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As the CEO and President of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, I have the privilege of having a front row seat to witness our community’s generosity. One of the ways we mobilize generosity here at the Community Foundation is by facilitating the Corporate Giving Network. This group is a professional network of business associates…
We all desire to leave our mark on the world. At the Community Foundation, we have the unique privilege of helping donors become the author of their unique legacies. When people think of legacy planning, often they initially think in terms of assets that they will pass along to their children and grandchildren. However, when…
It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come in the past three years. Although I recognize that COVID is still with us and probably will be for years to come, I think that we are all learning how to adapt to the changes that the pandemic brought about. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned…
The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville helps donors be generous, however that looks to them. By helping donors leverage the strategic impact of their generosity, they are able to create lasting positive change in the lives of individuals and families in the Huntsville area. In June 2023, Jack and Jean Lee Family Trust granted $50,000…
It is no secret that generosity plays a critical role in improving quality of life in our community. In fact, generosity is core to all of our work at the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. From addressing various basic needs to investing in health and wellness to supporting a quality education system, generosity plays a…
Journeys in giving can start anywhere. At the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville our job is to guide donors on the path to philanthropy. We are honored to work with generous individuals and families who are not only thinking about their impact today, but the legacy they want to leave behind for their families and…
Hank Isenberg’s philanthropic journey is deeply rooted in the Biblical verse, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Having received immense blessings from the community he calls home, including medical care from the team at Huntsville Hospital during his heart surgery, he feels a strong responsibility to give back in kind. Hank’s charitable efforts…
I know that I’m not completely normal, and I’m okay with that. I love Mondays and mornings. I love making New Year’s resolutions and quarterly goals. I also love new school years . . . not just as a parent, but even as a kid. For me, each of these situations represents a new beginning.…
For Norm and Kathi, generosity is not just a one-time act; it’s a way of life. They firmly believe that giving back, whether through their time, talents, or treasures, is essential to creating positive change in the world. Their giving priorities have been shaped by their respective backgrounds, which laid the foundation for their lifelong…
Karen Stanley’s family has deep roots in the Huntsville community. Stanley Construction Company, which has received national, state, and local acclaim, has operated in North Alabama since 1961. Karen currently serves at the Vice-President of Finance and Marketing, and her father Thornton Stanley was awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration National Small Business Person of the Year…
Generosity is a catalyst for transforming communities and leaving behind a meaningful legacy. Jay and Hilde Dryden exemplify the power of generosity in creating a lasting legacy. The Dryden family understands that a true legacy encompasses more than just leaving money to their family. It involves leading by example, transferring values to those around them,…
Nancy Washington Vaughn and her family firmly believe in the power of generosity to createpositive change. Their current giving priority is to donate annually to the Racial Equity Fund. Bydoing so, they hope to support initiatives that address the systemic inequities based on race inareas such as education, economic opportunities, and healthcare. Through their giving,…
Suzanne Sullivan was deeply influenced by her parents’ example of generosity, particularlythrough their involvement in their church. Suzanne fondly remembers her parents’ unwaveringdedication to their church’s mission. They not only contributed financially but they also activelyparticipated in various initiatives and events. Their involvement served as a profound inspirationfor Suzanne, motivating her to carry on their…
Inspired by the belief that together we can do more, Kaitlynn Roark and her sister Amy launchedHuntsville’s first giving circle in 2017. Amy had learned about giving circles during herLeadership Greater Huntsville closing retreat in Louisville, and together the sisters, rooted in astrong family tradition of generosity, launched give256 with the hope of making a…
Driven by a genuine empathy for women and their struggles, Mary Grace Evans has chosen to donate to the Women’s Philanthropy Society, a giving initiative that aligns with her personal values and supports transformative programs for women and children. Mary Grace knows that empowering women, keeping them safe, and helping them to reach their full…
When my children were toddlers, my windowsills were often full of dandelions and clovers. As a parent, there’s nothing quite as special as the gifts your children give you. Each plucked blossom took some effort because they were so little, and they meant the world to me. I think of this often as a reminder…
G.W. Boon III has always had a strong desire to make a positive impact in his community. Asthe Board Secretary and Chair of the Community Impact Committee at the CommunityFoundation of Greater Huntsville, G.W. plays a pivotal role in shaping the foundation’s initiativesand programs to address the community’s most pressing needs. Motivated by his desire…
