Ashley M.

Ruth-Bowers, MPA, MSW

ashleymruth@gmail.com ashleymruthbowers.weebly.com

Education
Masters Degree
August 2011 April 2016
Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, MI
Social Work; Public Administration
Nonprofit Management and Leadership
GPA: 3.8
Phi Alpha member
Nu Lambda Mu member

Bachelors of Science
August 2006 May 2010
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI
Women and Gender Studies; Psychology
GPA: 3.15
Iota, Iota, Iota Honor Society President
Hunger and Homelessness Secretary

Professional Experience
State of Michigan | Assistance Payments Worker | July 2010 Present | Grand Rapids, MI

Selected by management to specialize in Child Development and Care services

Awarded State Coin of Teamwork and leadership as nominated by Section Manager and chosen by
the Kent County Director
Maintain an accuracy of 95% for the food assistance program and process applications within
92.86% of the Standard of Promptness timeline
Open and maintain daycare services for families, specializing in foster care families
Effectively and efficiently interact with several organizations to gather necessary
information for foster care daycare cases
Manage an ongoing caseload of 650+ families currently receiving benefits through the State
Continuously participate in educational expansion on all State policies regarding
benefit programs including food assistance, healthcare, daycare, cash, and disability,
as well as the Bridges case management software
Conduct monthly reviews to re-evaluate benefit eligibility for State programs
Communicate effectively with clients and build customer loyalty regarding benefit policy,
changes and determinations
Partner with families to become self-sustaining financially and assist individuals in finding
employment

Arts in Motion Studio | Director of Donor Relations | June 2016 Present | Grand Rapids, MI

Create, implement and lead donor relations program

Enter and update all donor information into the donor database
Track donations including monetary, materials, and time
Analyze donor giving trends and provide insight on improvements, yearly asks, and fundraising
Work with the Executive Director to build and maintain donor relationships
Track and maintain donor acknowledgement process (initial contact, thank you cards, phone calls)
Research and report on new donor tracking software
Manage and maintain all social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
Gather and create content for monthly newsletter.

Ashley M. Ruth-Bowers | 1

Arts in Motion Studio | MSW/MPA Intern | May 2015 April 2016| Grand Rapids, MI

Develop and maintain database for donor tracking, student information and community partner
information
Research board development and growth plan
Participate in community organizing and outreach
Fund development for the organizations largest fundraiser of the year
Assist in the seeking and composition of grants
Create community guides reflecting issues, best practices, and approaches for working with
individuals with disabilities
Evaluate community accessibility for all abilities
Learn about individuals with disabilities and how art impacts their quality of life
Expand and strengthen social work and nonprofit management skills

Grand Valley State University | Writing Center Receptionist | January 2007 May 2010 | Allendale, MI

Developed the ability to properly multi-task in a busy environment

Managed the front desk, which included answering the telephone, greeting clients and
guests, checking out writing materials to students, and updating or creating office data
sheets
Assisted at least 75 people daily who visited the Writing Center
Answered multi-line telephone system and property received and delivered messages
Developed proper use of copy and fax machine
Scheduled students over the phone or in person for consultations using a unique web-based
system

Family Futures | Connections Program Intern | January 2010 May 2010 | Grand Rapids, MI

Initiated research and developed program materials to include more diversity within the Connections
Program clientele
Created agendas and ran supervision meetings weekly to stay current on all past, present and future
projects
Scored Ages and Stages Questionnaires for families participating in the Connections Program and
made contact with clients who needed more information on their childs development
Researched current information on child development for ages 0-5 years to mail to parents who has
questions about their childs development process/stage or for children who scored low on the Ages
and Stages Questionnaire

Grand Valley State University | Womens Center Intern | May 2007 August 2007| Allendale, MI

Created tutorials for local agencies and students who volunteer through the Womans Issues
Volunteer Corps revolving around gender-based issues and equality
Coded student reflection essays to discover patterns of emotions from volunteering to be used for
various grant proposals and reports
Researched and updated information on womens issues in the community on a local, national, and
global level to be used for future programs that the Womens Center would be participating in

Ashley M. Ruth-Bowers | 2

Professional Affiliations & Certificates

National Association of Social Workers

Young Nonprofit Professional Network of Greater Grand Rapids
Certified in Nonprofit Board Leadership through the Johnson Center of Philanthropy
Certified in Crucial Accountability through the State of Michigan

Skills

Microsoft Office proficient

Experienced in working in a diverse, fastpaced environment
Ability to communicate through all forms
of media
Proficient in several social media platforms

Successful at meeting goals in a timely

matter
Excellent capability to organize and plan
effectively and efficiently
Comprehensive knowledge of local and
State resources

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