Sarah James joined Rose Community Foundation in November 2024 as the Director of Donor Funds and Gift Planning. With over 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, Sarah has worked with a diverse range of organizations across arts, social services, and education, honing her skills in building meaningful connections with donors and aligning their philanthropic goals with the needs of their communities. As the Director of Donor Funds and Gift Planning, she leads the donor advised fund team to steward existing fundholders and legacy donors, working closely with individuals and families to guide them in making thoughtful, values-driven philanthropic decisions.

Most recently, Sarah served as the Associate Director of Annual Giving Signature Campaigns at the University of Denver, where she developed and led comprehensive campaigns that engaged donors in supporting the university’s mission. Prior to her work in higher education, she led the fundraising efforts at Art Students League of Denver, where she oversaw all development initiatives, and played a key role at Warren Village, managing and growing their individual giving and events program.

Sarah holds a BA in Communication Studies from Arizona State University and an MA in Communication Studies from Colorado State University. She is also a graduate from the Institute for Leaders in Development at the University of Denver. Outside of work, Sarah is an active volunteer and thrives in collaborative environments where she can be a resource for others and a strong advocate for causes she believes in. When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys traveling, hosting parties, attending live music, watching movies, and spending quality time with friends, family and her wife, Savanna.