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Staff Spotlight: Jacquelyn Blake, Senior Vice President of Holistic Philanthropy

Head shot of Jacquelyn Blake

Head shot of Jacquelyn BlakeThe Child Center of NY is excited to announce a new position at our organization: Senior Vice President of Holistic Philanthropy!

This newly created position will be held by Jacquelyn Blake, CFRE, who has been a vital leader on our development team for more than two years, bringing innovative ideas and a deep commitment to our mission.

We sat down with Jacquelyn to discuss her vision for the future of fundraising at The Child Center. Her insights promise to elevate our approach and strengthen our impact on the communities we serve. Join us in celebrating Jacquelyn’s achievements and her new role!

The Child Center of NY: Can you share a little about your journey at The Child Center and the key experiences that led to your promotion?

Jacquelyn Blake, CFRE: The simplest answer I can provide is that the door was opened for me. I’ve experienced a lot of tears and heartache from trying to force doors open that I wasn’t meant to go through. Looking back at my journey here, I can now see that I was never meant to be in certain spaces in those capacities. But at The Child Center, everything just… opened up. Leadership trusted my expertise and allowed me to dive into all the geeky fundraising things I’ve always wanted to do. I had freedom. I had trust. I had opportunity.

So, I walked through the door that was opened to me—and here I am.

To those who may feel discouraged or overwhelmed by the weight of what’s before you, I want to remind you to be bold and walk through the door that’s opened for you. Sometimes, we push ourselves to fit into spaces we’re not meant for, but when we align with our purpose and stay true to our values, the right path opens up. The Child Center gave me that path, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to be part of a team working toward systemic change.

As this is the first role of its kind at our agency, what is your vision for our fundraising strategy moving forward?

I want to discover our donors’ hero stories. What I mean by that is I want to understand the vast world of our donor reach and how they want to show up for those we serve. Every donor has a story to tell, and I want to hear them all. Fundraising can sometimes be biased—focusing only on the donors who give the most. But what I’ve learned from experience is that wealth is often quiet. It’s not boastful, flashy, or prideful.

The little old lady who gives five dollars to support our mission may have given her last because she cares that much. In my eyes, she’s the wealthiest person I could meet, not because of her financial status but because of her wealth of love, compassion, and commitment to our community. That’s what I want our fundraising strategy to reflect—an environment where all donors are valued equally, where every contribution is celebrated, and where our mission is shared by all who join us in our efforts.

This vision of holistic philanthropy is about creating a space where every donor, regardless of their gift size, feels connected to the bigger picture of systemic change we’re working toward. It’s about creating meaningful, lasting relationships and ensuring we give our best to everyone who believes in our mission.

Why do you believe this fundraising role is crucial for the agency, and what impact do you hope to make in this position?

This past year, I seriously considered leaving the fundraising profession for good. But what I realized wasn’t that I wanted to leave fundraising entirely—it was that I wanted to leave transactional fundraising behind. I’ve been in situations where I was told to “just get the money” or “secure the gift, no matter what.” It goes back to not forcing yourself through doors that aren’t meant for you. I think I would have lost myself if I had stayed in roles where my values weren’t aligned with the mission.

I’m proud to say I’ve shed those experiences and am now bringing a holistic philanthropy approach to everything we do here at The Child Center. Holistic philanthropy is about so much more than just securing donations; it’s about building a community of changemakers who share our vision and values. I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by a team that believes in this approach, too.

My goal is to find “our people”—those who will stand with us through thick and thin. These individuals and partners will answer our calls to action not out of obligation, but because they see the need and act out of love and compassion. If we can build these kinds of authentic, lasting relationships, I know The Child Center will be positioned for scalable success. It’s about aligning our mission with people who want to be part of something much bigger—people who are committed to systemic, long-term change.

How do you envision collaborating with your colleagues across the agency to enhance fundraising efforts?

I want holistic philanthropy to be a movement within The Child Center. Philanthropy isn’t just about giving money—it’s about giving time, attention, and energy to the people and causes around us. As we all work toward this incredible mission, I want to invest my time with each and every one of you. I want to hear your stories, understand your department’s needs, and ensure everyone feels empowered to dream bigger and be bolder in their work.

If you have a dream for what’s possible at The Child Center, I want to hear about it. We all need the space and platform to voice our ideas and collaborate to make them a reality. I truly believe that our supporters share in these dreams—they’re invested in more than just our programs; they’re invested in our vision for the future.

Together, we can create something far more powerful by tapping into our colleagues’ and supporters’ passions. I would love to explore that with you and work collectively to build a stronger, more connected community. When we dream together, we have the potential to make a lasting, transformative impact on those we serve.


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