Melissa Lindler
A native of Irmo, South Carolina, Melissa L. Lindler currently serves as the Director of District Planning & Outreach for Congressman James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, Sixth Congressional District. In her current role, Ms. Lindler is responsible for district planning, scheduling, special events coordination, and various aspects of constituency services.
Prior to joining the staff of Congressman Clyburn, Ms. Lindler was the assistant vice president/director of development for the Division of Institutional Advancement at South Carolina State University. While with the University, she was responsible for securing major private contributions and donations from corporations, foundations, and individuals. She successful revitalized the annual giving program and established an employee giving program.
In 2001, Ms. Lindler's career in the public arena was launched at the South Carolina Department of Education in 2001 where she started as a training and technical advisor and later as an education associate in the Division of District and Community Services at the South Carolina Department of Education. Her duties included; grant administration and research, providing direct training and technical assistance to local school districts in violence and substance abuse prevention, truancy, and other related areas. She was also instrumental in the expansion and implementation of the Department's statewide truancy plan, assisting in securing federal funding totaling over $4 million to implement the initiative.
Her career also includes service in the non-profit sector. She served as program director for the South Carolina Center for Family Policy, statewide program associate for United Way of South Carolina, and interim executive director for the Williamsburg Enterprise Commission, Inc.
Ms. Lindler received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina.
Throughout her career, she has successful secured and assisted in the administration of over $6 million in public and private. She received her grants specialist certification from the National Grant Writers Association and she has a certificate in the Principals and Techniques of Fundraising from the University of Indiana, Center of Philanthropy. Ms. Lindler has served as a grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Education, S.C. Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, and S.C. Office of First Steps to School Readiness.
She presently serves on the board of the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C., and has enjoyed previous service on the boards of the Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc., and the Total Care for the Homeless Coalition.