As we talked with Leah Y. Lamb in mid-March, the Chief Development Officer’s insight into fundraising, nonprofit management, communications, & donor relations was hard to hide. In her leadership position at the See Forever Foundation & Maya Angelou Schools (Charter) in Washington, D.C. since 2013, Lamb spoke eloquently on several non-profit issues.
- Our 4th blog Series, which begins today with this post, will strive to capture several of the strategies, views, and thoughts shared by Lamb. This post will help you understand the non-profit journey of this seasoned fundraising professional.
The roots of Lamb’s Non-profit career
During her high school years, she states “my mother gave me [3 choices] in the Summer time. She said you’ll either work, you’ll go to school (do something educational), or you will volunteer. Those are your three choices. [Half of the time] I chose to be a volunteer. That’s really what got me started in the non-profit sector”.
- She was recruited from on campus at Hampton University by the United Way. Leah Lamb has been working for non-profit organizations continuously since she graduated from college – for nearly 30 years.
Her current position
Currently Lamb is the Chief Development & Communications Officer for the See Forever Foundation & Maya Angelou Schools. In this leadership position she is responsible for all fundraising, special events, volunteer programs, marketing, and communications for the organization. In this role Lamb works directly with the Board of Directors and heads up the crisis communications efforts. In her current position she developed a student Maya Ambassador Corp; these students are trained to represent the school, internally and externally.
- Among the 60 charter schools in D.C., Lamb’s organization was recognized -in a recent Washington Post article- as one of the area’s most effective in fundraising. A modest woman, she notes that true fundraising is a ‘team sport’.
Fundraising: It’s a people thing
During our conversation with Lamb, she stated: “In general, people give to people, not necessarily to organizations or causes.”
- Seeing the ‘good work’ done by someone, volunteering, or interacting with an organization’s Board member is what typically, she observed, sparks giving. Fundraising is generally people driven.
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Better outcomes through Best Practices (Non-profit leaders)
Biography of Leah Y. Lamb
Leah Lamb currently serves as the Chief Development Officer for the See Forever Foundation and the Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools where she provides strategic direction and leadership for all fundraising, special events, marketing, and communications functions. She has 30 years of nonprofit management, fundraising, resource development, and communications experience.
She previously served as Chief Development Officer at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington where she led the organization through its 125th anniversary celebration. She has also worked as a Non-Profit Consultant, Senior Vice President of Resource Development for the United Way of New York City, and Director for Advancement for the New Jersey Historical Society.
Leah currently serves on the Local Advisory Board of Clear Channel Communications and as a member of the board of the EnVest Fund. She is a Founding Member and former board Secretary for the VGAH Scholarship Fund, Founding Member & former Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the St. Matthew Community Development Corporation, and a member of the Board of Director for the Delta Torch Fund.
Leah has been mentoring young women in various capacities for over 15 years, and she is an active member of the Prince Georges County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.. Leah is a Hampton University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications.
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