In September, we welcomed LVC Baltimore Alum (1997-1998) Tait Danielson Castillo onto our staff as our Major Gifts Officer. Tait has been raising funds and building upon the strengths of non-profits for over 20 years. As a graduate of Wittenberg University, he has focused his career on advocacy for under-resourced and new immigrant communities. 

Tait completed his year of service with LVC in 1998 in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to the Twin Cities of Minnesota where he spent another year becoming an ACORN trained community organizer. He invested another 13 years in Minnesota, working at local and international non-profit organizations. Thanks to Tait’s development accomplishments, the Center for Victims of Torture was able to expand its efforts through the construction of their St. Paul Healing Center. He also held the position of Executive Director for two neighborhood-based advocacy organizations in North Minneapolis and the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul.  

After leaving Minnesota, Tait applied his skills as the Development Director for the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the Major Gifts Officer for Habitat for Humanity, both in Miami.  

In 2017, in order to give back to the organization which first opened the door to a life’s work in social justice, Tait returned to the LVC family as its Major Gifts Officer.  

As we approach our 40th Anniversary it is important to reconnect to alumni and grow our network within the neighborhoods we serve. There is a team of staff reaching out to our supporters and developing plans for a celebration. Our Major Gifts Officer’s main goal is to ensure that LVC continues its work for another 40 years. Individual financial contributions have sustained our ability to serve throughout the nation and as a not-for-profit, faith-based organization, it is our alumni and friends that raise the bulk of our funding and keep us grounded.  

Expect a call from Tait or, to find out how you can make a difference in the experience of our current volunteers, contact him at development@lutheranvolunteercorps.org