by Patrick Smith, SHIM Donor Relations Officer
I’m the new Development Relations Officer at SHIM and I have worked in nonprofit development and fundraising for nearly two decades. I’m originally from New Castle, PA, but currently live with my wife Christina on Mt. Washington, where I have lived for over 10 years.
My career in development began with an internship at a large think tank in Washington, DC, after I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 with a degree in Political Science. I often tell the story that I discovered my calling by accident, applying to the organization’s Development department not even knowing exactly what it would entail. As I progressed through the internship, I realized I loved working with the organization’s donors – communicating need, reporting impact, and stewarding those relationships.
After a semester in the nation’s capital, I returned to Pittsburgh and started an internship downtown with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. This would be my introduction to the city’s generous and vibrant nonprofit community.
I continued to hone my skills with roles of increasing responsibility at several Pittsburgh nonprofits, including Pittsburgh Botanic Garden (before there was a garden!), The Frick Art & Historical Center, and Chatham University. I spent my days answering member calls, processing donations, and managing donor databases. I’m grateful for this time in my career because it formed the foundation for my work moving forward. It also made me a better colleague, having spent time working with donors throughout each step of the process.
I settled into my longest professional stint when I accepted a position with Pittsburgh’s public radio stations WYEP and WESA. As a long-time fan of both stations, it was a dream come true to put my skills and experience to work for something I was so passionate about. My passion for public media and its supporters continued to fuel me when I took my next position with WQED – one of the most storied and landmark institutions in Pittsburgh and the public media industry. Public media will always be important to me because it provides something sorely needed by our communities: high-quality, reliable news and entertainment (often local!) and irreplaceable educational programming. 
As I helped steward WQED’s donors and grow the development program, I knew this type of work fulfilled me. Bridging the gap between donors and the impact they wanted to make on their community drives me. When the opportunity to do this work at SHIM presented itself, I was intrigued. I recognized a growing need in our communities for human services – especially during the COVID pandemic. I thought about the good I could do on a more family-to-family level. The more I learned about SHIM’s work in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, the more I could see myself dedicating my efforts to their mission, their donors, and their neighbors.
I couldn’t be more excited about joining the amazing team at SHIM and supporting their mission to mobilize community resources and implement sustainable programs that compassionately help our neighbors meet basic needs, achieve self-sufficiency and build community. The needs of our neighbors have increased tremendously and organizations like SHIM are more critical than ever. SHIM’s food pantries benefitted almost 8,000 individuals last year, nearly 350 students benefitted from SHIM’s youth programs, and SHIM helped those in need access thousands of dollars in utility assistance and essential programs related to financial hardship and housing stability.
My job is to tell that story. A story of great need and great opportunity. A story of community and neighbors coming together. A story of hope and strength in the face of adversity. SHIM’s donors help us write that story every day. It is my privilege to serve them and communicate the impact of their tireless generosity. In my relatively short time at SHIM, I’m inspired by not just our donors, but by the scores of volunteers (often donors!) that stock and staff the food pantries, ensure there are items on the racks at the clothing closet, help mentor the students in our youth programs, and so much more. The spirit of service at SHIM is like nothing I’ve seen anywhere else in my journey.
One experience that sticks with me: While volunteering at the food pantry at our new Family Center location in West Mifflin, we started the day with a table full of stuffed animals for the kids accompanying their parents. By the end of my shift, the table was empty. Every time I saw a child excitedly pick out a stuffed animal and a parent smile, I knew SHIM was doing more than just feeding families. We are nurturing an entire community, and together, we will continue to build a thriving South Hills for everyone.
Find out how you can get involved on our Donate page!
