Matthew Kurtzman

Matthew Kurtzman is the Founder and Director of Development at Back 2 School America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing school supplies and educational tools to children in need across the United States.12

Professional Background

Kurtzman has over 25 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, special events coordination, and developing relationships with major corporations, community organizations, and individuals.1 He founded Back 2 School America and served as its Chief Executive Officer from September 2010 to July 2024, before transitioning to his current role as Founder and Director of Development in May 2024.1

Career Highlights

• Back 2 School America: Under Kurtzman's leadership, the organization has provided over 375,000 children from low-income families with more than 11 million school supplies.1

• Consulting: Kurtzman has worked as a consultant for various organizations, including Starbucks, where he developed the "Think Green" environmental program for the Chicago market.1

• Marketing and Events: He served as Marketing and Events Director for Equality Illinois, managing their 2006 fundraising gala, which achieved record-breaking revenues.1

• Advertising: Kurtzman was a partner at Kurtzman Slavin Communications for over a decade, where he served as a senior account executive and managing partner.1

Education and Early Career

Kurtzman graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications.1 During college, he chaired a walk-a-thon that raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society.2 After graduation, he briefly worked as a production coordinator for NBC's Saturday Night Live in New York City.2

Nonprofit Involvement

Throughout his career, Kurtzman has been involved with various nonprofits and community organizations, including Chicago House and Social Service Agency, The State Theatre, Howard Brown Health Center, and Chicago Lost and Found.2

Matthew Kurtzman's extensive experience in marketing, fundraising, and nonprofit management has been instrumental in the success of Back 2 School America and its mission to support educational opportunities for children in need.