As I was growing up I witnessed members of my family giving their time and talents to causes that resonated with them. While I appreciated their efforts, the issues that were important to them did not speak to my heart in the same way. During my first job at the District Attorney’s office in Birmingham, I…
The generosity of those around us can serve as inspiration for our own lives. Much ofBrenda M. Martin’s perspective on giving is influenced by the love and companionshipof her late husband, W. Frank Martin. Their enduring relationship was a testament to thebelief that one person can be a gift for another. Brenda’s journey with Frank…
Sameer Singhal was witness to the beginning of CFD Research as it was launched by his parents Ashok and Sangeeta Singhal in 1987 in the basement of their Huntsville home. Now the company CEO and President, he and his brother originally made the first business sign for CFD Research Corporation using a dot matrix printer…
Mona Jeanne Boles Smith, a remarkable individual with a passion for education, the arts, and social justice, left behind a legacy of generosity upon her passing in August 2022. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1939, Mona’s life journey took her on a path of growth, understanding, and a deep commitment to making a positive…
Dr. James Gilbert, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.P., credits the instances of encouragement throughout his life with shaping his journey to who he has become today. He fondly recalls the teachers who believed in him, offering words of encouragement and envisioning a bright future. This belief in his future was instrumental in propelling him forward, ultimately guiding…
My family is grateful to live in a community where generosity thrives, giving us the ability to circle around and lean in with others to creatively and collectively team together to create a force to respond to needs around us. Our family is committed to strengthening the community in which we serve by contributing to…
Cynthia began her career in the aerospace and defense industry with Lockheed Martin in 1984. After a successful career with Lockheed Martin, she took the leap into the commercial industry joining Nokia Corporation in 1995. She led the America’s Region Logistics, Transportation Management and the U.S. Custom Compliance Team for 12 years during Nokia’s largest…
“We give actively now, so it only makes sense that we would take a few simple steps to do that with our estate. It was just so easy to make a brief addition to our will… and we directed our charitable gifts to be managed through the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. Now we know…
While The Spencer Companies was sold in 2021, their charitable legacy of this business lives on. In a time when environmental preservation is more crucial than ever, the Spencer Companies Charitable Fund has stepped forward to support the Land Trust of North Alabama in their efforts to protect and conserve the natural beauty of Huntsville…
The world lost a passionate advocate for educational equity and justice on January 26, 2021, when Dr. Andrew Howard Nichols passed away. Born on July 5, 1981, in Huntsville, Alabama, Andrew dedicated his life to fighting for the rights and opportunities of low-income and first-generation college students. To honor his remarkable legacy, his parents, Bob…
In the realm of philanthropy, the power of community foundations cannot be overstated. These organizations serve as catalysts for positive change, connecting passionate individuals with impactful causes in their local communities. The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville stands as a testament to this spirit, thanks to the visionary efforts of Joe and Pam Alexander, who…
In 2004, my family moved to Alabama from Arizona. While we lived in Arizona, we enjoyed traveling all around the state to enjoy some of our country’s most unique natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, and the Saguaro National Park. By recent count, my husband and I have been to the…
“My earliest memories of giving are from the pink offering envelopes that were ready to go every Sunday morning that I went to church with my dad. He never did anything with a huge flourish, always quietly, but I remember those envelopes being filled out before we left the house. He was very intentional about…
Avion Solutions – which was founded by Gary Donald and his partners over 30 years ago – has always had a corporate culture of generosity. Gary made it a priority to create a family-like, collaborative workplace; one where employees genuinely cared for and took care of one another. That spirit of generosity and collaboration naturally…
Hope does not stand on its own. Hope needs hands, hearts, minds, and funds. Hope needs all of that to grow legs in order to come alive. I want to see – and not just read about – what we are doing in the community. It is easier to help when you understand the needs, because…
“The love affair between people and their places is one of the strongest bonds that can exist,” writes Peter Kageyama, in his book For the Love of Cities. Here are three reasons why we all want a community that feels like home. It’s rarely just the big landmarks that cause someone to fall in love…
Nearly two hundred years ago, Alexis de Tocqueville recognized that one key distinctive of the United States of America was the willingness of its citizens to voluntarily come together to support one another. Today, we recognize this concept as “philanthropy,” which means literally “love of humanity,” or generosity in more modern terminology. In its simplest…
At the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, we believe that generosity has the power to change lives, change our community, and even change the future. That’s why our mission is to mobilize generosity to improve quality of life in our community. The Oxford English Dictionary defines mobilize as a verb meaning to bring (resources) into…
