Valerie Harris
Senior Director, Stewardship Communications, University of Pennsylvania
Valerie Harris is currently Senior Director, Stewardship Communications at the University of Pennsylvania. She started as a Director at Penn in 2011, leading a team of 4 writers serving the donor communications needs of the Office of the President. Her team has since expanded to a staff of 7 who are counted upon to acknowledge major gifts and develop other fundraising communications on behalf of the President, Senior VP, Development, and other members of the University’s leadership. In 2019, her Stewardship Communications team received Penn’s Models of Excellence award.
Graduating with a B.A. in English from historic Cheyney State College, Valerie studied theater at American University in Washington, DC, worked in NYC, and upon returning to her native Philadelphia, received an M.S. in Management from Drexel University. Her experience in nonprofit development communications and management is extensive. She has served at small, mid-size and large organizations, spanning the arts, community services and education, including the Philadelphia High School Academies, the Paul Robeson House, Scribe Video Center, and Communities in Schools of Philadelphia. Before joining Penn, Valerie founded and managed two nonprofit entities—Black Parenting Today magazine and Teen Writers Academy—securing funding for both from individuals and local and national foundations.
Valerie recently launched VharrisProjects.com, where she shares her knowledge of development communications, team building and nonprofit management through articles, webinars, and online learning. In addition to AADO, Valerie is a member of WOC in Fundraising, and the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP).
How did you get interested in the fundraising profession?
Prior to entering the profession, I was a playwright in NYC, so I was used to writing proposals and securing grants to support my own work as an independent artist. When I returned to Philadelphia (my hometown) I got a job as a public relations manager at an agency called the Private Industry Council. When the COO of that agency left to become President of a nonprofit educational organization, I asked if she could use my services. She said she needed someone to help her raise money, as that would be her primary job as President. She was very polished, very sophisticated, and more than willing to be the external face of the organization, but she needed someone to prepare the fundraising communications— solicitation letters, proposals, grant reports and newsletters. I said I could do it. That was 30 years ago. I have been in development ever since.
What is something you wish you knew early on in your fundraising career?
I would have worked harder, earlier on, to become comfortable at one-to-one networking, and verbally articulating the needs and strengths of the organization. Over the years I’ve learned that fundraising with individuals can be much more lucrative than submitting foundation proposals, although that’s important, as well. I think that some smaller organizations who do very important work are overly reliant upon foundation funding. But it often takes mentoring to get comfortable asking people for money.
What is the one quality every fundraiser should have?
A successful fundraiser must have a passion for their cause and the confidence to articulate that passion to others. I would say be contagiously—but graciously—passionate!
What inspires you about the fundraising profession?
There are numerous groups today—like AADO, WOC in Fundraising, and others--to help prepare people of diverse backgrounds to enter the profession and do well. Mentoring and experience sharing is so important. I am also inspired by the growing number of people of color who are able and willing to make charitable contributions to a range of organizations that serve our communities and society at large. I think we need to educate those new to the profession about making the ask and the importance of stewarding donors, and educate our community about the impact of giving. There are growing opportunities to do all three.
How do you want to be remembered as a professional?
The woman who gave me my first job in development made a huge impact on me, as a communications professional and a staff manager. She helped me become better at what I was doing because she gave of her time and she gave me opportunities to grow—and she didn’t denigrate me for mistakes that I made in the process. During my 10 years at the University of Pennsylvania I’ve built a diverse staff that has been recognized for their excellence in stewardship communications, and I’ve worked hard to build on the strengths of each individual on my team. So, I hope I will be remembered as one who was committed to excellence in my own work, and to the professional development of those who worked beside me.