Jackie Downing ‘81

Jackie Downing has been with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven since 2011. As the Senior Director of Grantmaking and Nonprofit Support she divides her time between competitive grantmaking and strengthening nonprofits through capacity building programs and The Great Give.  A 1981 graduate of SCSU, Jackie started her professional career at the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in Operations Management and went on in Fund Development at the Dixwell Community “Q” House, where she also served as Program Director.  She was in Development at Sacred Heart Academy and Capital for Change.  Jackie spent four years as the Deputy then Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Hamden.  Her past volunteer service includes Board service with the Dixwell Community House, Sisters’ Journey, the Hamden Land Conservation Trust, the Hamden Education Foundation, and Hamden’s School Readiness Council.  She still volunteers with the Whitney Players (Hamden’s community theatre) and is an 18-gallon blood donor.