Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, a Camden-based nonprofit that aims to build character through outdoor experiences, has hired Joanna Benoit as the organization’s development director.
Benoit succeeds Rachel Loomis Lee.
In the role, Benoit will work with the executive director and board of directors to strengthen and expand philanthropic support, build donor relationships and lead the organization’s fundraising strategy to support its mission and scholarship initiatives.
In addition to overseeing fundraising initiatives, Benoit will focus on growing partnerships with foundations, corporations and individual donors, as well as helping to advance strategic priorities that expand access to Outward Bound experiences.
“I was drawn to Hurricane Island Outward Bound School because it reflects the values that have guided my career — public service, resilience and stewardship of ourselves, one another, and the natural world,” Benoit said.
“At a time when many people are seeking connection, purpose and resilience, the organization’s work feels more relevant and important than ever,” she added.
Benoit’s background
Benoit brings more than a decade of experience in development, grants management and mission-driven leadership.
Most recently, she served as grants, finance and administration manager at FocusMaine, where she helped guide fundraising strategy and financial oversight. Before that that, she served as grant project director and principal investigator with the Maine Office of Behavioral Health, where she managed a $17 million federal grant and led complex, multi-agency funding collaborations.
“Joanna brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to this work and a strong commitment to community,” said Eric Denny, executive director of Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. “She has a real ability to connect people to purpose and to build the kind of relationships that sustain this work over time.
Benoit has also worked in nonprofit program management, community partnerships and sustainable food and farm systems.
The Freeport resident serves as a councilor at-large and chair of the Freeport Town Council and is a recent graduate of Maine Development Foundation’s Leadership Maine program.
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School has annual revenue of around $5.5 million, according to the 2025 Mainebiz Giving Guide. Data were gathered from GuideStar by Candid as of July 28, 2025.
