique needs of each client. Trever began his career with the Public Interest Network, where he served as a campus organizer and canvass director around the country, building both citizen and financial support for public interest campaigns.

Since joining Donor Development Strategies in 2015, Trever has worked to enhance membership acquisition and development for PBS and NPR stations nationwide through door-to-door outreach. Under his leadership, his team has knocked on over 15 million doors, secured approximately 500,000 individual contributions, and delivered $42 million in funding to PBS and NPR partners in over 12 states.

Based in Denver, CO, Trever enjoys spending his free time playing music, the outdoors, and traveling.

Holly LaPlante – National Field Director

Holly LaPlante serves as National Field Director at Donor Development Strategies, where she began her journey as a Regional Field Director managing a portfolio of offices. Over the past several years, she has demonstrated strong leadership in growing and managing canvassing teams, ultimately stepping into her current role taking a national perspective.

In this role, Holly manages national operations and a team of Regional Directors, helping drive performance across DDS’s partnerships with public broadcasting member stations. With a strong foundation in door-to-door canvassing, Holly has a hands-on understanding of field operations and community engagement that drives success across markets. In addition to leading field strategy, Holly oversees vendor management and reporting functions to ensure transparency and efficiency across campaigns. Her field experience and commitment to public media makes her a central force in DDS’s continued growth and success.

Holly is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, where she double majored in Women’s Studies and Environmental Studies—an academic foundation that sparked her passion for advocacy and justice. During her time in college, she conducted research assessing quality of life in Los Angeles and participated in “LA Votes,” a project distributing surveys at polling places to better understand voter experience. After college, Holly gained political campaign experience working on Colorado State Senator Tom Sullivan’s campaign, further strengthening her commitment to community-focused initiatives and public service. She also gained early field experience through street canvassing for several nonprofit organizations, including the ACLU and the International Rescue Committee, deepening her passion for civic engagement and grassroots outreach.

JOB OPENINGS

Canvasser Job Openings
Field Manager Job Openings
Canvass Director Job Openings
Regional Field Director Job Openings

Contact Us

Donor Development Strategies, LLC
141 Union Boulevard
Suite 300
Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone: (720) 536-8705

[email protected]

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