Elena Brandt
Elena is a relationship-building maven. Her natural ability to nurture authentic relationships and facilitate meaningful connections with clients, colleagues and her community at large has been a guiding force throughout her rewarding 30+ year career in philanthropy.
The meaning of philanthropy, "for the love of humankind," is woven into Elena's DNA. Elena listens. Asks purposeful questions. Hears not only what is said but also what is left unsaid. Elena is a trusted keeper of privileged information. She is at once highly professional and personally relatable, having mastered both the science and art of fundraising.
Elena has a particular affinity for the "underdog," a desire to help struggling organizations reach a more secure and sustainable place. She has worked with organizations of all sizes and budgets, and is well-versed in the unique needs and opportunities facing small to mid-sized nonprofits today. She applies her entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on business experience to create a custom, right-sized approach for each client engagement.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
As founder and principal of Brandt Associates, established in 1995, Elena has assembled an impressive team of leading professionals with expertise in fundraising, grantwriting, organizational effectiveness and marketing. Together, they offer an unparalleled portfolio of experience, strategic thinking and innovative solutions to a diverse and growing portfolio of clients.
Elena has passionately directed philanthropy, volunteer leadership, capital campaigns, major gifts and annual giving programs for clients throughout northern New England and internationally. She has served as the senior development officer at local, regional and national organizations including Waynflete School, Southern Maine Community College, the University of Maine School of Law, Hurricane Island Outward Bound School and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. She created the Southern Maine Community College Foundation and served as its first executive director. Early in her career, Elena drew upon her communications background to work for the United Way of Greater Portland and the Macmillan Publishing Company.
Before launching her own consulting firm, Elena had the privilege of working as an associate for a firm in Chicago and Boston. These experiences were transformative and Elena is very grateful for the training, education, and mentorship that she received from some outstanding senior professionals. Providing training and education to development professionals, executive directors, and volunteer leaders is one of her strengths.
A former board president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for Northern New England (AFPNNE), Elena is a frequent facilitator at conference and training sessions including the Board Network, Lift 360, Institute for Civic Leadership, Maine Philanthropy Center, Maine Association of Nonprofits and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is a well-known mentor for young professionals, currently serving on a regional leadership committee for the Association of Fund Raising Professionals to match up-and-coming development professionals with those who are more experienced.
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
Elena's drive to make the world a better place doesn't only extend through her day-to-day work with mission-driven clients. Her ongoing commitment to strengthening communities is best exemplified with her ongoing volunteer leadership. She is a former trustee of Maine Initiatives, Maine Jewish Film Festival, Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance. As a volunteer for the International Visitor Program of the World Affairs Council of Maine, she served as trainer for non-governmental organizations. Elena is currently an active member and volunteer of the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust and a mentor for Welcoming the Stranger, an organization in Portland, Maine that matches local mentors with asylum-seekers to help them integrate into the community.
EDUCATION
A graduate of Nasson College in Springvale, ME with a BA in English, Elena received a Masters of Arts from the Bread Loaf School at Middlebury College. Throughout her career, she has continued advanced training in all aspects of nonprofit management.
PERSONAL
Elena lives with her husband Larry in Cape Elizabeth, ME and is enthusiastic about gardening, the outdoors, exploring diverse cultures and doing her part to make the world a better place in which to live.