Jessica Montoya
Development Manager
Playworks
Denver, CO USA
“If you want to make it something, it will be something. If you want to make it more, it will be more.”
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By Roadtrip NationJessica Montoya
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Growing up, I was heavily influenced by my parents who were really involved in the community.
I got involved in clubs in high school—I joined Greenpeace, through which I started to better understand environmental practices, and Darfur clubs, which introduced me to larger world issues.
I also worked at a kids’ clothing shop and decided that I wanted to work with children.
I attended the University of Colorado Boulder and studied political science.
Throughout college, I took on a few internships geared toward the nonprofit public sector.
After college, I gained some experience and then discovered Playworks—I felt passionate about their mission to improve the health and well-being of children through safe and meaningful play.
I knew I could leverage my skill set for a fundraising role and was hired as a development associate for Playworks.
I now work as a development manager for Playworks—I’m involved with all aspects of fundraising with a focus on individual cultivation, event management, foundation support, and corporate engagement.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Development Manager
I’m involved with all aspects of fundraising for an organization aiming to improve the well-being of kids through play.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Business
Working with Others
Day to Day
I work everyday to fundraise to support our mission in local elementary schools. A typical day includes emails, strategic and project planning meetings, all aspects of the donor cycle, and acknowledging funders with a special note. I share stories about the kids we impact by means of our website, social media channels, emails, and newsletters. I also write grants and plan for our major events, whether it be securing a corporate sponsorship, mapping out table seating, or creating the program.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
If you want to get into philanthropy, the first step is to find a cause you're passionate about. It's so important to pursue something that is meaningful to you. It doesn't necessarily mean something you're an expert in, but something that you want to learn. Then get involved. Once you find a cause or organization, there are many ways to get involved. Start by liking and sharing an organization's social media posts. That then leads to volunteering, which eventually leads to job opportunities.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
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