The Faces of Our Community highlights the individuals that make up our work in West Tennessee. From donors and staff to fund representatives and people who receive assistance, the impact of our community's generosity is seen across the faces of our family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. This month, we are reflecting on our staff and their roles in our organization.
Keep reading to learn more about our team as we share their responsibilities and insight into how our mission is at the center of our daily tasks, weekly to-do lists, and monthly reports.
Kaycee serves as our Accounting Associate, assisting in financial operations of the organization and coordinating office functions. She is often the first person to greet you at the door when stopping by our office, and she is your go-to person for fund reports, disbursement questions, or a good, color-coded spreadsheet.
“I love walking into work every day and not knowing what to expect. We rarely have a dull moment around here for long and we always know how to make it fun despite trials we may face in the process.”
In her role, one of Kaycee’s primary responsibilities is accounts payable. From start to finish, she manages distributions for our funds, processing an average of more than 250 payments monthly.
Each week, she enters all disbursement requests for our internal expenses and ones submitted by fund representatives for donations to other charitable organizations, assistance to those in need, fundraising costs, supplies, and more. Kaycee then coordinates approvals by our leadership team and Board of Trustees before printing checks and completing purchasing card transactions.
One aspect of our organization that excites her is all the experience she has gained since she started working here in 2022.
“The Community Foundation is very much involved in many of the local activities around West Tennessee, and I love getting to be a part of that and getting to meet so many amazing people that make it happen.”
Gary is our newest addition to the team and serves as Chief Financial Officer. He works closely with Kaycee to oversee the financial health of our organization. His key responsibilities include preparing monthly financial statements, developing an annual budget, assisting with auditing procedures, and maintaining accurate financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, and other financial systems.
“Since starting with the Community Foundation, I have a deeper appreciation for how unique our organization is. We are not singularly focused and have the ability to improve the lives of so many people in West Tennessee through education, healthcare, cultural and social events, and a host of other ways.”
A component of his role involves presenting monthly financial and investment reports to the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees. These reports breakdown the organization’s accounting for the month and year-to-date, and by segments, like our internal operating fund, chapters, and different categories of funds.
In the presentation, he answers board questions, provides analysis on sections of the financials, and offers recommendations based on our operating budget. This includes sharing data about the investments and their performance.
Haylee is the Donor Services Associate and handles gift processing, manages the donor database, and assists in development activities. She also supports the Board of Trustees by sending important communications and organizing board meetings.
“My typical day is not just a 9-5 behind the desk job. Yes, there are administrative tasks, but there are also exciting opportunities to get involved in projects, like 100 Women Who Care and planning for our Charity Gala. Everyday is different, which keeps things interesting and enjoyable.”
Our donor database is a hub of our donation history, interactions with our constituents, and demographic information. These records play a critical role in daily operations and the goals of our donors, board members, funds, and staff. Haylee works to maintain accuracy in our records to keep us in touch with those serving our community.
Connecting with people goes beyond our day-to-day interactions, and Haylee focuses on this through our cultivation and stewardship actions, such as sending birthday cards and other mailings. Since July 2023, she has mailed over 85 greeting cards, 520 total mailings, and emailed over 130 birthday wishes.
“I love that our organization allows me to foster relationships with people in our community.”
As the Community Outreach Associate, Haley manages community relations, marketing, events, and special projects, coordinating programs like our Community Impact Grants and 100 Women Who Care. She plans content for our social media pages and blog and curates our monthly newsletter to keep our community updated on what’s new at the Community Foundation.
“Creating content is a vital part of sharing our story, and I love showcasing our work to the world. The stories we get to hear from our donors, funds, and partners are inspiring, and it is important that we promote the impact we are making together.”
One of the ways that Haley tries to think outside of the box about our content is by incorporating fun or silly photos and videos to boost our engagement. These moments not only help our community see a different side of our staff and board, but they allow us to utilize the extra attention to share tidbits and data about our work.
Whether she is curating our monthly newsletter or planning the next few months of social media posts, Haley keeps our brand in mind when crafting our messages with emphasis on the organization’s voice being supportive, passionate, and welcoming.
Beth is the Chief Operating Officer and manages the daily operations of the Community Foundation. She directs and supports the staff’s work and weekly tasks, overseeing development, human resources, and marketing. Keeping a pulse on the needs of the team, she provides guidance on solving problems and fielding questions from donors and fund representatives.
“We are in the relationship business, so I get to interact with donors, volunteers, community leaders, and support agencies every day. It allows me to see the diversity and uniqueness our community has to offer.”
Beth has been with the organization for 17 years and worked in several different roles before taking over operations. This background gives her the knowledge and experience to lead the team through its accomplishments and obstacles. From approving payroll and disbursement requests to brainstorming marketing ideas, she is always there to assist her staff and connect with the community.
“Our organization is involved in every area of our community from education to the arts and healthcare to animal welfare, and we touch the lives of people each day by supporting a variety of programs and initiatives.”
Frank is the President and has been with the Community Foundation since 1998. Like our organization, he has deep roots in the community and connects us with local nonprofits that are seeking funding, potential donors who have a passion for giving back, and individuals looking to get involved with our work.
“I get excited about how we are connected to every aspect of our diverse community. The Community Foundation serves, sustains, and empowers.”
Another way Frank interacts with our constituents is through meetings and events. He is out and about around West Tennessee to represent our organization and bring us to the table for important discussions about the needs and programs of our region.
When at the office, he is signing receipts for donations, talking to board members, or having fun with the staff. He is known to pop up with festive décor to celebrate the holidays throughout the year and is always down to participate in our content ideas.
Author:
Haley Fortune
Community Outreach Associate
Haley joined the Community Foundation team in October 2020. She manages community relations, events, marketing, and public relations for the organizations and coordinates special programs.
haley@cfwtn.org | (731) 984-2146
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