Exceptional Effort
Exceptional Ventures Consulting is built on a foundation of excellence and effort. As CEO, Marissa Burger is a visionary leader and accomplished professional. She has dedicated her career to transforming the landscape of organizational development through multi-media production, project implementation, nonprofit operations, fundraising and execution of cloud-based solutions. With an innate passion for fostering growth, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise in developing impactful projects, optimizing operations, and securing essential funding. Marissa’s journey is marked by her achievements and commitment to creating positive change within organizations and communities.
Experience
Marissa’s illustrious career commenced in the dynamic field of journalism, where she honed her skills as a News Producer at KSBY-TV (NBC), San Luis Obispo, CA and KCOY-TV (CBS) in Santa Maria, California. Her dedication to accuracy and impactful storytelling laid the foundation for her future endeavors.
In 2007, Marissa embarked on a path that would define her impact in the non-profit sector. She joined a nationwide for-profit grant writing firm leading grant writing service sales, expanding client outreach, and significantly increasing sales revenue beyond the $2 million mark. This collaboration allowed her to also work in community development, as she served as a Program Coordinator, designing and coordinating high-quality projects in alignment with federally funded programs.
Later as Quality Control Manager and Chief Operations Officer, her role involved reviewing thousands of federal grant proposals, managing executive-level activities, streamlining processes through Customer Success/Relations Platform Software solutions, and designing comprehensive processes and policies to ensure the development of high-quality grant proposals and sound business practices.
Marissa has an impressive track record of fundraising, spanning 13 years. Her efforts have resulted in over 350 grant awards, leading to a staggering $169,000,000 million for nonprofit organizations she has worked with. Marissa’s dedication is further highlighted by her role as a Grant Proposal Reviewer for public agency clients such as the Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Her expertise in strategy development has contributed to the growth of various nonprofit, governmental, and tribal organizations nationwide.
Education
Marissa’s journey towards excellence began with her education at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism with a Concentration in Broadcast Journalism and Biological Sciences. During her academic years, Marissa showcased her leadership skills and received the esteemed “Journalism Department Chair Award for Leadership.” She continued her academic pursuits at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, where she achieved a Master of Arts in Communication Studies and earned the distinction of “Outstanding Graduate” in the fall of 2020.
Achievements
Marissa’s impact extends beyond her professional roles. She has consistently presented at conferences and events, sharing her insights and knowledge to empower others. Her presentations at renowned conferences, such as the Grant Professional Association Conference, have inspired fellow professionals and aspiring leaders to excel in the field of grant writing and non-profit management. Marissa’s dedication to community development is reflected in her design of communication plans, qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods, and sustainable grant-funded programming. Marissa’s efforts have also led to inductions into National Hall of Fames.
Legacy
Exceptional Ventures’ legacy is one of innovation, leadership, and community impact. Marissa Burger’s tireless efforts in revolutionizing optimizing operations, funding strategy, and advocating for meaningful change have left an indelible mark on both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. As a visionary leader and change-maker, Marissa continues to inspire professionals and organizations to strive for excellence, elevate their impact, and create a better future for all.
Contact
Location
Bluff Dale, TX