Ellen Mansfield, a lifelong resident of Montgomery County and a dedicated servant to her community, has been appointed as the first director of philanthropy for Catholic Charities of Philadelphia.
Growing up in St. David Parish in Willow Grove, Mansfield was introduced to acts of service at a young age by joining the Legion of Mary as a teenager. This early involvement instilled in her a passion for works of mercy that would guide her in serving both the young and the elderly throughout her life.
In her new role, Mansfield will spearhead initiatives aimed at ensuring the sustainable growth of Catholic Charities’ mission to provide compassionate care and essential services throughout the region. Her responsibilities encompass overseeing major gifts, annual and planned giving, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Equally important is her intent to build and foster relationships with donors, while cultivating a robust culture of philanthropy across the Archdiocese.
Mansfield credits her parents for nurturing her call to service. With a background in community work, her father, an employee of the Army Corps of Engineers, specialized in flood relief, helping families recover from catastrophic storms. Her mother, a devoted nurse, spent her time caring for cancer patients. Mansfield vividly recalls accompanying her mother on a patient visit to a Sister of Saint Joseph, an experience that left a lasting impression on her.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Mansfield states, “They really led by example. They encouraged me to serve in whatever ways I could.”
Further influence came from Monsignor Richard Bolger, pastor during her youth at St. David Parish, who emphasized the significance and value of individuals with disabilities, inspired by his sister Marion’s journey as a resident of Divine Providence Village in Delaware County.
Mansfield’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Ursinus College, followed by a Master of Business Administration from La Salle University. She initially entered the workforce at the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission but soon felt a strong pull toward the realm of fundraising—a field she has been dedicated to since 1999.
Her career spanned nearly ten years of raising support for educational institutions like Ursinus College, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and Cardinal Dougherty High School. Eventually, her path took her toward human services when she joined the Center for Autism, where she became the first grant writer. At this organization, she also pioneered a new program evaluation method to measure the progress of the children and youth served.
This experience solidified her commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Following her tenure at the Center for Autism, she spent nine years at Melmark in a role focused on grants and advancement. In 2022, she joined KenCrest as Chief Development Officer, and along the way, she received accreditation as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).
Currently, Mansfield and her family are parishioners at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Plymouth Meeting, where she is actively involved as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and participates in the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Expressing her commitment to this new chapter of service, she cites inspiration from Archbishop Nelson Pérez’s recently announced “missionary hub model” for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. “I definitely want to be part of that growth for the Church,” she reveals.
Mansfield often shares wisdom with her three sons—ages 15, 13, and 10—reminding them that, “the reason God has provided us with more than we need is so we can share it with others. That’s our mission as a family.”
Since taking on her role in August, Mansfield has actively visited various program sites operated by Catholic Charities, including Martha’s Choice Marketplace in Norristown and St. Edmond’s Home for Children in Bryn Mawr, among others. These visits have significantly deepened her commitment to the organization’s mission.
Among her priorities is enhancing collaboration among fundraising professionals across the Archdiocese. “Fundraising is a team sport,” she remarks, underscoring her belief that philanthropy resembles a mission-based friendship, connecting people through inspiring stories of hope and service.
Looking forward, Mansfield is enthusiastic about advancing Catholic Charities’ mission. “We serve more than 300,000 people each year and impact families in countless ways,” she affirms. “We want to walk hand-in-hand with our neighbors, no matter what challenges they face.”
image source from：catholicphilly
