Director of Development
For Matt Dymoke, food insecurity has been an issue of importance for a long time. He helped run food drives in high school, alongside supporting and volunteering at his local food shelf. Combining this long-held passion with his decade of experience in fundraising, applying for a position at PROP was a no-brainer. “I wanted to find a job closer to home with a meaningful impact in my community,” Matt explained. “I want to help lift up all of our neighbors and help provide them with the support they need in order to thrive.” Matt joined PROP in September 2023.
As Director of Development, Matt’s focus is on raising funds and awareness for PROP. To do this, he works closely with our individual donors, creates meaningful relationships with local faith communities and service clubs, and collaborates with local businesses and organizations. He also manages the process of applying for grants, which has resulted in an additional $400,000 to support PROP. “While each day looks a little different, it is all centered on bringing in financial and in-kind food support so PROP can continue doing the important work we have ahead of us,” Matt said.
In his time at PROP, Matt has made waves with his work, starting by deepening relationships with local businesses. For example, Matt initiated PROP’s partnership with Scheels — a local retailer — in fall 2023, which has resulted in the business donating over $35,000 to PROP this year. Additionally, Matt has also seen many business partners step up for the Summer Food For Kids program, bringing in nearly $50,000 more donations than last year. Without these strong relationships, this wouldn’t have been possible.
Furthermore, Matt works to share PROP’s story with its partners, and he emphasizes how that requires working with all facets of the PROP team. “[I share] the story of the work we do, the clients we serve, and the impact it has on the community, but I couldn’t do that without the incredible work of my colleagues and the vision they implement every day,” Matt expressed.
As PROP continues to stand as a staple of the community, its story grows with it. Matt is excited to see what that story will become. “Even through difficult times or changing funding landscapes or global pandemics, PROP has stood the test of time and I believe that’s because we’ve built such a strong base of support through our donors, volunteers, and community supporters,” Matt shared. “My hope is that we can continue to build upon our prior successes and continue finding creative ways to meet the needs of our community.”