Laurel Dumont is a leader, teacher, lawyer, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist focused on social, economic, and racial justice. After practicing law at Essex-Newark Legal Services and the NJ Institute for Social Justice, Laurel started the Center for Collaborative Change to engage residents in government, nonprofit, and business decisions that impact their lives. She spent the next decade connecting people and resources to help communities thrive. 

Laurel has made an indelible impact in communities in her home state of New Jersey. She co-founded Newark Reentry Legal Services (ReLeSe), a first-of-its-kind pro bono legal services program that has served thousands of New Jersey residents seeking employment after incarceration. She worked closely with the Newark Police Department to improve community relations using national research and extensive community engagement. She also led a collective impact program centered around local schools that secured over $60M from local and national funders. The program created healthy hubs with increased fresh food and affordable housing options for residents. 

Before joining Intentional Philanthropy, Laurel supported new leaders across the country through coaching, leadership development, strategy consulting, and start-up funding by creating a Venture Fund & Fellowship and New Venture Accelerator program at Leadership for Educational Equity. Laurel holds a BA from Wesleyan University and a JD/MSW from University of Michigan.

Areas of Focus 

• Foundation purpose and priorities
• Grantmaking strategy
• Grantmaking tools and implementation plans
• Field research on issues, approaches, current landscape
• Coaching and technical assistance