Sandy Garza is the development and marketing director at Crittenton Centers, whose mission is to protect and nurture children and families. Its three core services include the Crisis Nursery (emergency and respite care for infants and children), Child Development Center (preschool and daycare), and Educational and Support Services. Among her accomplishments over the last four years, Garza led the organization’s largest fundraiser on record, worked with a major donor to pay off its mortgage, secured a significant donation of PSA advertising, conceived the idea of a scholarship fund for the Child Development Center, and raised the funds to support it—all during a very challenging time for the nonprofit sector.
Garza has been a member of the Junior League of Peoria since 2008, serving in a range of leadership roles and participating in marketing, recruitment, mentoring and new member training efforts. She currently sits on the governance board, serving her second year as director-at-large to help steer the League’s fight against food insecurity in the Peoria community. She has also served as vice president of membership and chaired the Frolic with the Fairies event, among other activities.
A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Garza sat on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Central Illinois Chapter as vice president of public relations and communications from 2015 through 2017, and this year she served as “Be the Cause” fundraiser. She has also served on the Professional Development Committee, helping to secure speakers and training opportunities.
Active at Great Oaks Community Church, Garza hosts a weekly group in her home and acts as a role model and mentor to other women. In 2009, she served as president of Active Community Entrepreneurs (ACE) when it received the Outstanding Organization Award for National Philanthropy Day. She was honored among 25 Women in Leadership in 2017 and is a past recipient of the Junior League of Peoria Community Impact Award. PM
