Bio - Staff - Development Archives

Franklin Anderson

Franklin Anderson, Senior Director, Inclusive Philanthropy and Partnerships

Franklin Anderson

Franklin Anderson (he/him) is the Senior Director, Inclusive Philanthropy and Partnerships, at the disability advocacy nonprofit organization Disability Belongs™.

Anderson is a passionate professional who fights for equal rights and opportunities for all marginalized communities. His passion in the disability space is ensuring the disability community has access to education, economic opportunity and fair representation in society broadly.

At Disability Belongs™, his work is focused on foundation and donor relations, as well as leading the inclusive philanthropy program. Anderson helps enable major foundations, philanthropists and corporations ensure their philanthropic dollars go the furthest – by enabling investments in organizations and programs to be inclusive of people with disabilities. Hispanic himself, he also is heavily involved in the work of RespectAbility to serve the Latinos with disabilities community, and connecting the Latino community as a whole to inclusive philanthropy.

Prior to joining Disability Belongs™, Anderson earned his Master’s of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University Bloomington. During his time in Indiana, he worked with a local environmental organization providing volunteer management and administrative support. He also held academic positions at Indiana University, worked as a grant writer at a local nonprofit, and career development office. Anderson also served as an advisor to new nonprofits to help develop their fundraising efforts. He also earned his Bachelor’s in Political Science from Eastern Michigan University, concentrating in public policy and political theory.

Contact Franklin Anderson

Reach Anderson at FranklinA@DisabilityBelongs.org.

Meet our Staff

Theresa Soares

Theresa Soares, Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Theresa Soares

Theresa Soares is the Manager, Strategic Partnerships, at the disability advocacy nonprofit organization Disability Belongs™.

Soares brings more than 10 years of experience in the news media and entertainment, corporate, and private philanthropy sectors where she has cultivated success in sourcing, strengthening, and growing business development and donor relationships.

Previously, Soares served as the Corporate Development Director for PBS in Central California, overseeing corporate development underwriting and sponsorships including notable collaborations with Ken Burn’s “Country Music,” Nature “American Spring Live,” and the National Sikh Campaign’s development of public service announcements.

Passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, Soares previously co-founded the Young Adult Leadership Council (YALC) at the National Center for Learning Disabilities where she participated as a mentor for young adults as they progressed through higher education and into the workforce.

Soares obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mills College, where she created a major titled “Business, Management, and Social Innovation.” Soares resides in California where she spends her free time exploring and hiking through National Parks or visiting her hometown of Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula.

Contact Theresa Soares

Reach Soares at TheresaS@DisabilityBelongs.org.

Meet our Staff

Ally Mills

Ally Mills, Manager, Individual Giving

Ally Mills

Ally Mills is the Manager, Individual Giving, at the disability advocacy nonprofit organization Disability Belongs™.

Mills is an experienced fundraising professional with a deep commitment to the nonprofit, change-making, philanthropic world. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Community Leadership and a Master’s degree in Management, both from Aquinas College. Mills has previously held positions fundraising for health care, higher education, and workforce development.

Passionate about the community, Mills is highly engaged in several local nonprofits in West Michigan. She is the president of her local Optimist Club, sits on a community hospital board, and volunteers regularly. Having grown up in the health care system, Mills is passionate about health equity, advocacy, and fighting systemic stigmas.

Mills is based in West Michigan. She is an avid puzzler, crafts often, and loves to spend time crocheting on the front porch! She also enjoys spending time with her family, her partner, and their dogs.

Contact Ally Mills

Reach Mills at AllyM@DisabilityBelongs.org.

Meet our Staff

Ian Cherutich

Ian Cherutich, Associate, Development

Ian Cherutich

Ian Cherutich is the Associate, Development, at the disability advocacy nonprofit organization Disability Belongs™.

Cherutich has experience in both the disability and nonprofit fundraising space. As a Housing Intern in Legacy Counseling Center’s Homebase for Housing program, he wrote educational material meant to inform nonprofit professionals on how to best serve people experiencing homelessness who have HIV/AIDS. In his previous role as a Development Associate at Readers 2 Leaders, a children’s literacy nonprofit, Cherutich wrote applications for grant funding, managed the organization’s 2019 North Texas Giving Day fundraising drive, and performed other fundraising tasks as the organization surpassed one million dollars in annual revenue. [continue reading…]