Cori Stell (she/her)
Cori Stell is a social justice leader with over 25 years of nonprofit experience, nearly 20 of which have been at the ACLU of Northern California. She believes fundraising is a vital form of organizing—mobilizing resources of all kinds to power collective action and systemic change. Her approach is shaped by the principles of Community-Centric Fundraising, Edgar Villanueva’s Decolonizing Wealth, the transformative vision of Justice Funders, and a deep belief in radical empathy, compassion, and candor.
Cori serves as the Director of Development at the ACLU of Northern California, where she leads a dynamic development program that connects individual donors and funders with opportunities to advance civil rights and civil liberties. Under her leadership, the team has grown in capacity and vision, established a thriving major and leadership gifts program, and grounds its work in relationship-based and community-centric practices.
Prior to becoming Director, Cori served in other roles at ACLU NorCal, including individual giving officer, capital campaign director, and deputy director of development. She played a central role in the organization’s first capital campaign, which secured a permanent home for civil liberties in Northern California. Before joining ACLU NorCal, Cori held positions at advocacy and social service nonprofits, building a career rooted in equity, access, and justice.
Cori earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from Vassar College.
Outside of work, Cori enjoys playing with her family and friends, taking long walks with her dog, or getting lost in a book. She also is a committed parent advocate focused on issues of inclusion, literacy, and communication for students with complex support needs.
