Cindy Mathew

Cindy has spent her career at the intersection of philanthropy, fundraising, and donor organizing, working to ensure that resources flow to the organizations best positioned to create change. Early in her career, she saw firsthand how large national and international NGOs often overlooked the power of local movements—especially those led by impacted communities. That disconnect, and the chronic underfunding of frontline organizations, fueled her passion for bridging the gap between philanthropy and grassroots power.

As Chief of Staff at Movement Voter Project (MVP), Cindy plays a pivotal role in shaping strategy, strengthening operations, and ensuring the organization is equipped to meet its ambitious goals. She leads cross-team collaboration, organizational planning, and internal alignment, working closely with MVP’s leadership and staff to drive efficiency, clarity, and impact. In the 2024 cycle, she also served as Interim Director of Development, leading MVP through its most successful fundraising year to date. Before joining MVP, Cindy was the founding staff member at One for Democracy, where as Director of Program and Partnerships she helped build a network of over 100 philanthropists who committed $70 million to organizations working on the 2020 election. Her career spans major NGOs, grassroots organizations, and independent consulting, giving her a broad perspective on philanthropy and movement-building.

Cindy lives in Illinois with her husband and young son. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, playing pickleball, and puzzling.