Sarah Belnick

Senior Program Director Sarah Belnick oversees the Foundation’s initiatives aimed at driving systemic change in or through an area of the postsecondary ecosystem. These initiatives are focused on improving postsecondary degree attainment rates for all students, including those from underserved backgrounds.

Prior to joining ECMC Foundation, she worked with The Annenberg Foundation’s programs team where she managed, reviewed and approved grants as part of their community grantmaking department. Sarah worked at FUNDamental Philanthropy and Margery Tabankin & Associates, both boutique philanthropic consulting firms where she served as a program officer and managed family foundations’ philanthropic giving.

She brings experience in grants management, youth development, job training programs and re-entry initiatives through her work with nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C. Sarah is dedicated to national service and is a proud alumna of AmeriCorps.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Why are you working at ECMC Foundation and committed to working toward improving higher education for underserved learners?

My commitment to improving outcomes for underserved learners is rooted in the impact that education had on my parents’ lives and my own upbringing. As the daughter of a dedicated teacher, I was privileged to witness the transformative power of education firsthand. This unique perspective has instilled in me a deep-seated belief that education is not only a pathway to personal success, but also a powerful tool for uplifting communities and creating lasting change.