Benjamin Alfaro

Director of Advancement

Benjamin Alfaro serves as Director of Advancement at the Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD), where he leads the organization’s fundraising, philanthropic partnerships, and advancement strategy. He works to grow the relationships, investments, and long-term resources that strengthen MCCD, support its members, and advance community development across Minnesota.

Benjamin brings experience spanning philanthropy, workforce and economic development, education, arts and culture, strategic communications, and institutional partnerships. Prior to joining MCCD, he led corporate and foundation relations at Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota, securing philanthropic investments and developing strategic partnerships that supported workforce development, family economic mobility, and community-based initiatives throughout the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

His approach to advancement is grounded in the belief that philanthropy is most effective when it aligns shared purpose with lasting community impact. At MCCD, Benjamin focuses on expanding philanthropic partnerships, diversifying revenue sources, and securing sustainable resources to strengthen both the consortium and the communities its members serve.

Benjamin is also a writer and researcher whose work examines philanthropy, governance, public trust, and the ways institutions define and respond to community needs. His writing has recently appeared in or is forthcoming from Nonprofit Quarterly, MinnPost, and the Knowledge Construction in Philanthropy series, a partnership between the Urban Research Action Network and the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Wayne State University and a Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Leadership from the University of Minnesota. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Management and Public Service at Hamline University.

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