Tracy Connelly, vice president of development at Guadalupe Center, was honored as “Fundraising Executive of the Year” by the Lee-Collier chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
Connelly joined Guadalupe Center two years ago to lead the nonprofit organization’s philanthropic and fundraising initiatives. Since his arrival, Guadalupe Center has experienced a 50 percent increase in donations, critically important as three-fourths of the organization’s budget derives from philanthropic support and grants.
In 2018, Connelly and his development team coordinated the “Welcome Aboard” Signature Event, Guadalupe Charity Golf Classic and Tutor Corps Celebration Dinner, which raised a combined $1.4 million.
Under Connelly’s leadership, Guadalupe Center established the Rosemary and Walter Blankley Scholarship Endowment through the Community Foundation of Collier County, and more than 70 donors and organizations contributed $2 million to provide college scholarships in perpetuity to Tutor Corps graduates. Longtime supporters Bunny and Charles Salisbury established the E.G. Salisbury Tutor Corps Summer Academy, which sends Immokalee High School students on college exploration trips.
“In just a short period of time, Tracy’s impact at Guadalupe Center has been phenomenal,” said Dawn Montecalvo, president of Guadalupe Center. “Tracy is mission-focused and raises money with one purpose in mind, and that’s to fund educational programs for the children of Immokalee that ultimately will help break the cycle of poverty within the community.”
About Guadalupe Center
Guadalupe Center is a purpose-driven, nonprofit organization with proven results in creating endless possibilities for the students of Immokalee through education and fostering personal and academic success that leads to economic independence. With a focus on breaking the cycle of poverty through education, Guadalupe Center is proud of the children’s accomplishments: 94 percent meet or exceed kindergarten readiness measures, 100 percent of Tutor Corps high school seniors graduate high school and are accepted into college, and more than 90 percent graduate with a post-secondary degree.
