My Story
Eliza Vellines Phillips is an experienced philanthropy executive with more than 25 years of experience working with institutions, nonprofits and foundations. Following a successful fundraising career at the University of Virginia and Monticello, Eliza founded Phillips Philanthropy Advisors in 2007 to work with nonprofit and family foundation clients. Eliza’s consulting services include feasibility studies, comprehensive campaign planning, board development, strategic planning and leadership and fundraising coaching.
From 1999-2005, Eliza worked as Associate Director of Regional Development for the University of Virginia during the University’s Campaign for the University of Virginia, which raised more than $1.4b. In 2005, she was named Director of Leadership Gifts for the University’s $3b Knowledge is Power campaign. In this role, she worked closely with families as they made important philanthropic decisions that transformed University programs and facilities. Highlights from her career included securing a $20,000,000 gift for the University’s College of Arts and Sciences to help create the Center for Race, Religion and Democracy.
Eliza’s capital campaign clients have included Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (Monticello), the Episcopal Church in Delaware (Ring the Bell Campaign for the Ashford Center), and The Delaware Center for Horticulture. Highlights from past campaigns include two successful campaigns for the Southern Environmental Law Center (Charlottesville, VA), including a comprehensive $45m campaign and a $25m Anniversary Campaign and Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia’s Campaign for 10,000 Children which exceeded its campaign goal. She has also recently consulted with the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network and worked with the organization’s leadership to create the Southeast Sustainable Recovery Center.
Eliza has also completed campaign feasibility studies for the UVA Darden School of Business (2019), St. Michael’s School (2021), and Canine Partners for Life (2021).
Eliza is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Virginia with degrees in history and environmental science. She currently serves on the board of the University of Delaware’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship at the Lerner School of Business, the Yale Parents Leadership Council and the vestry of Christ Church Christiana Hundred.