Allentown, Pa., August 1, 2023—Lehigh Valley Community Foundation welcomes Maureen Connolley Wendling as the part-time Director of Donor Initiatives, enhancing the Foundation’s overall fund development and fundraising efforts with a specific focus on family legacy and philanthropy.
In her new role, Maureen’s primary responsibilities include donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation. She will build relationships with professional advisors and develop strategies for groups of donors, such as planned giving donors. Maureen collaborates closely with the Director of Donor Services and the Chief Executive Officer to offer a range of services to donors and fundholders.
Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President, and CEO of the Community Foundation, expressed her excitement about Maureen’s arrival, stating, “Maureen brings extensive fundraising experience to the Community Foundation, having worked for Lehigh University, the Allentown Art Museum, and several other nonprofits in a consulting capacity. She most recently led the Shanthi Project, one of LVCF’s grantees, which makes her familiar with LVCF’s community work and the impact we expect to accomplish.”
With a background in higher education, the arts, and social services, Maureen is an experienced leader in the Lehigh Valley’s nonprofit sector. She brings strategic insight and a hands-on approach to each donor/client relationship. Drawing on her knowledge of best practices, she has helped numerous regional organizations develop and implement key strategies to advance their missions.
As a Lehigh Valley native, Maureen believes in giving back to the community where she grew up. Over the years, she has served on the Communications Committee of Resilient Lehigh Valley, the Northampton County Suicide Task Force, and the Board of Associates of Muhlenberg College.
Additionally, Maureen is a mindfulness meditation teacher, having completed her teaching training at the Mindfulness Institute at Thomas Jefferson University and the Center for Mindfulness at Lehigh Valley Health Network. She graduated from DeSales University with a B.S. in Marketing and Sales.
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