Reps now hope for an even bigger local impact
The Community Foundation of Henderson hopes Monday’s announcement that the organization is now an “independent, locally governed foundation” with a brand-new executive director will serve to increase the support to nonprofits it has provided since 2011.
Maggie Collier, the new executive director who started July 13, said that the benefits of Monday’s announcement are two-fold. For one, people who want to donate and those nonprofits who want to receive donations now have a main contact to sit with and learn different options.
Collier believes that will only help more people donate and in turn allow more nonprofits to benefit. That’s significant because the local community foundation has given $3.2 million in its 15 years of existence, and if it turns out to be correct, then it could be an even bigger piece of funding for the many nonprofits in the Henderson community.
Second, Collier explained that since 2011 when the Community Foundation of Henderson was created by a Henderson Leadership Initiative group, it has remained as an organization under the umbrella of the already-established Community Foundation of West Kentucky, which is based in Paducah. Collier believes that has kept some donors at bay, possibly confused or nervous about where the money would be spent.
She said in 2011, the HLI group’s main attention was directed to getting a foundation established and off the ground, but the plan had always been to be an independent organization, Collier said.
“We’ve been ready,” she said. “The puzzle pieces have all come together.”
She went on to say that in the past 15 years all the donations that came to the Community Foundation of Henderson were used here in Henderson. But there still remained some trepidation that money donated would go to organizations elsewhere, she said.
Now, though, there will be no confusion as to exactly where the money will go, and Collier believes that will entice more people who would like to donate to help Henderson. She said the organizations charitable assets will be managed in Henderson at Stock yards Bank and Trust.
Collier’s part will be to coordinate with both donors and organizations that want to secure funding. She said donors can come to her to set up a fund through the community foundation, which may include designating to which nonprofits a donor wants his or her money to go.
Nonprofits will can apply for annual grants, much like other organizations such as other organizations provide yearly. To that end, Collier said the local community foundation has a current endowment of $5.5 million. She said the annual grant cycle will begin in 2027.
Collier sees the addition of the community foundation to the giving landscape as more of the rising tide lifts all boats philosophy.
“At the end of the day, we’re all working to build a better Henderson for everybody,” she said.
Local community foundation leadership say that Collier is the right person to take on the executive director role.
“As the foundation has grown into an independent organization, we recognized the need for dedicated leadership to strengthen relationships, increase community visibility, and expand our impact,” said Cyndee Burton, board president, in a release. “Maggie is the right person to help lead us into this exciting future.”
Collier brings nearly two decades of experience in marketing, communications, strategic partnerships, business development and community engagement, said the release. Throughout her career, she has helped organizations strengthen their brands, build meaningful relationships and create lasting community impact, the release said.
Collier said her professional experience includes working in Nashville with Dave Ramsey’s organization for four years and selling software to county governments. Upon returning to Henderson in 2015, Collier began working with Columbia Sports, where she helped build the employee store and did marketing for the store, she said. More recently, she worked with Field & Main bank in business development and marketing, she said.
According to the news release, Collier will oversee the foundation’s daily operations, donor services, fund development, community engagement and strategic initiatives while working closely with donors, nonprofit organizations, professional advisors, businesses and community leaders.
One of her main messages, she said, is for anyone who cares about Henderson and wants to make a difference, she’d love to have a conversation to find the best way to do that.
In a prepared statement included in the community foundation’s news release, Collier expanded on that.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as executive director of the Community Foundation of Henderson,” said Collier. “Henderson has always been home, and I’m passionate about helping connect people who care with causes that matter in the community they call home. Whether that’s supporting local nonprofits, honoring loved ones, or investing in Henderson’s future, the Foundation exists to help turn generosity into lasting impact. I’m honored to help lead this next chapter and look forward to building relationships throughout our community.”
The community foundation is also rebranding its logo, and it will hold a large community celebration some time in the fall, Collier said.
For more information, visit cfhenderson.org or follow the Community Foundation of Henderson on Facebook.
