Courtney Backen, Community Impact

Courtney is a St. Paul-based fundraiser with a decade of experience raising money for causes including environmental protection, public libraries, public radio, and human services. She is currently President-Elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - MN and, in 2020, helped co-found the Minnesota movement of Community Centric Fundraising. As Director of Community & Capacity Development at GiveMN, Courtney leads the charge on Minnesota’s annual giving holiday, Give to the Max Day, and is passionate about creating fundraising education opportunities that are accessible, meaningful, and rooted in fundraiser wellbeing. Outside of work, Courtney loves Costco, staying at home, knitting, and doing DIY projects. She’s the oldest of three siblings (which means she’s responsible and organized) and tries to spend as much time as possible with her family in Daegu, Korea.