Giving Better Blog

“From what we get, we can make a living;
what we give, however, makes a life.” – Arthur Ashe
 
As senior vice president of sales and new product innovation for the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Brenda Chumley (shown here with her two children) has seen her fair share of lives touched by philanthropy.
 
Brenda has held a number of roles at the Community Foundation since joining the team in 1993. The diversity of her positions (from the development team to the president’s office) allowed her to master the ins and outs of the business of charitable giving and helped her and her team maintain the Community Foundation’s reputation as one of the most entrepreneurial and innovative in the country.
 
Today Brenda is primarily responsible for developing new lines of business and attracting new donors who want to simplify and organize their charitable giving with a donor-advised fund. As the executive director of Greater Horizons (the Community Foundation’s non-regional brand), Brenda works with community foundations, private foundations, educational foundations and many other charitable entities across the country that contract with Greater Horizons for back-office services.
 
Brenda also works to help companies develop corporate social responsibility programs, and she oversees our popular Giving Card program. (Giving Cards are much like retail gift cards, except they are redeemed to benefit any 501(c)(3) organization in the United States.)
 
With so many “hats,” there’s hardly a dull moment in Brenda’s world. And who knows what the future might hold for Brenda and her team, as they work to find new ways to make charitable giving easy, fun, and rewarding for everyone.

Authored by: Leanne Breiby, Communications Manager

While our hometown baseball team isn’t exactly wowing crowds these days, last week in the Northland a group of heavy hitters hit a grand slam with nearly 400 civic and business leaders, community volunteers, and donors at the Northland Community Foundation’s 15th Annual Celebration Breakfast. The event, which is held each year to celebrate philanthropy in the Northland, is the signature event for the Northland Community Foundation, one of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation’s regional affiliates.
 
Emcee Dub Steincross kicked off the event (or, I suppose I should say, batted leadoff) with a rousing performance of “Casey at the Bat,” which readied the crowd for Board Chair Michael Short’s “pitches” for the Community Foundation’s philanthropic products and services, including donor-advised funds, giving circles and Giving Cards. Michael’s pitches weren’t meant to strike anyone out, of course, as he explained how the Community Foundation is here to help everyone give, whether it’s $25 or $25 million. 
 
Past and future Northland Community Foundation leaders came together as the event honored Virjean Burton, the founder of the Northland Community Foundation, and welcomed Louise Welborn as the new Executive Director.
 
Parkville residents Fred and Linda Mitchell were the deserving recipients of this year’s Pinnacle Award, which is given each year by the Northland Community Foundation to recognize and honor those who give charitably and best exemplify civic pride, leadership and neighborhood caring. Fred and Linda have been active members of Northland philanthropic endeavors for many years, most recently providing their time, passion and expertise to the Northland Childhood Hunger Initiative.
 
Finally, guests were inspired by keynote speaker James “Jim” Stevens, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Angel Flight Central, an organization dedicated to providing long-distance transportation at times of personal and community crisis. Jim told heart-wrenching stories of his experiences as a volunteer pilot, transporting children and families in times of need. One thing was clear – his organization, as well as the thousands of other nonprofit organizations in our region, wouldn’t be able to serve our communities' needs without support from donors and volunteers.
 
Northlanders left the Breakfast inspired and ready to “play ball,” charitably speaking.

Authored by: Leanne Breiby, Communications Manager