Popilowski
Beth-El Center homeless shelter and community kitchen in Milford announced today the hiring of new Chief Development Officer Richard Popilowski.
With a career of over 35 years working in the nonprofit industry, Popilowski has spent the last eight years with the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts as its director of principal and major gifts, chief development officer and director of the capital campaign to build the new Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut. He has generated millions of dollars for the organizations he has worked for, including Fairfield University, Bridgeport Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital, Nantucket Hospital, Milford Hospital, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County and the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation through major gifts, annual and planned giving, events, grants and capital campaigns.
As Beth-El Center’s chief development officer, Popilowski will be responsible for creating a comprehensive development program that expands the center’s fundraising activities. He is taking over for previous Director of Development Troy Gonda, who recently departed to pursue a new endeavor in the Waterbury area. Gonda spent the past 18 months initiating the center’s development and gifts operations, organizing and growing its donor database and coordinating fundraising projects.
“Troy’s impact on the whole Beth-El Center community will be long-lasting and we are so grateful for the time and expertise he committed to us,” Beth-El Executive Director Jenn Paradis said. “We’re excited to welcome Dick to serve as a key member of the center’s leadership team to support our growth and development as we plan for our expansion and new building.”