Phil Mason, NEW Director of Development
Phil Mason is the newest addition to the Union Capital (UC) Core Team, stepping into the role of Director of Development. As Mason takes on this position, it’s important to explore his background and vision of the goals he has for the organization’s future. Mason will be your go-to guy for fundraising, government relations, and storytelling for Union Capital’s mission and the community.
“A lot of my work has been nonprofit development, fundraising work. I’ve mostly done development and fundraising, government affairs, and communications and marketing. Pretty much, as it relates to external affairs, is what I’ve done for nonprofits,” said Mason.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mason is a passionate world traveler who has lived and worked in diverse locations around the globe. Notably, he has spent time in Ethiopia working with NGOs like WEEMA International, supporting schools for the blind in Rwanda, partnering with social-business enterprises in Thailand, and leading advocacy initiatives throughout the Global South. Those experiences taught him one big thing: nobody knows your own neighborhood better than you do. His experiences have shaped his strong belief in the power of travel to foster understanding and change.
Now based in Salem, Massachusetts, Mason has spent the last five years digging into Boston’s nonprofit scene. In his new role, he plans to focus on securing additional funding for UC by collaborating with grant writers, using his own experience as a grant writer to access this. He also aims to expand the impact of the UC app, aspiring to make it a nationally recognized resource for community engagement and empowerment.
Mason’s guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: Locally driven change can create global impact. With this mindset, he is dedicated to building stronger communities and driving UC’s mission forward.
“Everybody, all these people, know what is bothering them. My question is, what can everyone think up that will help alleviate these issues? It becomes a huge issue when outsiders come in and try to tell people what they need to fix or change,” said Mason.
Reflecting on his work in social change, Mason emphasizes the importance of acknowledging uncertainty, noting that a significant barrier to progress is people's reluctance to admit, "I don't know." He is deeply committed to empowering individuals to identify the root of their concerns and collaborate on solutions, believing that meaningful change must originate from within.
In the early days of his new role, Mason aims to get to know what pushes people to connect with Union Capital and the mission.
“I don’t like talking about myself, I like to hear other people’s stories and their world perspectives,” said Mason.
Fun fact: Phil started his career juggling shifts as a flight attendant by day and a grant writer by night during the 2006 recession.