DETROIT—The Detroit Lions announced today that they have hired Jen McCollum as senior director of community relations and Detroit Lions Charities. She will oversee both the organization's community outreach programs and philanthropic foundation.
"Our commitment to Detroit and the greater community is crucial to the Detroit Lions," said Lions President Rod Wood. "Jen brings a vast amount of experience in the philanthropic and nonprofit space to our organization. She will be able to lead our community efforts in both programming and fundraising to elevate what we've already established to another level. We're proud to have her join the team and excited for her to make an impact on this community."
In her new role, McCollum will manage relationships with local organizations and lead the comprehensive philanthropic activities of the organization including programming, the relationships with the Detroit Lions Legends and the Detroit Lions Women's Association, in addition to generating revenue for Detroit Lions Charities.
McCollum joins the Lions after serving as the executive vice president, development & communications for Northern Virginia Family Service who helps individuals and families improve their quality of life and promotes community cooperation and support in responding to family needs. Their general fundraising revenue nearly doubled during her tenure managing their donor stewardship, grant solicitation, gift acceptance and acknowledgement, and event execution.
Her established nonprofit career also includes holding several development positions at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, Counseling Service (CCS) –Midwest Division, Big Brothers Big Sisters in Lansing, Mich., The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Family, Career & Community Leaders of America and the American Cancer Society with a specific focus on fundraising and donor relations at each organization.
Outside of work, McCollum has donated her time to several nonprofit and professional organizations such as Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia, Leadership Fairfax, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy.
McCollum received a bachelor of arts degree in communications, with a public relations specialization from Michigan State University and a master of arts degree in philanthropic studies from Indiana University, as well as continuing education certificates in events management and nonprofit management from George Washington University and Indiana University respectively. She is a native of Grand Blanc, Mich.
