Alim M. Young

About Alim M. Young

I’m a fundraising leader and philanthropic strategist committed to one core belief: brilliance exists everywhere—but opportunity does not.As a Black, first-generation college graduate from a low-income community in Philadelphia, I’ve seen firsthand how talent and intelligence are often disconnected from access, resources, and networks. That reality shapes both my purpose and my profession.Today, I serve as Director of Individual Giving at Heights Philadelphia, leading strategies that generate more than 25% of the organization’s annual revenue through major gifts, high-net-worth engagement, and planned giving. As both an alumnus of the program and a professional leader, I’ve come full circle, helping create the same pathways of opportunity that changed my own life.I’m especially passionate about building a more inclusive philanthropic landscape, one where fundraisers and philanthropists of color are seen, respected, and meaningfully engaged. My work focuses on culturally competent donor engagement, trust-based philanthropy, and expanding access to giving vehicles that empower multi-generational impact.In 2026, I was selected as an AFP Greater Philadelphia IDEA Fellow (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access), where I collaborate with regional leaders to advance equitable fundraising practices and mentor emerging professionals of color. I’m also a member of the Board of Managers for the Associated Alumni of Central High School, supporting governance and philanthropic sustainability for future generations.Currently pursuing my CFRE and CAP designations, my long-term goal is to serve as an executive leader in major gifts and planned giving—helping organizations embed equity, representation, and belonging into the very fabric of how philanthropy operates.If you’re interested in inclusive fundraising, philanthropic strategy, or building stronger pathways into this field, I’m always open to connecting.

Experience

1. Director of Individual Giving

   Heights Philadelphia

   Sep 2023 — Present · Philadelphia, PA, US

   Lead strategy, planning, and infrastructure development for a $2M+ individual giving portfolio representing approximately 25% of the organization’s contributed revenue, with responsibility for building and scaling the organization’s major gifts and planned giving infrastructure.• Direct the design and buildout of Heights’ major gifts program, leading a comprehensive landscape analysis, donor audit, and multi-year revenue growth strategy aligned with a three-year organizational fundraising plan• Conduct external market research and industry benchmarking to inform best practices across major gifts, planned giving, and Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) participation• Develop and implement individualized engagement and stewardship strategies for board members and the organization’s top donors to deepen relationships and increase lifetime value• Lead operational assessments of staffing, systems, prospect research, and relationship mapping needs to support multi-million-dollar revenue acceleration• Shape business cases and partnership strategies to expand corporate and tax-credit fundraising pipelines and justify future advancement staffing investments• Design portfolio strategy and moves management systems to drive qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and retention of high-capacity donors• Partner with executive leadership and board members to cultivate principal gift opportunities and align philanthropic investment with long-term organizational priorities• Advance inclusive and equitable philanthropy practices, expanding engagement among Black, Latino, first-generation, and underrepresented donor communities• Mentor and support emerging fundraising staff while continuing to meet annual revenue goals and maintain active donor relationships• Serve uniquely as both an alumnus and advancement leader, bridging lived experience with institutional strategy to strengthen authentic donor engagement

Education

• Saint Joseph's University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia

• Central High School, 274

  High School Diploma

  2011 — 2015

• Villanova University

  Principles of Fundraising Certification, Continuing Education Studies