CoAction is proud to announce the appointment of Carl Kurek as its new Director of Development, a key leadership position dedicated to driving philanthropic growth, deepening community partnerships, and expanding the organization’s capacity to serve individuals and families throughout Northwest Indiana.
In this role, Kurek will lead the development and execution of a bold fundraising strategy designed to increase individual giving, secure major gifts and grants, and strengthen relationships with corporate and foundation partners. His leadership will be essential in helping CoAction meet the growing demand for services and scale its impact across the Region.
“As our organization continues to grow and evolve, this position is critical to helping us reach more people and deliver even greater impact,” said Brian, AVP at CoAction. “Carl brings not only the skills and experience we need, but a deep passion for building strong communities. He understands that every dollar raised translates into life-changing support for someone in need.”
At CoAction, Kurek will focus on growing sustainable funding streams that allow the organization to broaden its services from housing and energy assistance to aging and caregiver support, nutrition, and financial stability. He will also collaborate across departments to align fundraising efforts with CoAction’s strategic goals and amplify the organization’s visibility.
Kurek brings a diverse background in nonprofit development, communications, and community engagement. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Development at Lakeshore Public Media, where he led fundraising and business development efforts. He also previously worked as a managing editor for a local newspaper and on the marketing team at Lamar Advertising of Chicago, sharpening his expertise in storytelling and relationship building.
“CoAction’s mission is one I believe in wholeheartedly,” said Kurek. “This role is about more than fundraising—it's about helping create real, lasting change in our community. I’m honored to join an organization that’s committed to empowering people and meeting them where they are, and I’m excited to help CoAction serve even more individuals and families across Northwest Indiana.”
A lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana and a graduate of Purdue University Northwest with a degree in Communications, Kurek has spent over 20 years volunteering with a wide range of local nonprofit organizations. He currently serves on the boards of the Portage Township Education Foundation, the Portage Boys & Girls Club Resource Council, the Humane Society of Hobart, and PNW’s College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences.
With his vision and leadership, CoAction is excited to deepen its impact, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure that more people across the Northwest Indiana have access to the resources they need to thrive.
