Catholic Charities Development

New director ready to build relationships with donors

 

Venice—Becky Higgins is the new Director of Development for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. Higgins comes to the organization after serving as Director of Community Campaigns for United Way for several years.

 

A native of New England, Higgins obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Education from the University of Maine at Orono. She is a former public and Catholic school teacher and is married and has two daughters.

 

Higgins will plan, coordinate and direct fundraising efforts for Catholic Charities, and communicate the works of the organization to prospective and existing donors.

 

“We had a very competitive list of candidates and based on Becky’s experience, personality, and integrity, she became the clear choice for Catholic Charities,” said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice. “She will help us to build stronger relationships with our donors. There are a lot of generous and caring people who want to give something back to their community and Becky will guide them through the various programs and services of Catholic Charities and the good work they do for our neighbors in need.”

 

Higgins was first introduced to fundraising as a young mother when a close friend’s daughter was in need of a liver transplant. The family was struggling and she wanted to do something to help. “Without knowing anything about fundraising, I put together an event, got it promoted in the local media, and spoke at all the schools and churches in town asking for support,” she said. “I had the pleasure of giving the family $10,000 for their medical needs. That was my orientation to fundraising and it was truly a wonderful feeling to help others. I have never stopped fundraising for a good cause since then.”

 

Getting to know supporters of Catholic Charities is priority for Higgins. “I am available to answer any questions, or give tours of our programs,” she said. “I want to know what our donors are passionate about.”

 

“My role is to represent the good stewardship of Catholic Charities and be available to our donors to show them how we are invested in serving the neediest in Southwest Florida,” Higgins said. “I welcome phone calls and emails and I am happy to speak to anyone.”

 

Higgins has been touring Catholic Charities offices located throughout the Diocese of Venice. “I am so impressed with the variety of programs and the quality of the dedicated staff. I am equally amazed at the generosity of the volunteers and donors,” she said. “I have met volunteers that have been traveling up to an hour each way to a Catholic Charities site for many years. They are so faithful to the organization.”

 

Another goal for Higgins is to get the word out to those who are unfamiliar with the work of Catholic Charities. “I want to help the communities of Southwest Florida to learn more about the programs and services of Catholic Charities and that we serve everyone with respect and dignity.”

 

Higgins said she has always considered herself a public servant. “I also am a life-long learner and I am enthusiastically embracing my future with Catholic Charities,” she said.

 

To contact Director of Development Becky Higgins, please call 941-244-9490, ext. 5 or email Higgins@dioceseofvenice.org.

 

Photo: Catholic Charities Director of Development Becky Higgins.