JOEL JAQUEZ
Manager of External Relations and Partnerships, Learning by Giving Foundation
Age: 28
Heritage: Dominican
Joel Jaquez is currently the Manager of External Relations and Partnerships at the Learning by Giving Foundation. Founded by philanthropist Doris Buffett, the oldest sister of legendary investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett, Learning by Giving inspires and educates a new generation of philanthropists and community leaders to effectively distribute capital to local communities. Through his work, Joel seeks to make philanthropy more accessible, inclusive and diverse for all.
Joel is a first-generation Dominican-American. Growing up in New York and Massachusetts, Joel's family were often the beneficiaries of the work of many great and local nonprofits who were able to help during tough times; whether it was providing necessities through the local food bank, or helping his mom through the process of becoming an American citizen. It was through these experiences that inspired Joel to dedicate his career to giving back.
Joel began his journey at the University of Massachusetts-Boston where he studied Political Science and Psychology and was the first in his family to graduate from college. As a student, he did research at the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy. Here he studied transnational communities in Boston, specifically Brazilian and Dominican populations, to better understand the ways that culture influences public health. Interested in learning how government intersects with the needs of the community, he began to work at the United States Attorney's office where he was awarded an Excellence Service Award by former US Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.
Shortly after graduating, Joel began to pursue a career in nonprofits. As an intern, he helped lead the public policy efforts for the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network to increase charitable giving across Massachusetts. He then worked at WGBH Educational Foundation where he led fundraising projects to benefit PBS and NPR programming. Realizing there was a lack of minority and Latinx representation on the funding side of the nonprofit sector, Joel began to work at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley where he was part of the Community Impact team that oversaw the organization's strategic grantmaking to over 200 Massachusetts-based nonprofits each year.
Joel is on the Steering Committee for Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) Boston, served on the Board of Directors for Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Boston, and has twice served as a judge for Nonprofit Excellence Awards held at the Massachusetts State House each year.
Joel believes more Latinx leaders should contribute to the growth of the nonprofit sector through their time, talent, treasure, or ties if more vulnerable communities are to be elevated each day. He hopes that through his work, he can inspire others to think more about their neighborhoods and the people that live in them.
