Raychelle Brooks
What I do: I serve as Director of Philanthropy for the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana, working alongside donors, families, parishes, and allied professionals to build permanent endowments and planned gifts that support the Catholic faith and its ministries across our diocese.
What I did: My background spans development, planned giving, and donor relations, along with years in higher education and consulting, with experience across both Montana and the Philippines. I’ve had the privilege of serving a range of mission-driven organizations, including faith-based and healthcare-related nonprofits, colleges and universities, and consulting engagements, where my work has consistently centered on building lasting relationships, cultivating planned and legacy gifts, and helping people and institutions advance the causes they care about most. In each of these roles, I’ve been drawn to the same purpose: walking alongside generous people and communities as they turn their resources and gifts into a lasting impact.
What The Fancy Stuff On My Wall Is: I hold two Master’s degrees from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, one in Sustainable Development Practice and another one in Political Economy. My undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, is from the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines, founded in 1611 and the holder of the oldest existing university charter in Asia. It’s a special source of pride to have been formed at one of the world’s great Catholic universities, and to now bring that foundation to my work here.
Favorite Place In Montana: Glacier National Park, without question. There’s something about standing among those mountains and glacial lakes that makes you feel both very small and deeply grateful, a good reminder of how magnificent God’s creation truly is.
About Faith and Work: I’ve always considered development work a ministry. Throughout my career, I’ve put my faith first, trusting that we are each called to do different things with the gifts we’ve been given. For me, helping people has always been a calling, not simply a profession. I consider myself deeply blessed to be able to work in this space, where my faith and my vocation meet in the same purpose.
My Favorite Part of My Job: Getting to know people and becoming a part of their journey. There is real joy in learning what moves someone’s heart, understanding the story behind their generosity, and walking with them as they give in ways that reflect their deepest values. Those relationships are the heart of this work, and they are a gift.
Fun Personal Fact: I love languages! I speak several, though I’ll happily admit I’m far from fluent in all of them, so please come ask me about it when you see me. There’s something about language that reminds me of faith: no matter the words we use or the tongue we speak, we’re all reaching toward the same things, connection, understanding, and love. And in that sense, faith is a language everyone shares.
