Generosity is at the
       heart of our work

Our Mission

Together with our community and partners, we transform generosity into lasting change toward a prosperous and just Chattanooga where all can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Our Approach

Generosity is at the heart of our work. Across four key focus areas, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga works to address root causes, build lasting change, and support a community of donors who are committed to impact and change in our community.

  • Philanthropy

    We help grow a community of donors who are committed to transforming their generosity into lasting impact in the greater Chattanooga region. Through relationships and philanthropic support, we help our donors make a difference.
  • Impact

    We support and invest in diverse and collaborative partners and leaders, through developing and supporting their narratives, stories, and ideas, to realize lasting change that will disrupt intergenerational poverty, create opportunities for prosperity, advance racial equity, and decrease disparities in outcomes for communities of color.
  • Equity

    Equity is the lens through which we view and assess our own work. Equitable access to opportunity is at the heart of our vision of a Chattanooga where all residents have access to the resources and relationships they need to thrive regardless of their race, gender, identity, or the zip code where they were born.
  • Stewardship

    We are committed to being excellent stewards of community resources. That’s why we’re committed to operational excellence, maintaining a high-performing team, and meeting or exceeding market returns in order to ensure we can continue to affect change for generations to come.

Our Theory of Change

Lasting community impact happens when we work together. As a community foundation, we support and invest in strong leaders, anchors, stories, and ideas.

Strong Leaders

Community leaders are catalytic forces for systems change in our community. That’s why our strategy invests in the identification, development, and elevation of diverse community leaders as a key strategy for fostering opportunity and economic mobility in our city.

Strong Anchors

Our city is stronger with strong organizations leading the way for change. That’s why we will equip local institutions and organizations to be equity-focused, strategic, and systems-oriented.

Strong Stories

Stories have the power to advance or disrupt systems that perpetuate poverty, inequity, and injustice in our community. That’s why we will partner with our grantees to tell stories that help create a more equitable and just community.

Strong Ideas

Our biggest challenges have solutions right in our own community. That’s why we equip grassroots leaders, local officials, non-profits, and local businesses with the tools they need to advance the ideas that help Chattanooga become a more prosperous community for all.

For 60 years, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has been a force for good in our community by transforming generosity into lasting impact in service of a more prosperous and just city for all Chattanoogans.

A young student works at a desk.

Scholars

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, over 3,000 Chattanooga students have attended and graduated college.

View Scholarships
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Nonprofits

Our caring and inclusive grant cycle supports organizations serving our most vulnerable neighbors.

Learn More About Grants
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Donors

We help transform generosity into lasting change by creating tailored plans and meaningful giving experiences.

Consider Giving
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Professional Advisors

We partner with professional advisors to provide more value for their clients, provide highly tailored philanthropic experiences, and longer-lasting relationships.

Partner with us

Our People

The leadership and staff of the Foundation work hand-in-hand with our Board of Directors and our community to make Chattanooga a more prosperous and just city.

Maeghan Jones

Maeghan Jones

President and CEO (ext. 13)
Maeghan Jones

Maeghan Jones

President and CEO (ext. 13)

President and CEO (ext. 13)
Rebecca Underwood

Rebecca Underwood

VP, Finance and Administration (ext. 14)
Rebecca Underwood

Rebecca Underwood

VP, Finance and Administration (ext. 14)

VP, Finance and Administration (ext. 14)
Caroline von Kessler

Caroline von Kessler

VP, Philanthropy (ext. 32)
Caroline von Kessler

Caroline von Kessler

VP, Philanthropy (ext. 32)

VP, Philanthropy (ext. 32)
Quentin Lawrence

Quentin Lawrence

VP, Community Investment (ext. 47)
Quentin Lawrence

Quentin Lawrence

VP, Community Investment (ext. 47)

VP, Community Investment (ext. 47)
Dr. Stephanie Young

Dr. Stephanie Young

Director of Scholarships (ext. 11)
Dr. Stephanie Young

Dr. Stephanie Young

Director of Scholarships (ext. 11)

Director of Scholarships (ext. 11)
Robin Posey

Robin Posey

Senior Director, Philanthropic Research (ext. 15)
Robin Posey

Robin Posey

Senior Director, Philanthropic Research (ext. 15)

Senior Director, Philanthropic Research (ext. 15)
Keely Gilliland

Keely Gilliland

Chief of Staff (ext. 20)
Keely Gilliland

Keely Gilliland

Chief of Staff (ext. 20)

Chief of Staff (ext. 20)
Laura Howell

Laura Howell

Director of Donor Engagement (EXT. 22)
Laura Howell

Laura Howell

Director of Donor Engagement (EXT. 22)

Director of Donor Engagement (EXT. 22)
Chris Adams

Chris Adams

Donor Services Coordinator (ext. 31)
Chris Adams

Chris Adams

Donor Services Coordinator (ext. 31)

Donor Services Coordinator (ext. 31)
Joe Wood

Joe Wood

Executive Assistant (ext. 27)
Joe Wood

Joe Wood

Executive Assistant (ext. 27)

Executive Assistant (ext. 27)
Woodson Carpenter

Woodson Carpenter

Manager of Communications and Strategy (ext. 24)
Woodson Carpenter

Woodson Carpenter

Manager of Communications and Strategy (ext. 24)

Manager of Communications and Strategy (ext. 24)
Catherine Coker

Catherine Coker

Senior Accountant (ext. 23)
Catherine Coker

Catherine Coker

Senior Accountant (ext. 23)

Senior Accountant (ext. 23)
Lindsey Cross

Lindsey Cross

Philanthropy Associate (ext. 30)
Lindsey Cross

Lindsey Cross

Philanthropy Associate (ext. 30)

Philanthropy Associate (ext. 30)
Anthony Prince

Anthony Prince

Impact Assistant (ext. 19)
Anthony Prince

Anthony Prince

Impact Assistant (ext. 19)

Impact Assistant (ext. 19)
Candice Brock

Candice Brock

Finance Associate (ext. 42)
Candice Brock

Candice Brock

Finance Associate (ext. 42)

Finance Associate (ext. 42)
Emily Allen Murphy

Emily Allen Murphy

Director of People and Culture (ext. 33)
Emily Allen Murphy

Emily Allen Murphy

Director of People and Culture (ext. 33)

Director of People and Culture (ext. 33)
Taya Mayfield

Taya Mayfield

Receptionist and Administrative Assistant (ext. 10)
Taya Mayfield

Taya Mayfield

Receptionist and Administrative Assistant (ext. 10)

Receptionist and Administrative Assistant (ext. 10)
Jon Berestecky

Jon Berestecky

Manager of Community Investment (ext.44)
Jon Berestecky

Jon Berestecky

Manager of Community Investment (ext.44)

Manager of Community Investment (ext.44)

Board of Directors

Dr. Ruth Liu

Chair Elect

Chair Elect

Dallas Joseph

Chair

Chair

Cheryl Key

Vice Chair

Vice Chair

Lorie Runge

Vice Chair

Vice Chair

Skip Schwartz

Treasurer

Treasurer

Ansley Moses

Secretary

Secretary

Charlie Brock

Dr. Dave Bhattacharya

Ben Brown

Daniela Peterson

Gene Geiger

Andrea Hardaway

Dr. Le Andrea Ware

Chris McKee

Martha Leiper

Niti Tejani

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Finances & Stewardship

We are proud of our legacy of stewardship in our community. View CFGC's annual finances and investment performance.