Local fundraising executive Erin Payne has been appointed as the director of development for The Hill School of Wilmington, a nonprofit school serving students with dyslexia and/or ADHD.

Payne (pictured below) has served the Cape Fear community for over 30 years in nonprofit executive roles in education and literacy, affordable housing and historic preservation initiatives, according to a news release. She is a member of the Brooklyn Arts Music Academy board, WHQR Community Advisory Board and the Randall Library Community Advisory Board. She also volunteers with several local nonprofit organizations.

Hill School Director Susan Harrell announced Payne’s appointment to the school’s community recently, saying, “Erin Payne comes to us with a wealth of knowledge as well as strong community relationships. The Hill School is a small school now, but there is tremendous demand in southeastern N.C. for the exceptional learning environment we provide for students with learning differences. Erin comes to us with a deep understanding of the impact that quality education has on a community as a whole and she will be an important asset to the Hill School as we build capacity and grow to meet the demand for our services.”

At the Hill School, Payne will focus her fundraising efforts in three areas:

• Increasing accessibility to The Hill School through growth of its need-based scholarship program. Currently, 35% of the Hill School student population receives need-based financial support.
• Fostering the growth of the school
• Funding an expansion campaign. Currently, the school is at capacity for the 2024-25 school year and currently has a one-year waiting list for admission, but tutoring slots are available for the 2024 Fall Semester.