Nonprofit organizations are guided by the enthusiasm and expertise of the many selfless individuals who power their missions. Though often intentionally avoiding the spotlight, development staff are at the heart of this success, playing a critical role in securing necessary resources that enable organizations to have a lasting impact on their communities. Through this series, we aim to celebrate their achievements, share their stories, and highlight the innovative strategies that advance their missions and strengthen the nonprofit sector as a whole.
We begin with Nancy Van Wie, whose journey to becoming the Director of Philanthropy for the Adirondack Land Trust (ALT) is a testament to lifelong passion, persistence, and unwavering belief in the power of connection. During her 22-year tenure at the organization, Ms. Van Wie has played a critical role in ensuring that ALT accomplishes its mission to conserve the lands and waters of the Adirondack Park. Through her work, she demonstrates the transformative impact that development professionals have on nonprofit success.
Ms. Van Wie’s story began lakeside at the Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center on Lake George, where her love of the Adirondacks first took root. The summers spent there with her family fostered a divine appreciation for the natural ecology and history of the great outdoors. Ms. Van Wie often found herself canoeing across the lake to explore a vast wooded parcel of land — a special slice of nature that would both teach and inspire her. Eventually, a childhood dream of preserving Silver Bay’s untouched beauty of the region became a lifelong pursuit.
After earning degrees in Environmental Science and French from the University of Vermont, Ms. Van Wie’s initial career path led her to accepting a corporate job in Massachusetts. Although she achieved success early on in her career, the desire to pursue something more meaningful always remained in the back of her mind. Ultimately, she left her for profit career behind, relocating to the Adirondacks with only a few belongings, her horse, and no guaranteed income. There, she worked towards a master’s degree and eventually established her own consulting business to support local nonprofits.
It was a pivotal moment at Silver Bay that directed Ms. Van Wie’s career toward land conservation. After consulting for the Silver Bay Association, a collaboration between the Lake George Land Conservancy and the Association preserved her beloved shoreline, fulfilling a personal dream. Witnessing this success awakened her determination to support conservation efforts through fundraising full-time. When ALT sought a fundraiser, she knew she had found the right fit.
“You have to follow your dreams. You really do,” Ms. Van Wie said. “I wanted to be in the Adirondacks, and now I’m doing all the things I could ever dream of wanting to do, meeting the most incredible people along the way.”
When she joined ALT in 2002, the organization worked in partnership with the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Ms. Van Wie led fundraising for both organizations. Founded in 1984, ALT became a fully independent land trust in 2016, one tasked with focusing exclusively on protecting the Adirondacks. Ms. Van Wie played a vital role in navigating the transition, ensuring donor relationships and organizational commitments were honored during the separation between both entities.
Today, ALT has grown from a team of three to 14 staff members, with Ms. Van Wie leading development efforts. Her work supports strategic initiatives, including a campaign to accelerate conservation projects and expand organizational capacity. Her approach to fundraising is deeply rooted in relationships. She emphasizes listening to donors, understanding their passions, and aligning their philanthropic goals with ALT’s needs.
“Fundraising to me isn’t so much about raising the money,” Ms. Van Wie said. “It’s really all about what the donor wants. My job is to listen, ask questions, and to find where the needs of the organization align with the donor’s interest. If that alignment doesn’t happen, and I make a friend in the process, and I can help direct them to another organization that can help them fulfill their own philanthropic vision, then I have succeeded.”
Her efforts have not only secured funding for land preservation and conservation work, but have also cultivated a community united by their love for the Adirondacks. From securing multimillion-dollar donations to thanking donors via handwritten notes, Ms. Van Wie views every interaction as an opportunity to strengthen ALT’s foundation. Beyond raising funds, she credits ALT’s success to the collective efforts of its team. She highlights the importance of collaboration between development staff and programmatic teams, ensuring that donors hear directly from conservation experts about the impact of their contributions. As ALT looks to the future, Ms. Van Wie remains at the heart of its efforts, channeling her passion for the Adirondacks into meaningful work that benefits the land, its wildlife, and the people who cherish it.
“My mother always told me that if you borrow something, give it back in the same or better condition,” Ms. Van Wie said. “That has always stuck with me. I don’t have children, but if I’m on this planet for some period of time, I must have a purpose. If I can somehow make things a little better for somebody or give the Adirondacks back in the same or better condition, I would have fulfilled what my mother asked me to do in life.”
Through the leadership of individuals like Nancy Van Wie, organizations like the Adirondack Land Trust continue to have a considerable impact on their communities, ensuring that cherished landscapes are protected for generations to come.
