WESTPORT – Lucie Connell understands the importance of philanthropy, having a strong foundation in nonprofit development where she designed and implemented strategies to ensure their growth and sustainability. Now, as the new director of development at Earthplace, she’s looking to have a meaningful and lasting impact by strengthening the nonprofit’s ability to grow, connect, and sustain its mission.
“I value the opportunity to educate, engage, and expand awareness of Earthplace’s vision,” said Connell, who earned a BA in International Communications & Global Studies and Masters of public administration degree from Marist College. said. “I want to build a successful fundraising program that’s thoughtful and strategic and is both sustainable and aligned with our mission. In addition to donor engagement, I hope to expand our reach and bring greater visibility to Earthplace.”
Previously, she served as executive director the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation where she oversaw the distribution of funding that came into Newtown following the Sandy Hook School tragedy.
“This experience brought my nonprofit knowledge full circle,” she said. “I’m looking to have an impact on how foundations, corporations, and businesses can connect with our organization to strengthen community impact.”
Earthplace, which is located at 10 Woodside Lane, is a donor supported, non-profit organization committed to building passion and respect for the natural world and a more sustainable future. It blends science, conservation, and education into pathways for learning about nature and the environment for all ages. In addition to being an accredited preschool, nature center, and summer camp, it’s a wildlife sanctuary to 50+ animal ambassadors, leads the Harbor Watch program that helps protect waterways, and is steward of 84 acres of land.
Connell’s main responsibilities will be to lead all fundraising strategies, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, and corporate partnerships. A key priority is developing and executing a strategic campaign designed to elevate visibility, expand partnerships, and support program growth.
“Earthplace has many strong revenue streams in place, including major events, year-round campaigns, fee-for-service programs, and growing opportunities with donors and corporate sponsors, but it has room for funding enhancements,” she said. “I plan to work collaboratively with leadership and the board to establish realistic revenue goals that align with our long-term vision and identify new avenues for consistent, sustainable growth in annual revenue.”
Executive Director Amee Borys appreciates Connell’s commitment to the nonprofit sector.
“Lucie brings over 20 years of mission-driven work and a strong sense of stewardship and accountability. What excites me is that her creativity is grounded in strategy – she’s thoughtful about how to engage donors in ways that are meaningful and aligned with their interests.
“I see her expanding partnerships, strengthening our grant work, and helping us tell our story in a way that deepens relationships and broadens support for Earthplace. She also brings a strong strategic mindset along with excellent attention to detail – especially around donor data, reporting, and stewardship – a proven track record in grant writing and securing funding and she works collaboratively across departments.”
Connell’s career in development began in 2004 at the Urban League of Greater Hartford.
“I discovered my passion for this work and the importance of building strong data systems and relationships,” she said. “It’s important to me that all donors, at any level, feel valued and connected to our mission.”
She added that her goal is to deepen engagement with donors and corporate partners and actively listen to their perspectives. Also, she wants to focus on optimizing Earthplace’s database management and analytics to drive informed decision-making and effective outreach.
“With a passion for data analytics, I’m eager to dedicate time to strengthening our data practices and refining our messaging so that we can reconnect with past donors while also engaging new ones,” Connell added. “There is great potential to take a deeper look into our database to better understand who we have engaged, identify trends, and explore opportunities to thoughtfully reengage past contributors.”
Borys sees how Connell’s mindset supports Earthplace’s mission. “Her work has consistently focused on building partnerships, strengthening communities, and expanding access to impactful programs. She understands how to connect mission to real outcomes for both donors and the community,” she said. “What stood out to me is her genuine enthusiasm – she’s not only passionate about the work, but also about the role development plays in sustaining and growing that impact.”
A bonus for Connell is how her passion for conservation and appreciation of nature complements her development work.
“I remember visiting a recycling center in elementary school and learning how small actions can make a meaningful difference,” she said. “Bringing greater awareness to animals, nature, and the environment is essential to help protect our future for the next generation. Education and awareness play a critical role, especially for younger generations.”
