About Us
Our Story
No-Shave November has been a tradition for many years, but in 2009 the Chicago-based Hill family decided to reinvent the activity to raise money for charity. This project held special meaning to the eight Hill children after their father, Matthew Hill, passed away from colon cancer in November 2007.
Participants of No-Shave November have always been willing to ditch their razors and, more recently, donate to cancer fighting foundations. From a few facebook followers willing to donate their hard-earned money to thousands of donors championing against cancer, No-Shave November has become a nationwide celebration. Every November for the past ten years, No-Shavers have donated the cost of grooming (from a few dollars on razors to $100 on a salon visit) and helped our organization raise over $10million to date. While this family run, web-based organization has grown exponentially since 2009, No-Shave November’s goal has not changed. We promise to keep raising money for cancer prevention, education, and research and to let that hair grow in the process! We want every participant to embrace their hair for the many cancer patients that lose theirs due to vigorous treatments. We believe that together, anything is possible, and we’ll get closer to eradicating cancer one whisker at a time!
Matthew Hill Foundation, Inc.
Matthew Hill Foundation was established in Emeryville, CA as a non-profit organization. The Foundation focuses on raising cancer awareness through unique fundraising efforts and partnering with like-minded organizations.
Meet our Team
No-Shave November is a web-based, non-profit organization devoted to growing cancer awareness and raising funds to support cancer prevention, research, and education.
Monica Hill
President & Chief Engagement Officer
Sara Svendsen
Executive Director
Brett Hartigan
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Monica Hill started as a volunteer with No-Shave November in 2010, sending out t-shirts and bracelets to eager donors. After her father-in-law, Matthew Hill, lost his battle with colorectal cancer in 2007, it pushed her to fight for a cancer free world. Today she serves as the President and Chief Engagement Officer of Matthew Hill Foundation, Inc. Under her leadership, MHF Inc has raised over $12 million for cancer research, advocacy, and prevention organizations. Monica has also overseen a multitude of MHF’s successful partnerships from American Eagle Outfitters, to Edible Arrangements, to McDonald’s. She believes a world without cancer is within our grasp and is constantly looking for ways to share MHF’s mission. In 2020, her mother passed away of lung cancer, reigniting her passion, once again, to save lives, one unshaven hair at a time.
Sara Svendsen serves as Executive Director for Matthew Hill Foundation, Inc. Sara has experience in virtual fundraising and campaigning, value-based marketing for nonprofits and for-profits, event planning, professional social media, and design. Previously, she worked as Project Manager of Marketing & Communications Initiatives at Education Research & Development Institute. Sara is a proud graduate of University of South Carolina – Columbia (go Gamecocks!) where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Business Administration. Sara went on to earn her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management (M.S.) from DePaul University in June 2020. Sara is passionate about equity and access in healthcare and education and is grateful to spearhead these important topics through No-Shave November’s work.
Brett Hartigan was brought on by the Matthew Hill Foundation (MHF) in 2021 to serve as the Communications Coordinator. With several No-Shave November campaigns now under his belt, Brett continues to utilize his background in writing to help keep all channels of communication open for staff, benefiting partners, and participants. As lead writer of the MHF newsletter, C.A.R.P.E. Diem, he breaks down complicated medical stories that cover the ever expanding spectrum of cancer and as a social media liaison, he interacts with our followers daily and helps further develop our hairy brand.