A former editor of The Campus was honored on the “40 Under 40” list published annually by The Erie Reader, a free monthly publication serving the Erie area.
Olivia Burgess, ’21, was recognized for her work as the director of collective giving with the Erie Community Foundation, a nonprofit that supports various funds and grants for local organizations by acting as a bridge between the nonprofit and philanthropic communities.
Prior to her work with the ECF, Burgess worked as features editor for The Campus and in the Office of the President as an assistant. Her time studying English at Allegheny prepared her to meet challenging situations with creativity.
“One of the things that I realized as I was working my way through Allegheny surrounded by so many awesome community-minded people, and so much community-minded work that takes place on campus,” Burgess said, “was that if I didn’t know what work I wanted to do, I did at least want to do work that I believed in.”
Now, Burgess’ work with the ECF involves collaborating closely with nonprofits such as the Erie Women’s Fund, the LGBT Fund of The Erie Community and the Emerging Erie Fund. These organizations benefit from all donations, not just those from major donors, according to Burgess.
“It really can be the person who has $100 to give or $250 to give that year that they’re also willing to give their time and their energy that year,” she said. “And be really, really passionate about the cause that they’re coming together for.”
One way that the ECF has made a difference in the lives of many nonprofit organizations is through Erie Gives, a community-based fundraising event where individuals can support numerous causes for 24 hours. Checks and online gifts of $25 or less, made by thousands of community members, raised over $11 million during the 2024 event in August. Burgess is especially proud of this initiative as it speaks to the collective giving she works so hard to encourage.
“That’s truly transformational,” Burgess said. “It’s been a great exercise in learning about how much fun you can have when you’re working with people who are stepping up because they believe in making their community better.”
Burgess’ ability to connect with different audiences and communities in the philanthropy field is a skill she relates back to her time at The Campus. Being able to tell the story of different organizations in an effective way is a key competency she gained from The Campus.
“I still love a good red pen,” the former copy editor said. “But, on a serious note, I really do think being a good writer and an effective communicator, someone who can translate information from an interview to an article, and write a piece that’s interesting, that’s a kind of skill (that) has served me well. And it can serve anybody well in the professional world.”
Burgess, like many other college students, found herself anxious about her future career and long-term goals when she was a student. Her advice for herself, and for others, echoes her previous sentiment: Be open to whatever the future holds for you, even when it may deviate from what you originally intended. Burgess didn’t always see herself working in philanthropy, but she enjoys the difference she makes in the Erie community. She credits Allegheny with being the incubator that prepared her for any avenue she chose in her career.
“I would have laughed in college if you told me that I would be doing this work,” Burgess said. “I can’t imagine any more exciting way to be connected to the community where I live now.”