Project Bread is excited to welcome MacKenzie Nekton, of Boston’s North End neighborhood, as the new Assistant Director of Donor Campaigns & Engagement. Originally from Occidental, Calif., a small town where she first experienced the power of community-based food systems, Nekton is passionate about connecting people to causes that drive lasting change. With a background in development, fundraising, and donor engagement, she is committed to furthering Project Bread’s mission to end hunger in Massachusetts.
“Everyone deserves to eat,” says Nekton. “The fact that not everyone can afford to is unacceptable, and I am thrilled to be joining an organization that is leading the fight to end hunger. Project Bread’s approach to this work, pairing advocacy for systemic change with direct services to provide immediate relief, is incredibly powerful, impacting not only people’s ability to eat in the short term, but also the very future of food. I’m excited to support their work and to employ innovative, donor-centric strategies to engage both new and long-time supporters.”
Nekton joins Project Bread after a strong career in the nonprofit sector, having worked in roles ranging from major gifts to grassroots and peer-to-peer fundraising. Prior to joining the team, she held positions at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Project Place, where she built relationships with donors and supported impactful fundraising campaigns.
As Assistant Director of Donor Campaigns & Engagement, Nekton will work to enhance fundraising strategies, cultivate donor relationships, and ensure that Project Bread’s mission resonates with individuals across giving levels. Her work will focus on engaging new supporters, retaining existing donors, and leveraging data-driven insights to create meaningful campaigns.
“MacKenzie’s energy and passion for the mission are already apparent,” says Elizabeth Greenhalgh, Chief Advancement Officer at Project Bread. “Her deep understanding of donor engagement, combined with her commitment to social justice and equity, make her the perfect fit for this role. She will be an invaluable asset as we continue our work to ensure that no one in Massachusetts goes hungry.”
A graduate of Northeastern University, Nekton studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and completed internships through the university’s co-op program, including a role at the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office. It was during her time at Northeastern that she became involved in nonprofit work and realized her desire to dedicate her career to making a positive impact in the world.
“I do this work because I believe that everyone has the ability to make the world a better place. One of the ways that I can do that is by connecting people to opportunities for them to make a difference,” says Nekton. “Project Bread does incredible, impactful work, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.” People experiencing food insecurity should call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), which provides confidential, free assistance getting connected to a variety of food resources in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. Counselors can pre-screen families and help them to apply for SNAP. Learn more at www.projectbread.org/get-help.