Jen Welborn

About Jen Welborn

As a relationship-driven professional, I am passionate about building strategic partnerships, fostering community engagement, and driving impactful change across higher education, nonprofit, and corporate settings. My expertise spans community relations, strategic partnerships, event strategy, fundraising, stakeholder relations, and volunteer leadership—all focused on creating sustainable, mutually beneficial connections.I thrive in roles that require a balance of external affairs and internal operations, where I can help organizations leverage community engagement and strategic partnerships to achieve their goals. In my current role at Georgia Humanities, and previously at Athens Technical College, I have executed successful fundraising campaigns, built strong relationships with donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders, and communicated the value and impact of our work to diverse community groups. My background in social services and volunteer engagement equips me with a unique understanding of how to connect business operations with community needs, driving real-world outcomes for both organizations and the communities they serve.I excel in business operations roles where I can lead initiatives focused on community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and corporate partnerships. Whether developing and managing strategic partnerships, coordinating volunteer engagement, or strategizing high-impact events, I bring a hands-on leadership approach combined with strategic thinking and a deep commitment to community impact.Beyond my professional work, I remain deeply engaged in the community through organizations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and United Way, where I have served on boards, committees, and leadership initiatives. These experiences help me stay connected to emerging trends in community development and volunteer engagement, while also providing opportunities to build relationships with professionals across sectors.At my core, I am a connector, strategist, and builder of relationships, driven by opportunities to combine community engagement, business operations, and strategic partnerships to create lasting, meaningful impact.

Experience

1. Director of Development

   Georgia Humanities

   Feb 2025 — Present · Atlanta, GA, US

   Serve as the inaugural Director of Development for a statewide nonprofit, leading and executing a comprehensive development strategy in partnership with the President and Board to diversify revenue streams and expand philanthropic support across individual, corporate, and foundation giving.•Lead statewide fundraising, community engagement, and civic outreach initiatives that connect mission-driven programs with communities across Georgia.•Diversify revenue and build strategic partnerships with donors, volunteers, community organizations, and public stakeholders.•Cultivate relationships to strengthen program visibility, advance civic initiatives, and support historically underrepresented populations.•Combine data-informed fundraising strategies, creative engagement, and advocacy to achieve measurable outcomes.•Plan and execute high-impact events and campaigns to grow philanthropic support and deepen community participation.Key Achievements:•Raise over $430K in first-year fundraising, including seven major gifts, achieving 77% donor retention and 100% board participation.•Expand statewide community partnerships and outreach, increasing program participation and advocacy impact.•Advocate successfully for federal funding and policy support to advance statewide educational and cultural programs.•Strengthen long-term sustainability by aligning fundraising strategies with community impact goals and leveraging advocacy initiatives.

Education

• Elon University

  Bachelor of Arts, Human Services