UNCF Announces New Area Development Director to Oversee Its Boston/New England Office

Boston, MA (PRWEB) July 10, 2014

UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) announced today that Lois Smith has been named the organization’s Boston/New England office Area Development Director. Smith comes to UNCF with 20 years of experience in fundraising, grant management and donor relations, and will lend her expertise to ensuring African American students receive the education they need, and that we need them to have.

“We are thrilled to have Lois on our team, and we are confident that her skills and experience will help us elevate our work getting Boston/New England students to and through college to the next level,” said Fred Mitchell, vice president, Development, UNCF. “Investing in our young people’s futures is more important than ever, and we look forward to seeing Lois build on the $600,000 of support Boston/New England UNCF received last year to a goal of $900,000.”

Smith’s main focus in her new role will be increasing UNCF’s presence and visibility in the Boston/New England area. She is working to establish a Leadership Council of community leaders with a goal of having a kick-off meeting in the Fall. She will also be responsible for stewardship of UNCF’s community support and donor base, including the city’s education, business and faith communities. Smith has also made highlighting the impact of UNCF in Boston and New England a priority, showing the value of UNCF support through the stories of alumni and students it has touched.

“I am pleased and honored to be working with an organization that has supported more than 430,000 students since its founding 70 years ago,” said Smith. “Investing in our young people here in Boston today will pay dividends for them, their families, Boston, and all of us as they become our next generation of leaders.”

Smith has worked extensively in the non-profit sector with significant results. Prior to joining UNCF, she was senior program officer at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation where she oversaw the distribution of approximately $1.6 million in funds and advanced donor and volunteer engagement. Prior to the Foundation, she was a recruitment consultant at Worcester Public Schools, and also worked for organizations such as Roxbury Multi Service Center, Boston University, St. Francis House and the Dimock Community Health Center.

Smith pursued her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at Northeastern University, and received her Master of Education with a concentration in Human Services from Northeastern University.

About UNCF:

UNCF—the United Negro College Fund—is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at http://www.UNCF.org.

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