Matthew L. Southworth
West Hartford,CT
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Associate Director of Development
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Cambridge, MA (remote)
02.2022 - Current
- Managed a robust portfolio of Leadership, Major, and Planned Giving donors, driving giving strategy through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, taking 15-18 trips per year
- Worked with select major donors, closing several major gifts ranging between $100k-$1 million, totaling millions in gifts and commitments
- Created and executed Annual, Leadership, and Planned giving strategies, which included annual appeal campaigns
- Mentored and supervised multiple staff, including the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, setting priorities and enhancing program impact; managed related budgets in partnership with leadership
- Engaged alumni and prospects through in-person and virtual programming, maintained accurate donor records, and exceeded fundraising goals through strategic prospect management
- Prior role: Regional Director of Major Gifts (February 2022-December 2023)
Associate Director of Leadership Giving
Trinity College
Hartford, CT
08.2018 - 02.2022
- Built and maintained a portfolio of 150+ alumni and parent donors in CA, AZ, NM, OH, NY and New England
- Worked to close several six and seven figure gifts to the Comprehensive Campaign
- Co-led the Financial Aid portion of the Comprehensive Campaign
- Rebuilt relationships with numerous alumni who had complex histories
Director of Leadership Giving
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH (remote)
03.2016 - 07.2018
- Managed all donor and alumni relations in New England and the Mid-Atlantic
- Built a portfolio from 25 up to 120+ active alumni in just over two years
- Implemented a new prospect tracking system
- Successfully completed a $21.2 million Comprehensive Campaign; secured the six figure gift that completed the campaign on time
- Coordinated and successfully solicited major gifts with the college president
Director of Resource Development for Corporations
American Red Cross
Farmington, CT
04.2015 - 03.2016
- Built corporate partnerships in CT and RI
- Built a portfolio of over 175 companies
- Recruited several new companies to support the American Red Cross through new, creative engagement strategies
Major Gifts Officer
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Washington, DC
01.2014 - 03.2015
- Maintained an active portfolio of 125 donors, raised multiple five and six-figure gifts in a Capital Campaign setting
- Built and maintained strong personal relationships with individual donors
- Raised over $1,000,000 in gifts and pledges in support of the Capital Campaign and Annual Fund
Lobbyist on Foreign Policy
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Washington, DC
08.2009 - 12.2013
- Lead lobbyist on Afghanistan/Pakistan, counterterrorism and drones
- Managed interns and volunteers for both organizing constituents and lobbying
- 400+ speaking engagements to audiences ranging from dozens to thousands on foreign policy and encouraging civic engagement
Education
B.A. - Political & Social Studies, History, Psychology
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH05-2009
Timeline
Senior Associate Director of Development
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
02.2022 - Current
Associate Director of Leadership Giving
Trinity College
08.2018 - 02.2022
Director of Leadership Giving
Wilmington College
03.2016 - 07.2018
Director of Resource Development for Corporations
American Red Cross
04.2015 - 03.2016
Major Gifts Officer
Friends Committee on National Legislation
01.2014 - 03.2015
Lobbyist on Foreign Policy
Friends Committee on National Legislation
08.2009 - 12.2013
B.A. - Political & Social Studies, History, Psychology
Wilmington College
Military Experience
United States Army, Intelligence Analyst (96-B) (August 2002 - August 2004)
- Deployment to Tall Afar/Mosul, Iraq
- Received Honorable Discharge in August 2004
Leadership Experience
Veterans for Peace, Vice President of the Board of Directors (2011-2014, 2022-2026)
- Worked with fellow pro-peace veterans for pragmatic approaches to policy issues.
- Adviser to the Development Committee.
Friends Association on Higher Education (FAHE), Advisor to Advancement Committee (2018-2022)
- Advised on matters of fundraising and marketing.
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), General Committee (2016-Present)
- Serve as at-large member.
- Attend annual gathering in Washington, DC; serve on the Capital Campaign Committee.
West Hartford Public School Mentor Program, Mentor (2016-Present)
- Work to build relationship with at-risk youth in the West Hartford Public Schools.
- Volunteer time for weekly meetings with the same student since 2016.
Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society, Board of Trustees (2016-2019)
- Served as Vice Chair and Development Committee Chair (2017-18, 2016-2019).
Quaker House, Board of Directors (2012-2015)
- This Quaker organization provides counseling for active-duty military members at risk of suicide.
Professional Development
- Client Conference PlusDelta Partners (2026)
- Frontline Fundraising Refresher, PlusDelta Partners (2022)
- All District Conference, CASE (2021-2025)
- Equity Certificate Program, Smith College (2021)
- Intergroup Dialoge Training, Connecticut College (2020, 2021)
- Social Skills for a Diverse Campus, DiversityEdu (2020)
- Major Gift Conference, MaGiC (2019, 2020, 2021)
- The Discipline of Frontline Fundraising, PlusDelta Partners (2019)
- Quest, Leadership Greater Hartford (2016)
- Developing Major Gifts, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (2015)
- The Art of Asking, Institute for Charitable Giving and Jerold Panas (2014)