Staff Directory
- Title:
- Director, Major Gifts
- Email:
- Phone:
- 412-315-8271
Matt Iannazzo joined the University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics in January 2022 as the Director of Development, Major Gifts. In his current role Matt will help identify, cultivate, secure, and steward major gift investments to Pitt Athletics and its nearly 750 student-athletes, marching band, and spirit squads.
During his tenure with Pitt Athletics, Matt has helped the Panther Club to unprecedented fundraising success in both total donors and dollars raised. During the 2021-2022 and 2022-23 fiscal years, the number of donors to Pitt Athletics surpassed 12,000 for the first time in Pitt history. During that same period, over $59M was contributed to Pitt Athletics. Matt was a large part of that success as he secured multiple seven-figure transformational gifts to help position Pitt Athletics for future success both on the field and in the classroom.
Prior to joining Pitt, Matt was a Major Gift Officer for the Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation in Pittsburgh. Matt’s focus was to cultivate, solicit, and secure major gifts in support of the clinical and research missions of both UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and Magee-Womens Research Institute. At Magee-Womens, Matt was a part of the team that raised $5.8MM in 2022 and $4.9MM through half of 2023.
Before his time at Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation, Matt worked for the University of Pittsburgh as an Associate Major Gifts Officer within the schools of Dental Medicine and Pharmacy. There, Matt worked to raise funds for scholarships, capital projects, and research at 2 world-renowned health science institutions at Pitt. Matt grew the total cash-in fundraising for each school by over 20% in fiscal year 2020 through both major gifts and significant donor growth.
The Norwalk, Connecticut native is no stranger to Pitt Athletics having been a Pitt student athlete on the baseball team from 2008-2012. While at Pitt, he was awarded the David Sandberg Champion Award, which is given to a senior Pitt student-athlete that has shown a dedication to academic and athletic excellence, with an unyielding spirit and passionate commitment to the improvement of the University of Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities. On the field, Matt was a three-time All-Big East pitcher and set the all-time Pitt career records for both Wins and Innings Pitched. After his time at Pitt, Matt signed as a Non-Drafted Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs and played professional baseball for 5 seasons. Currently, Matt works with the ACC Network and Pitt Studios as a color commentator for Pitt Baseball.
Matt lives in McCandless with his wife, Ashley, and his children JJ and Kate. Ashley is also a Pitt graduate, having graduated from Pitt’s School of Nursing.
Beyond the Bio
Favorite sports moment at Pitt?
Two come to mind. The first is Ron Ramon’s game winning three vs. West Virginia in 2008. I have never heard a building that loud! Second is the opening of Charles L. Cost Field at the Petersen Sports Complex- it was a new era for Pitt Baseball!
What do you love most about the University of Pittsburgh?
I love that Pitt is both a championship-caliber Athletic Department and a world-class academic and research institution. Pitt really has it all!
What Are Your Hobbies Outside of Work?
I love spending time with my family, staying active, and enjoying everything Pittsburgh has to offer.
Favorite quote?
“Be curious, not judgmental” – Ted Lasso
