Erin Dowland Kabwe

Erin Dowland Kabwe

Erin Dowland Kabwe is a mission-driven convener and strategist with a passion for helping to create an equitable world and global experience in fundraising initiatives. She brings nearly 25 years’ experience working in diverse, global nonprofit organizations.

As Vice President of Development at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Dowland Kawbe will connect people and resources to the organization’s mission and impact; oversee foundation, event and individual giving activities; secure major gifts and planned gifts; support and guide the president & CEO in donor cultivation and stewardship; and lead efforts to develop stronger funding partnerships with law firms, corporations and other institutions.

Over a nearly 25-year career, Dowland Kabwe has raised more than $200 million for mission-driven organizations across the globe. Former leadership roles include executive director for Humboldt Park Health Foundation and chief development officer at CEDA. Previously, she led two large initiatives at Opportunity International and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), raising almost $30 million. While at LCIF, Dowland Kabwe launched a major gifts program and secured $13.5 million from eight countries through a series of events held over six months. She also worked and consulted for United Way.

Dowland Kabwe is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and has lived abroad while volunteering with United Way of Jamaica and the U.S. Peace Corps in Ukraine. She will be based at the Shriver Center’s headquarters in Chicago.