Foley Foundation hires development chief to grow donor base

Salma Nabi (Courtesy photo)

WASHINGTON - The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation has announced the appointment of its first Director of Development, marking a pivotal step in the organization's growth and long-term sustainability. Following a months-long national search involving staff, advisers, and the Board of Directors, the Foundation recently welcomed Salma Nabi to this newly created role.

For more than a decade, the Foley Foundation has relied on the generosity of individual donors, grantors, and events such as the Foley Freedom Run, which is run in Rochester, N.H., where his parents live; and Foley Freedom Awards that have attracted major sponsors and thousands of participants annually. With Nabi's leadership, the Foundation is poised to expand its community of support and deepen its impact--ensuring every contribution advances our mission to advocate for American hostages and wrongful detainees and to promote journalist safety worldwide.

"With a full-time professional dedicated to engaging our donor community as partners in our mission and identifying new sources of support, we'll be able to direct even more resources to the victims we serve and the journalists we work to protect," said Executive Director Benjamin Gray. "There's growing recognition of the urgent need to end hostage diplomacy and safeguard courageous storytellers who risk everything to bring us the facts. Salma will help us connect with more people who want to be part of that change."

Ms. Nabi brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience, including serving as Chief of Staff to the President of a higher education nonprofit and holding senior roles at Teach For America. She and James Foley share a meaningful connection as former Teach For America corps members, an experience that shaped their early careers.

"I'm deeply honored to join the Foley Foundation and contribute to such a meaningful mission. I'm proud to lead efforts that build the resources and relationships fueling this urgent work--supporting hostage families, protecting journalists, and honoring James Foley's legacy through action," said Nabi.

ABOUT THE JAMES W. FOLEY LEGACY FOUNDATION

Conflict journalist James W. Foley was taken hostage by ISIS terrorists in 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war. His captors tortured and ultimately brutally murdered him in 2014. The Foley Foundation was established within weeks of his death. Inspired by James Foley's moral courage, the Foundation's mission is to advocate for American hostages and wrongful detainees held abroad and promote journalist safety.

For more information or to learn how you can make an impact, please visit jamesfoleyfoundation.org.