StandUp for Kids Appoints New National Development Director

Aug 28, 2019

Colleen O’Neill joins StandUp for Kids with more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, management and high-level development, community building and long-term partnership cultivation. Colleen also a has a strong personal tie to the mission, from childhood through working with high-risk youth.

CHICAGO, IL – August 9, 2019 – StandUp for Kids is pleased to announce the hiring of Colleen O’Neill as National Development Director.

Based in Chicago, Colleen brings more than twenty years of high-level fundraising, business development, and strategic planning experience, with proven growth of both grassroots and national organizations. With her strong background in nonprofit management, she is a skilled major gifts officer and program cultivation manager that has built and implemented innovative programs and campaigns for organizations across the country from the ground up, utilizing a unique ability to think beyond traditional practices to stay ahead as the nonprofit climate changes.

Prior to joining StandUp for Kids, Colleen served as a nonprofit executive consultant for fifteen years, with organizations ranging from health and wellness to education to entertainment.  Colleen’s expertise lies in improving private and corporate income growth, building successful strategic plans, and implementing new initiatives to foster long-term organizational success.  This also includes an expertise in marketing, PR and external relations.

In her new position, Colleen will be responsible for streamlining and improving processes, cultivating donor relationships, managing income streams and developing local and national partnerships, amongst other things. She will drive StandUp for Kids into the future with a focus on serving every youth in need of support.

Robert Peters, co-chair of the national board, said, “We are thrilled to have Colleen join us on the eve of our thirtieth year being an organized movement.  The things she and our donors nationwide can pull off together may truly help us end the cycle of youth homelessness before we turn forty.” 


About StandUp for Kids:

StandUp for Kids is a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization, working directly with thousands of homeless youth across the country. The organization was founded in 1990 by a group of volunteers in San Diego, CA. Starting from a program in one city, Stand Up for Kids has grown to sustain locations in 18 cities across eleven states and the District of Columbia. Nearly an all-volunteer organization that prioritizes the needs of the youth they serve, it empowers homeless and at-risk youth to achieve life-long personal growth, and to develop a sincere belief in themselves through open, straightforward counseling, mentoring and life-skills training. 

The mission of StandUp for Kids is to end the cycle of youth homelessness, striving to build communities where all youth know care, feel loved and have a support system to help them move quickly from surviving to thriving.

StandUp for Kids is proud to align with, endorse, and/or serve in coalition with a number of youth-serving and advocacy organizations. Its national office is located in Decatur, Georgia.

 

One life at a time.