Names in the News: Kathy Blair, Giving DuPage

Name and Occupation: Kathy Blair, executive director of Giving DuPage.

What are some of your responsibilities with Giving DuPage?

As the Executive Director of Giving DuPage, I am responsible for the creation and coordination of our programs as well as the outreach and marketing of the organization. The Giving DuPage Board (and I have an outstanding board) is responsible for organizational governance and they oversee fundraising as well. 

In your opinion, why is having an organization like Giving DuPage important to the community?  

Giving DuPage serves as a clearinghouse for opportunities to get involved in area non-profits. So when community members decide they want to volunteer, they can come to our website and search  by cause, location, or by a specific organization. The website is a 24/7, one-stop-shop for volunteering. Giving DuPage also creates collaborative opportunities for non-profits to raise awareness around what they do. Events like volunteer fairs, days of service and recently the brought the community together to highlight all of the good work being done in the community and ways to give back. Our annual Giving Guide is a publication that identifies volunteer opportunities for more than a 100 area organizations as well. So, in many ways the role that Giving DuPage plays is convener. 

What do you like most about working with Giving DuPage and working with the community? 

Who doesn’t enjoy working with non-profit staff and volunteers? These are the most passionate, kindest, most selfless people you will ever meet. I am in awe of the amazing work being done in DuPage County by volunteers and non-profit staff. We live and work in a very giving community.

What are some key ways people can make a difference locally?  

People can make a difference by doing work they feel strongly about. This differs among individuals and there is a wide range of non-profits to address people’s varying interests. While many people align with human service causes likes hunger and homelessness, there are many opportunities to give back in the areas of history, conservation and the environment, literacy and job training. The first question I ask when someone decides they want to volunteer is “What cause interests you most?” and then we can talk about what is out there. 

For more information about Giving DuPage, click here or call 630-407-6458