Our community is full of people and companies who enjoy giving back to the community we love. In the same way that we work with donors to accomplish their charitable giving objectives, we also work with companies to further their philanthropic goals. This collective effort is how we can improve our community’s quality of life.…
Your will has more power than you can imagine, and utilizing it for charitable giving is often easier than you may think. Sharon Doviet and Chris Russell share their motivation for creating a lasting impact on their community: “We give actively now, so it only makes sense that we would take a few simple steps…
At the Community Foundation, we help donors be generous, however that looks for them. As you begin your own generosity journey, it is important to reflect on what makes your generosity unique. Here are twelve questions to help you understand your generosity personality: As you answer these questions, you will begin to capture the character…
“Looking back on it, the clues were always there we just didn’t realize it. The twins hated doing homework, hated reading out loud to us, and when they wrote letters and numbers, they were always backwards. But each year, the teachers told us, “Don’t worry! Kids grow out of that.” And, as parents, we just always…
Guest Blog by Anya Harden, Philanthropy Intern As a Gen Z college student it often feels like I have all the time in the world. Classes, semesters, and club meetings all seem to last forever and with childhood in such recent memory, the pragmatic approach of planning for retirement and life post-career seems nonsensical, especially…
The reality is that anyone – no matter their income level – can make a planned gift. In fact, most planned gifts are made by donors of moderate means. You’ve been generous throughout your lifetime. By being intentional, you can continue that legacy of generosity after you are gone. If you are updating your full…
GUEST BLOG BY ANYA HARDEN, PHILANTHROPY INTERN As a child, my family made an annual pilgrimage from southern Mississippi to Huntsville, Alabama to attend camp meetings on the campus of Oakwood University, the institution that I now attend. During stretches of time in which the meeting failed to keep my siblings and I occupied, my…
At the Community Foundation, we believe that our community is strongest when we work together to solve our most pressing problems. Here are three ways why a connected community produces impact. The Community Foundation strives to be the trusted leader in strategic generosity, which is focused and collaborative by its very nature. We believe that…
We help donors be generous, however that looks to them Donors don’t come in just one shape or size, and so it’s no surprise that there isn’t one cookie-cutter generosity plan that works for all donors. At the Community Foundation, we help donors be generous, however that looks to them. We take a personalized view…
Remember that candy you may have loved as a child, those Now and Later taffies? My favorite flavor was green apple. The yellow banana flavored taffy . . . not so much. By its very name, I knew I could pop a Now and Later in my mouth and enjoy it right away, but I…
Our community’s nonprofit organizations are on the front lines serving our community each and every day. The work of over 1,500 nonprofit organizations in the Greater Huntsville area is a substantial factor in the quality of life we enjoy here, which is part of the reason Huntsville was recently named as the #1 best place to…
When like-minded people come together to invest in their community, great things can happen. Here are seven reasons why collective giving increases generosity in a community. Collective giving is indeed good for our community. It’s a simple but very practical way that we can work together to do more than any one individual, one company,…
When people think of legacy planning, often they initially think in terms of money and other assets that they will pass along to their children and grandchildren. However, when families reflect on what is most important to them, it’s typically not about the money. It’s about values. It’s about priorities. It’s about relationships. It’s about…
AAMU Carnagie Libary: History of Philanthropy Guest blog by Asia Thurmon, Philanthropy Intern Part of building equity and tearing down divides is to share history that elevates the attitudes of the majority population about worthy endeavors of the minority population, and how mobilizing generosity from the former can improve quality of life for the latter.…
Generosity is an investment in the future you want to see At the Community Foundation, we believe that generosity is simply an investment in the future you want to see. When you make a charitable donation, you are making a statement about the kind of world you want to live in and the changes you…
At our core, I believe that most of us want the same things. We all want to be able to provide for ourselves and our families. We want to live in safe neighborhoods. We want a place to belong. We want to do work that makes a difference. We want to build a better future…
Huntsville is a data-driven town . . . always has been and always will be. Therefore, it’s no surprise that donors in our area are interested in how data can help maximize their charitable giving. Here are five ways that savvy donors can use data to inform their philanthropy: If you want to understand our…
Seven Reasons Why DAFS Are Good For Nonprofits There is a lot of conversation about donor advised funds and whether they are “good” for society in general and the nonprofit sector more specifically. Here are seven reasons why donor advised funds are good for both donors and for the nonprofit community they support: Donor advised…
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means the season of giving is upon us. As you make plans for your 2021 charitable donations, here are three smart generosity strategies to discuss with your professional advisor. First, many of your favorite organizations may offer a matching gift challenge this time of the year. This is…
