After a year of evaluation, planning and searching, the DP Board of Directors in December hired the organization’s first-ever Director of Development to shepherd and drive the organization’s expanded fundraising efforts. DP Alumni: meet Steven Molberger, who you’ll be hearing from regularly in our alumni communications going forward.
Steven most recently worked for YSC Academy, a private school in the Philadelphia suburbs for budding soccer stars, where he raised more than $3 million over 18 months as the school’s inaugural development director. He previously worked for UJA-Federation of New York, as Director of Development for American Field Service’s US organization, and as Director of Annual Giving for Hofstra University.
Following a decade-long decline in advertising revenue that mirrors the newspaper industry overall, the DP Board has positioned fundraising as a second pillar of revenue needed to support the DP’s operations in future decades. The decision to hire a full-time development professional was one of the key recommendations which emerged from a six-month study by a nationally renowned consulting firm last year.
“I’m excited to have Steven join our team,” said DP General Manager Eric Jacobs. “After working together for just a few weeks, he’s been immersed in the history, culture, and impact the DP has on both the Penn community and the alumni who have worked here, and I think he’ll do a great job in working improving and expanding our outreach to DP alumni.”
Molberger is similarly enthusiastic about the future. “There seem to be so many opportunities for alumni engagement in the things the DP is doing,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to talking to DP alumni about their DP experiences, and how we can better engage alumni in advancing the DP’s mission.”
Many DP alumni will be hearing from Molberger directly in the weeks and months ahead, but if you want to share with him the meaning the DP has had in your life, or any thoughts or ideas you have, you can reach out to him at molberger@theDP.com or call 215-422-4645.