International Day of Charity:
And I Need to Fundraise Too?
Description
This panel discussion explores how to create and nourish successful fundraising efforts in these current times. Panelists represent leadership from Enlace and Community Against Violence.
Objectives
Learn tips the panelists use to engage in fundraising.
Learn ways to engage board members in fundraising efforts.
Have a candid discussion with panelists and participants about fundraising successes and challenges during these times.
Panelists
Sara Yvonne “Bonnie” Escobar, Enlace Comunitario Executive Director
Bonnie currently serves as Executive Director for Enlace Comunitario, where she has been since late 2020. Previously, Bonnie lived in El Paso, Texas where she served as Chief Development Office at El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, where she served for 2 years. However, Bonnie began her long commitment and passion for family violence advocacy at the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, where she served as Director for Strategic Development for 13 years. She was formerly the Managing Partner for MJD & Associates providing management and organizational consulting services to private corporations, foundations, non-profit organizations and community leaders in the border region. Bonnie has also served as a Vice President at the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and formerly as leadership director for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), a national non-profit organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of U.S. Latinos. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Public Administration. Bonnie is a committed community activist who strives to put her ideas into action, working to advance women, Latinos, and fellow New Mexicans. An active community leader, she sat on the board of the El Paso Women’s Fund, Paso del Norte YWCA, the El Paso Symphony and El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is eager to get involved in New Mexico social justice issues once the pandemic has subsided. Bonnie enjoys spending time with her family. She is an avid knitter, fan of jazz, rock and art, especially Frida Kahlo. She follows baseball, Formula 1 and tennis and loves to travel.
Matt Mirarchi
As the Director of Advancement, Matt is charged with overseeing Enlace Comunitario’s development (fundraising), communications, operations and information technology, and policy work—as well as supervising department-specific staff. Matt is principally responsible for developing and implementing strategies to raise vital funds for the organization, which is primarily supported through grants and contracts. Matt has eight years of experience that spans academic, corporate, and federal sectors and 12 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising/development. Within the nonprofit sector, Matt has worked in five states and eight different programmatic areas, including LGBTQI+ advocacy; the visual and performing arts; animal welfare; employment and education access for people with developmental disabilities; social and fiscal state policy; environmental justice; socioeconomic asset building; and domestic violence services. Matt holds a BA and an MA in Anthropology, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice from Austin Community College.
Joella Montoya
My name is Joella Ann Montoya, and I was born and raised in the small community of Taos, New Mexio. I come from a large family and have deep roots and connections here. I graduated from high school in 1999 and hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Mexico. I am currently serving as one of 22 LEAP (Leadership, Education and Advancement for Professionals – a project of ValorUS) Fellows for 2023. I am the proud mother of two daughters who are 23 and 18.After graduating from high school I left Taos and returned in 1995. Since I moved back Ihave held several jobs in the non-profit sector in order to give back to the community that raised me. In 2022 I was approached and offered the opportunity to be part of the transition plan for the Community Against Violence in Taos. I couldn’t be prouder and more humbled to be moving into the role of Executive Director. Everyday we are making a difference and changing the narrative of how people talk about domestic violence in a small community. The stigma is being removed by how weas an agency serve our community and how each of us individually normalize the conversation. I know that my experience is bringing about change daily whether on a small scale or a larger scale and with that knowledge I know that I have found my spaceand the way I will make a difference in my community, to my family and neighbors and to the greater world around me.