FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Erin Gaffney
(212) 784-5720
NEW YORK (August 11, 2022) – Victoria (Vicky) Hernandez, a leading nonprofit executive with over 25 years of experience driving organizational growth, increasing fundraising capabilities, and growing stakeholder relations, has joined Urban Resource Institute (URI) as Chief Development Officer, reporting to CEO Nathaniel Fields.
As the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the U.S. and a leading service provider for homeless families, URI’s direct services, prevention, and intervention programs impact more than 40,000 individuals annually. Hernandez will focus on the expansion and diversification of URI’s private philanthropic efforts, with a focus on corporations, foundations, and individuals, as well as event fundraising, along with grant proposals for government programs at the local and national levels.
“Vicky brings a passion to her work supporting vulnerable populations through youth, family, and community programs that align with the mission of URI,” noted Fields. “Her extensive experience as a nonprofit executive positions her to expand revenue and fundraising efforts to support our growing impact toward the vision of a world free of domestic violence and homelessness. On behalf of URI’s Board of Trustees, Executive Team, and all staff, I am proud to welcome Vicky to the team.”
Hernandez will set the Development team vision and strategic direction to ensure a continued path for URI growth and impact. She will partner with Programs, Government Affairs, and Marketing teams to maximize revenue generation through URI special events, grants, private philanthropic giving, and government funding—deepening partnerships with donors, corporate, government, and foundations. Additionally, working closely with Fields and URI’s Board of Trustees, Hernandez will support Board development and engagement.
“I am thrilled to join the stellar team at URI, which continue to do transformative work to empower the lives of domestic violence survivors and homeless families,” says Hernandez. “I look forward to help grow and diversify URI’s revenue and fundraising initiatives—so that we may continue to support URI’s programs and the communities we serve.”
Hernandez brings with her a proven record of development leadership success, raising over $45M for renowned organizations—including the Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC), as their Executive Director for over two years, overseeing their work in early childhood, youth and family programs, community development, and increasing ICC’s organizational budget. She also served as the Chief Program Officer at New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC), where she developed and implemented a strategic plan and the Great Falls Promise Neighborhood initiative to ensure that children reach adulthood career- and college-ready. Hernandez started her fundraising career in New York City where she worked for Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City and Enterprise Community Partners.
Hernandez received her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in community development from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service and her Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College.
About Urban Resource Institute (URI):
Urban Resource Institute (URI) transforms the lives of domestic violence survivors and homeless families by empowering individuals, families, and communities, particularly communities of color and other vulnerable populations, to end cycles of domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, and trauma by increasing safety and resiliency. As the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the US and a leading provider of homeless services, URI’s programs impact more than 40,000 individuals annually through prevention, intervention, education, and direct services in both residential and non-residential settings in New York. URI is recognized as a thought-leader with influence across the U.S. and beyond. For more information, visit www.urinyc.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, call NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
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