After a quarter of a century of visionary leadership and service, the Chester County Community Foundation (CCCF) has announced that President and CEO Karen Simmons will retire this summer.
Since taking the helm in 2001, Simmons has played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation into the vibrant, community-centered organization it is today. Under her guidance, the CCCF’s assets and grant-making have grown significantly, while its commitment to community legacy giving, nonprofit capacity building, and strategic impact has deepened. Simmons has been instrumental in amplifying local legacy philanthropy and fostering a culture of giving that continues to transform lives.
“We are very grateful for Karen’s leadership. Her vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to our mission have guided the organization through significant growth and impact,” said Zeb Davenport, Community Foundation Board Chair.
Incoming Board Chair Erik Gudmundson added, “Karen has broadened the Community Foundation’s relationships in the community and strengthened the Foundation’s voice on the important challenges facing Chester County. She looks forward to a well-earned retirement after 46 years in the fields of arts administration, nonprofit management, and community legacy philanthropy.”
During Simmons’ tenure, CCCF has grown from 130 funds at $8 million to be entrusted with more than 335 funds at $141 million, with recent grant-making averaging $6 million annually.
A key to the foundation’s growth has been its ability to serve as a philanthropy resource to professional advisors, especially estate planning attorneys and CPAs, who work with clients to make legacy decisions. The foundation works with philanthropic individuals and families on due diligence and smart giving discussions and orchestrates VIP Behind the Scenes site visit tours with donors and their advisors.
Simmons has also played a critical role in pivoting the foundation’s discretionary grant-making to nonprofit capacity building, to strengthen nonprofit governance, fundraising, and management infrastructure. This focus on operational core priorities has become especially crucial as nonprofits cope with federal cutbacks, a rapidly shifting external environment, and heavier demands for services.
CCCF has a robust strategic plan with five primary goals: bring people, institutions, and resources together to understand and positively influence regional community issues; deepen the passion for philanthropy by inspiring and engaging donors; provide exceptional donor services and cultivate inspired legacy giving; provide resources to strengthen nonprofit capacity, impact and sustainability; and invest in internal institutional stability to steward charitable asset gifts for perpetuity.
Simmons will continue to advance these goals until her retirement. “The Community Foundation’s priority is to engage donors in legacy philanthropy, be outstanding stewards of gifts entrusted to us, and positively expand the impact of philanthropy on our community. We all work together to create a thriving, vibrant, safe, healthy community: For Good. For All. Forever!” she said.
The Search Committee is co-chaired by Zebulun Davenport, Chair of the Board, and Erik Gudmundson, Chair Elect.
The Board is working with Kittleman & Associates, which has conducted searches for scores of community foundations across the nation, as well as private foundations and larger nonprofits.
The position description can be found at Chester County Community Foundation. All inquiries and applications should be directed to Kittleman & Associates.
