Sandy Hook Promise and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are excited to announce that, following an extensive and competitive candidate search, Courtney Spellacy has joined as Chief Development Officer.

Reporting to Sandy Hook Promise’s Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Nicole Hockley, Courtney will set strategy for and execute fundraising strategies across giving channels including individual major giving, corporate, foundations, events and government funding, driving efforts to grow all giving channels nationally and develop strategies to expand into new giving channels while maintaining and strengthening relationships with all existing supporters. A member of the executive leadership team, she will have a vital role in driving Sandy Hook Promise’s mission and ensure support for the organization’s strategic growth to expand program reach and effectiveness.

Courtney brings over 20 years of fundraising experience with expertise in strategic planning, relationship management, and optimizing development processes. Most recently, Courtney served as the Vice President of Development with Lawyers’​ Committee for Civil Rights, where she was a member of the Executive Team, spearheaded a significant campaign, drove record-breaking annual results, and diversified revenue across all fundraising categories. Prior, Courtney was with the ACLU, where she was the Deputy Director and Chief Development Officer of ACLU of Massachusetts, Director of Philanthropy with ACLU of Southern California, and Director of Philanthropy with ACLU of Arizona.

Courtney earned her master’s degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in international affairs. 

Courtney shared, “I am deeply honored to join Sandy Hook Promise in its mission to prevent gun violence and create safer communities. I look forward to working with supporters who want to help fuel program and policy efforts across this country. I look forward to working with supporters who want to help fuel program and policy efforts across the country. Gun violence is not inevitable, it is preventable. I am eager to work with all who want to be part of Sandy Hook’s Promise.  

About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise is a nonpartisan organization that was founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012. Sandy Hook Promise is dedicated to preventing gun violence and creating a culture of inclusivity, safety, respect, and kindness in schools and communities across the United States.

Sandy Hook Promise Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that offers a range of evidence-informed programs and initiatives designed to empower youth, educators, and community members to recognize the signs preceding violence and to take steps to prevent it. Their programs include educational resources for schools, youth leadership programs, and community-based campaigns to raise awareness of the impacts of gun violence.

Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) that champions a holistic policy platform that promotes gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education. The organization works at the state and federal level to pass nonpartisan legislation through inclusive partnerships, diverse grassroots education, and community mobilization.

Through its work, Sandy Hook Promise aims to build a movement of individuals and organizations committed to promoting gun safety, mental health awareness, and social and emotional learning. The organization has received widespread support from educators, parents, and lawmakers, as well as celebrities and public figures, and continues to play a vital role in the national conversation around gun violence prevention.

Learn more about Sandy Hook Promise here.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.