Riley Faulk Jimenez graduated from Kansas State University in 2021 with a B.S. in Hospitality Management with minors in Business and Leadership Studies with a Non Profit Certificate. In 2022 she earned a M.S. in Hospitality Administration from Kansas State University.
During her undergraduate studies she was involved with the Staley School of Leadership Studies as the Project Manager for the Public Relations Team. Spirit of Leadership and the Mandela Washington Fellowship were two of her most rewarding and memorable. As a graduating senior she was recognized with the Pat. J Bosco Outstanding Leadership Studies student award celebrating her service and leadership.
Riley was the Corporate Foundation Relations Intern through CASE with the Kansas State University Foundation. She spent the summer in Manhattan connecting with corporate companies, creating pipeline programs for internship opportunities for K-State students.
Prior to graduating with her M.S.,Riley took her first role with Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City as the Lead Fundraising, Sales, and Event Intern where she assisted in the planning, executing, and fundraising efforts of Summer Fun, an outdoor event on the Liberty Memorial Lawn where they raised $725,000. After graduation Riley accepted the position of Special Events Assistant for Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City.
Riley is currently a Special Events Manager, overseeing the organization and execution of Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake as well as third party giving. The 2024 Bowl for Kids’ Sake raised nearly $800,000 and was recognized by The Kansas City Independent as the number four out of top five multi-day events in Kansas City.
Riley grew up in a military family and felt inspired by community and servant leadership. She has always felt passionate about the impact the nonprofit sector makes within a
community or with a specific population. She is honored to have had such wonderful mentors who have been champions throughout her collegiate and professional career. She would like to thank Chance Lee and Paige Peterson specifically.
December Submission:
In my current role as a Special Events Manager, I oversee the organization and execution of Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake as well as third party giving. Ultimately ensuring our fundraising goals are met or exceeded.
Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City’s second largest annual fundraiser. This year Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake exceeded the original fundraising goal of $750,000 by $30,000, raising $780,000 in total.
For third party events I recruit and manage third party partners. These partners are local community partners, corporate and national partners. Third party giving exceeded the fundraising goal set in January 2023 by over 40%. Third party partnerships on average raise $160,000. Between my two primary responsibilities I raise close to one million dollars annually.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, we work to clear the path to a child's biggest possible future by matching them with a caring, adult mentor in a one-to-one friendship. When matched with a Big, Littles are empowered to ignite their potential as they grow in their self-esteem, earn better grades and develop a life-long friendship with their Big.
These fundraising events allow the agency to continue to support the 1100 active matches in Kansas City as well as the 250+ waiting Littles to be matched. It is because of incredible community partners who participate that more children in Kansas City can benefit from this program and gain a mentor for life!