Although it’s had its ups and downs, the stock market is trading at record highs. That means many donors may have significant appreciated assets in their portfolio. If you are charitably inclined, this is a perfect opportunity to share the love . . . and your good fortune . . . with your favorite nonprofit…
by Melissa Thompson, CEO/President of Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville The love affair between people and their places is one of the strongest bonds that can exist. Peter Kageyama’s book For the Love of Cities explores this connection and why it matters. Here are five lessons I learned from reading this insightful book: People want…
A legacy of sharing is one of our multi-generational family goals. One way we live out our legacy of sharing is an annual family experience when each grandchild is given the opportunity to choose a non-profit or ministry about which he or she cares deeply and/or volunteers. Each grandchild writes a letter to the organization,…
Click the linked videos below for three giving strategies shared by CEO/President Melissa Thompson that maybe helpful for year-end planning. The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is a smart place to give.We believe that together we can accomplish more than any one individual, company, or organization can alone. The Community Foundation connects philanthropists with the…
By Wayne Olson What would it be like to live every day knowing you are a hero? Not just one day or a day every once in a while, but every day? What if you could live every day knowing that no matter what happened, you will have done something good? It’s easier than you think. You…
By Wayne Olson When people think about fundraising, they often turn to events such as balls, galas, walks or runs. While these get ample attention, they are not the primary source of much-needed funding for most nonprofits. The best, and by far the most productive support for churches and charities comes from planned giving. When…
Following the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, many taxpayers are enjoying a lower federal tax bill for 2018, but may face a reduced tax benefit from their charitable giving. This is due to several factors including lower marginal tax rates and an increased standard deduction of $24,000 for a married couple filing jointly. For…
Tax Reform: What You Need to Know Huntsville, AL – On May 2, 2018, Jared Sharp, CPA, Service Area Leader of Warren Averett’s Huntsville Office Tax Division, presented, “Tax Reform: What You Need to Know.” This event was sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville as part of the quarterly Philanthropic Advisors Network meetings.…
Huntsville, AL – Two years ago the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville created the Philanthropic Advisors Network (PAN) in order to grow generosity in our region by inspiring and supporting professional advisors to help clients create charitable giving plans that strengthen their families and communities. PAN members are advisors who are interested in expanding their…
Supporting organizations that impact and enrich Huntsville and Madison County gives donors a better sense of community. The Community Foundation helps each of us reach our philanthropic goals by connecting us with the many impactful organizations like FOR (Friends of Rescue), the Boys and Girls Club and the Community Catalyst Fund. Giving legacies come in…
There is a great sense of fulfillment that comes with knowing that when I had a chance to make a difference, I took that step. My philanthropic goals are centered on improving quality of life in our community and thus helping the families and companies that support Redstone Arsenal. The Community Foundation helped me to…
My siblings and I are proof of what education can do to propel a family forward. My learning experience shaped me and made education my lifelong passion. The Community Foundation allowed my husband Jack and me to quickly convert a property donation into a fund that allowed us to address both our personal financial and…
The Huntsville area provides a great quality of life, particularly for those dedicated to the arts and education. My husband John and I wanted to provide support in these areas through a planned gift through the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. The Community Foundation administers the process for nonprofit organizations to submit proposals for specific…
Our community is fortunate to have many great organizations that improve quality of life for today and for future generations. Before we created our donor advised fund with the Community Foundation, we donated to many nonprofits. Partnering with the Community Foundation helped us think more strategically about our philanthropic activities. In 2011 when Dynetics converted…
It is our moral and social responsibility to be active participants and supporters of our community. The Huntsville community has been great to my family and we are committed to giving back to others in need. We want to support Huntsville’s legacy as a community committed to education, science, exploration, research, discovery, arts, music and…
My inspiration for ‘giving back’ to the community comes from the many needs I see every day in and around the Greater Huntsville area. Seeing these needs in our community confirms my belief that each one of us is called to serve and to use our talents and resources for the benefit of others –…
A legacy of sharing is one of our multi-generational family goals. It began with Patty’s mother, a pioneer in public school financial management education. It’s rooted in our family’s agrarian cultural values that encourage going beyond tithing and sharing one’s home and harvest with others in need. When we married, the lifestyle of sharing naturally…
As 2015 comes to a close, you may be searching for a tax-advantaged way to support worthy causes within our community. Because gifts made through the Community Foundation can be tailored to address both your financial situation and your charitable goals, we can offer a wide range of solutions for year-end giving. It is surprisingly…