Meet Alison Clare Baldree, CNP, CFRE, Director of Fund Development at Shelterhouse and Chief Creative Officer at The Fundraising Shop! #CNPsinAction
"I am so grateful that my 18-year-old self listened to my advisors when they shared that I could major in Nonprofit Leadership and graduate as a “Certified Nonprofit Professional.” As a student, the Alliance granted me the NextGen scholarship which permitted me to work as a Development Intern at Newhouse, domestic violence shelter. I am now Development Director at Shelterhouse where we serve survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Earning my CNP helped me immensely. After graduation, when I started looking for my first “professional” job in Massachusetts, I had no network. However, that didn’t feel like a real barrier with my CNP and my internship experience. I even remember being asked about my CNP – the organizations were both impressed with the certification and curious about it. Our world, our communities, and people are imperfect. But philanthropy isn’t about perfection. It’s about loving humanity. Philanthropy is healing... and not just for those that the fundraiser or philanthropist are serving, but it’s healing for fundraiser and philanthropist, too. I love working in #philanthropy and think the joy in the work is nearly endless. I am so grateful to the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance for helping to guide me on this path." #nonprofitlife