DEB HOWE ALLEN

With nearly 30 years of experience in development, Deb Howe Allen is well-versed in all aspects of fundraising:  direct mail, newsletters, grant writing and reporting, major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, donor relations and stewardship.  She has raised millions of dollars for respected non-profits in higher education (U of R, RIT); health care (the Genesee Hospital Foundation, the Breast Cancer Coalition; Fairport Baptist Homes Foundation); and human services (the ARC of Livingston/Wyoming; Alternatives for Battered Women). 
 
In addition to her development expertise, Deb has experience in advertising, retail sales promotion/special events, financial services, and market research.  But her true passion lies in her work raising money for worthwhile causes such as education, supporting those affected by domestic violence or breast cancer, or quality care for our beloved seniors.
 
Deb has served on a number of boards, including the YWCA; Habitat for Humanity (both the Flower City and the Livingston County affiliates); and the Susan B. Anthony House.  She was a founding member of the Friends of the Wadsworth Library (Geneseo NY); and currently serves on the board of the Geneseo Central Education Fund.
 
She is a nationally published author of both fiction and non-fiction, with her writing appearing in the Strand, the Wall Street Journal, Gourmet and Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion. She is currently working on a children’s book, based on a true story, set in WWII Holland.
 
Deb resides in Geneseo NY with her husband, Jim, who teaches Social Psychology at SUNY Geneseo, and whose work often provides insights into the field of fundraising; and her son, Paul, who recently earned a BS in Physics from Allegheny College, with minors in Psychology and Astronomy. They are hosting their third foreign exchange student, Lara, from Spain, having hosted two other students prior: Matt (Poland, 2016-17) and Maria (Spain, 2018-19).  All three students have enjoyed getting to know the family’s shy but friendly tiger cat, Zelda, while trying to avoid the wrath of their “spicy” Siberian dilute calico cat, Caramel.
 
In addition to writing, Deb also enjoys cooking/baking, gardening, quilting, and travel. Her lifelong goal is to visit all 50 states in the US (11 left) and all 63 National Parks (33 and counting!).