Team
Tasha Lawson
Manager of Donor and External Communications
As Manager of Donor and External Communications, Tasha elevates uAspire’s brand reputation and advances individual giving by designing and executing comprehensive external communication strategies. Partnering closely with the Chief Development Officer, she develops integrated marketing and multi-channel fundraising campaigns spanning digital platforms, email, direct mail, annual appeals, and donor events. All to share uAspire’s story and demonstrate organizational impact.
Over the past 12 years, Tasha has worked across nonprofit development, communications, and digital strategy roles. Most recently, she served as Grant Development Manager at Treatment Alternatives for Stronger Communities (TASC), helping to secure funding for programs that connect people to substance use treatment and recovery support instead of legal system involvement. She has also worked with nature and equity-focused nonprofits, serving as Director of Organizational Impact for the Midwest Region at EcoWomanist Institute, working in donor communications at the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, and supporting development and external relations at Openlands. Earlier in her career, she held digital strategy roles at marketing agencies.
Tasha served as a national volunteer leader for Outdoor Afro in the Chicago region, helped plan National Black Birders Week 2023, produced and hosted podcasts with BirdNote, and volunteered for many years with Mission: USA, supporting individuals returning to the community after incarceration.
Tasha holds a Master of Music from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Music from DePaul University, where she studied French horn.
I wish I had known about uAspire when I was navigating college affordability myself. I came very close to leaving school mid-degree because of the cost, and I’ve seen family members miss out on opportunities for the same reason. It’s deeply meaningful to support an organization that enables students to pursue the education they aspire to.
Over the past 12 years, Tasha has worked across nonprofit development, communications, and digital strategy roles. Most recently, she served as Grant Development Manager at Treatment Alternatives for Stronger Communities (TASC), helping to secure funding for programs that connect people to substance use treatment and recovery support instead of legal system involvement. She has also worked with nature and equity-focused nonprofits, serving as Director of Organizational Impact for the Midwest Region at EcoWomanist Institute, working in donor communications at the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, and supporting development and external relations at Openlands. Earlier in her career, she held digital strategy roles at marketing agencies.
Tasha served as a national volunteer leader for Outdoor Afro in the Chicago region, helped plan National Black Birders Week 2023, produced and hosted podcasts with BirdNote, and volunteered for many years with Mission: USA, supporting individuals returning to the community after incarceration.
Tasha holds a Master of Music from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Music from DePaul University, where she studied French horn.