Join AFP-GPC as we hear from local grantors on what is resonating with their strategic goals, what trends they are seeing and how they are adjusting to meet the changing demands of our communities. This event provides the opportunity to hear directly from community and private foundations to learn how they view their role as grant makers and determine strategic partnerships with organizations. Together we can discuss organizational priorities, engaging in a digital world and understanding grantors viewpoints. Following the panel discussion, each panelist will be available for breakout sessions to allow questions from attendees.

This year’s panelists include Nicole Tell from BLBB Charitable, Monika Collins from Foundation for Delaware County, and Laura Pitt from West Pharmaceutical Services. The event will be emceed by Monique Curry-Mims of Civic Capital. 

Panelists:

Monika Collins, The Foundation for Delaware County

Monika Collins joined The Foundation for Delaware County in January of 2022. As the Vice President for Advancement and Philanthropic Services, Monika serves on the leadership team and oversees the philanthropic and communications activities that build support for programs and institutions that better the lives of Delaware County’s residents.

Monika has been a fundraising professional for 15 years. She served as a consultant for not-for-profits, guiding strategic planning, campaign and board development, public relations, and marketing. She was the Senior Director of External Relations at the Sciencenter in Ithaca, New York, where she directed organizational activities, including foundation, government, corporate relations, annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, communications, marketing, and earned income (sales). Prior to that, Monika was the Director of Development for the Illinois Humanities Council. Monika serves on the Advisory Council for Humanities West. She has served on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Finger Lakes Chapter, the Community Arts Partnership, and the University of Chicago, MAPSS Alumni Board. She has served on the Chicago Women in Philanthropy Membership Committee, the Chicago Foundation for Women, the Women of Color Leadership Council, as a University of Chicago UCPIP Program Mentor, and as Chair of the Humanities Member-led Forum at the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco. Monika is a Development Leadership Consortium Annual Fellow and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy. Monika holds an undergraduate degree in history from the University of New Mexico and an MA, with a concentration in medieval history, from the University of Chicago. Monika lives in Media with her husband and two sons.

Nicole Tell, BLBB Charitable 

Nicole joined BLBB Charitable in May 2020, bringing with her more than eleven years of leadership in nonprofit fundraising and administration. Nicole works with the BLBB Charitable Board of Directors to develop and implement their strategic vision for the foundation and facilitate the foundation’s ability to make meaningful and effectual grants in the community. Nicole also supports BLBB Advisors in its focus on community service and charitable giving.

Prior to joining BLBB Charitable, Nicole was the COO & SVP of Development at Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP), a K-8th grade scholarship organization serving under-resourced children and families. Prior to CSFP, Nicole was the Director of Donor Relations and Communications at Project HOME, a nationally recognized non-profit organization that seeks to end homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia.

An attorney with a background in commercial litigation, Nicole worked for almost ten years at top-tier law firms in both New York City and Philadelphia, including Pepper Hamilton LLP. Nicole serves as a Judge of Elections in Lower Merion, Montgomery County and currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Committee of Seventy and the Friends of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. She earned a B.A. from Vassar College and graduated magna cum laude from Fordham University School of Law.

Outside of the office, Nicole enjoys cooking, reading (she is in two book clubs), and is a volunteer history tour guide at West Laurel Hill Cemetery. She lives in Lower Merion with her husband and son.

Laura Pitt, West Pharmaceutical Services

Laura Pitt is the Manager of Community Affairs at West Pharmaceutical Services, a leading provider of innovative, high-quality injectable solutions and services. As a trusted partner to established and emerging drug developers, West helps ensure the safe, effective containment and delivery of lifesaving, and life-enhancing medicines for patients. With 10,000 team members across 50 sites worldwide, West helps support our customers by delivering approximately 48 billion components and devices each year. In her role, Pitt oversee all aspects of the philanthropic programs at West.  

Working with larger strategic programming, Pitt builds giving programs that produce significant improvement in the key focus areas of Access to Healthcare, Access to Education and ESG. Alongside these larger programs, there is a local grants program which supports local charities in the communities where West employees live and work.

Through her 20+ years at West, Pitt has developed key programs for employees at West including the Employee Emergency Fund which provides hardship grants and West’s flagship employee-led fundraising program, West without Borders. Pitt also serves as the Program Manager for the Herman O West Foundation which is employee-focused providing employee children with college scholarships. The Foundation programs also include matching funds for individual and campaign donations and a global volunteerism program Dollars for Doers.

A dual American Canadian citizen, Pitt has a Bachelors degree in Project Management as well as Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. She is currently completing a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation program. In her free time, she volunteers with the United States Pony Club, local township committees and loves to golf.

Moderator:

Monique Curry-Mims, MBA, MSED, Civic Capital Consulting

As Principal of Civic Capital Consulting, Monique oversees all business development and client implementation. She​ has over 15 years of development and leadership experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit. sectors providing development, marketing, and strategic planning professional with experience in graphic design, branding and public relations. As a Penn State MBA graduate who holds a BS in Digital Design from Philadelphia University and a MSEd from Walden University, Monique has an ​innovative approach to developing education and nonprofit organizations. 

Full participation in Funders Forum is applicable for 2 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

Online registration will close on Monday, March 4 at noon. On-site registration will be available.