Eliza Jarvinen

Eliza Jarvinen joined Ed Trust as associate director of development in Spring 2019. Previously, she served as director, institutional and major gifts, at Breaking Ground, a supportive housing and homeless outreach provider, and over the course of her career, worked in various front-line fundraising roles at several organizations, including Educational Alliance, a 130-year old settlement house in the Lower East Side of Manhattan; Carter Burden Network, a network of senior centers and social service programs for older adults; and Sunnyside Community Services another multi-service settlement house in Queens. Eliza got her start in fundraising as an intern at Girls for Gender Equity, a youth development and advocacy organization in Brooklyn. In each of these positions, she cultivated enduring funding partnerships with foundation, corporate, and government partners.

Eliza has a master’s degree in fundraising management from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Bard College. She serves on the board of Constellations Chamber Music. She lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband and dog.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I like to dabble in many things: playing music, seeing theater, raising my puppy, going on hikes in the woods, knitting hats for friends and family, and getting enough sleep. Variety is the spice of life!

Why are you passionate about working at Ed Trust?
I am honored to raise funds to support Ed Trust’s mission. I am in awe of my colleagues who—to a person, from every corner of the organization—bring incredible expertise and passion to their work. It’s a thrill to see how our organization has been successful in pushing for race-conscious and student-centered policies and how we are relentless in continuing to fight for racial equity in education. I am proud of the way we do our work too, ensuring that our recommendations are shaped by the lived experiences and priorities of the students and communities most impacted by education policy.