Hannah Whalen, Director of Development

Originally from Midcoast Maine, Hannah has over two decades of experience working in philanthropy. Most recently, she was director of donor engagement at the Maine Community Foundation, where she worked for 11 years assisting donors—with Maine-centric interests—to reach their philanthropic goals. Her work there resulted in millions of dollars for Maine nonprofits and happy donors.

A graduate of the University of Maine, she holds a degree in English with a concentration in creative writing, and she studied Irish literature for a year in Galway, Ireland. She completed the Maine Development Foundation’s Leadership Maine Program in 2018 and is a Maine Master Naturalist.

Hannah is a thoughtful listener and enjoys making connections whether by finding creative ways to match people’s interests with funding opportunities or making introductions for people “who should know each other.” She is a creative cook, artist, poet, and naturalist at heart. She has lived on MDI for over two decades and enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her husband, their two cats, family, and friends.

On land conservation: “The coast of Maine has been a constant throughout my life. My gratitude and awe for this beautiful, fragile, fascinating place runs deep, as does my concern for its future. I have seen major changes to the environment during my lifetime. I believe that my passion for the natural world and career skills in philanthropy have found a perfect home at Maine Coast Heritage Trust, alongside an incredible team of knowledgeable people dedicated to advancing the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities.”

On the job: Hannah leads the Development Team, which is responsible for major aspects of fundraising including: the annual fund, planned gifts, capital projects and restricted operating support, as well as managing the database and essential stewardship of MCHT’s generous contributors.