YouthLink Announces Heather Haynes as Director of Development

YouthLink today announced that Heather Haynes will be joining the organization as its Director of Development on Monday, May 16. YouthLink, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing supportive resources to teens and young adults experiencing homelessness, has been serving the community for more than 45 years. Haynes brings to the role more than 24 years of diverse nonprofit experience including fundraising leadership roles with Planned Parenthood and Friends of the Mississippi River.

“Heather has extensive philanthropic expertise and possesses much needed holistic values that every organization dreams about when trying to build strong teams and communities,” said YouthLink Chief Executive Officer Rich Melzer. “After a rigorous and challenging candidacy phase, we found what we were looking for and so much more in Heather. She’s exactly what we need to grow and elevate our mission at YouthLink.”

In this role, Haynes will design and implement a comprehensive engagement and stewardship plan to raise needed revenue from a variety of sources including individual donors, federal and state grants, special events, private foundations and corporate partners. “Heather has a wealth of knowledge in the fundraising realm,” said Rachael Scherer, YouthLink Board Member and Chair of YouthLink’s Development Committee. “We’re confident she has the personality and skill set to engage with a variety of community partners and donors to advance our development activities.”

“I believe every young person deserves pathways of opportunity toward education, employment, health and wellness and housing stability,” said Haynes, who holds a Master’s Degree in Arts, Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carleton College. “I’m excited to join the team at YouthLink and look forward to contributing to the culture of philanthropy to ensure our organization is supported with the necessary resources.”

YouthLink operates a drop-in center in downtown Minneapolis where young people ages 16-24 can access basic needs and works with community partners to operate two housing programs (Nicollet Square and Downtown View). The organization serves youth who are disconnected from families and other social support, have endured traumatic and adverse childhood experiences, have long histories of street life, exploitation and racism and are disproportionately represented by BIPOC youth (90% of youth served).