Bakehouse is pleased to announce the appointment of Eli Castro as our new Development Officer. Eli is a recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Creative Business Leadership M.A. program. Their studies culminated in an exhibit that explored the history of transportation in Tampa through historic photographs, revealing the burden of transportation-related development on historically black and brown communities. 

Their grandfather's passion for storytelling and love of the Cuban poet and revolutionary, José Martí, inspired Eli’s passion for literature and led them to pursue a Bachelor's in Poetry with a minor in Hispanic Marketing from Florida State University. In their time at FSU they received the Literati Poetry Award and George M. Harper Award for Outstanding Creative Writing and their works have been featured in publications such as Kudzu Review and Zoomoozophone Review.

Prior to coming to Bakehouse, Eli served as the Communications Coordinator and Program Manager for the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Center for Architecture and Design, Tampa Bay. In their five years there they developed the organization’s communications strategy, coordinated large-scale annual fundraisers, and curated compelling and culturally relevant exhibits for the gallery at the Center. Their grant writing and fundraising efforts were key in the restoration of the historic West Tampa building which currently serves as the headquarters for the organization.

Eli will be working closely with our Board and team to advance Bakehouse's fundraising goals and help build meaningful relationships with our donors and supporters. This position serves as a critical liaison to our government and foundation partners and individual donors. As such, Eli primarily is responsible for grant and donor management processes, including researching, preparing, writing, submitting, monitoring, tracking, and reporting existing and annual grants and identifying strategies for new funding opportunities. 

They also will provide project management leadership for our institutional development initiatives, including spearheading the annual fundraiser, Give Miami Day, and a number of smaller donor cultivation and stewardship events.

Inclined to make a donation to Bakehouse, now or in the future? Contact Eli at ecastro@bacfl.org.