Holly reports directly to the Board of Directors and has the overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Foundation’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. Holly works closely to develop, maintain, and support her strong Board of Directors while supporting each of the affiliate boards including Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove, and Sunbury. She leads, coaches, and develops a high-performance management team to ensure effective systems and regularly evaluates program components as to measure successes that are then communicated to the proper stakeholders. She continues to deepen and refine all aspects of communications from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating stronger relations within the footprint area of the Foundation. In addition, she oversees grant making and investments, analyzes return on investments and represents the Foundation externally.
Holly is a Berwick resident and has served as an administrator for the Berwick Area School District where she just retired from a 30-year career in education. During this career, her philanthropic commitment was to serve on the Berwick Health & Wellness Board and then on the Community Giving Foundation Board. She has served the Foundation as the Vice Chairperson and Chairperson. Holly’s experience and passion will be her primary attributes as she focuses on her goal of expanding partnerships and providing leadership for the nonprofit sector.
Dr. Morrison holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education from King’s College. She has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Administration and one in Secondary Counseling from The University of Scranton. She received her Doctoral Degree in Education from Indiana University of PA/East Stroudsburg.
Al is responsible for the Foundation's Finance/Accounting Department, including processing, calculating, and allocating all transactions to the approximately 300 endowed and non-endowed funds. Once all transactions are recorded and reconciled, Al prepares various financial reports to distribute and review with fundholders and affiliate boards. Other responsibilities include: (1) developing and maintaining internal accounting controls to ensure that Foundation assets are adequately safeguarded, (2) annually working with the CEO to create the operating budget and monitoring its adherence to actual income and expenses, and (3) serving as the liaison to the Foundation's Audit & Finance Committee, investment managers, bankers, auditors, and insurance brokers.
Prior to joining the Foundation team in 2012, Al worked in several positions finance positions including internal auditor, controller, and public accounting manager. Al earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from LaSalle University in 1989, and attained his Certified Public Accountant certificate from the state in 1994.
Kara is responsible for developing and strengthening Foundation relationships and assuring donor stewardship across the region on behalf of the Community Giving Foundation and its affiliates, fundholders and community partners. In her role as Chief Advancement Officer, she helps donors establish funds to support their passions through community giving, both now and in perpetuity. Kara works together with the President and CEO and Communications and Events Associate to develop and implement strategies for all communications, including website content, social media, events and marketing materials. Her work encompasses the Foundation and its Affiliates (Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove, and Sunbury) and various other donor-advised, field of interest, agency and school district endowments, scholarship, designated, unrestricted and pass-through funds established at the Foundation. Kara carries out the Foundation’s values while working with all donors to personalize their charitable giving now and in the future.
Because the Foundation is invested in the philanthropic impact across the region, staff serve on many boards to engage with nonprofits and understand the current needs. Kara proudly serves on the following boards and committees: Foundation of the Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Susquehanna Valley (LSV), LSV Program Committee, Central Columbia Education Foundation, Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way Regional Equity Committee, SusQ-Cyber Charter School’s Improvement Plan Steering Committee, the Women’s Giving Circle Steering and Outreach and Education Committees of the Community Giving Foundation.
While earning her B.A. in Communication Studies from Bloomsburg University, Kara discovered her passion for nonprofit work and helping others through an internship with the Children’s Miracle Network. Early in her career, she worked in marketing and communications at Geisinger Health Plan and the Berwick Area Chamber of Commerce. Kara has held several positions at the Foundation since 2004, including communications officer and program officer. Kara resides in Mifflinville with her husband, Kirk, their sons Ky and Koy, and their two pups Kopper and Konnor.
Christine implements and facilitates the grantmaking, Youth in Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership Series, and scholarship programs of the Foundation. In addition, she works with the President and CEO and affiliate boards to oversee the competitive and strategic grantmaking process and collects all relevant information necessary for a thorough review of grant proposals and/or evaluation of existing programs. Her work encompasses the Foundation and its affiliates in Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove, and Sunbury, various scholarship funds and pass-through grants such as Nurse-Family Partnership and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
Prior to becoming program officer in 2015, Christine served in several different capacities at the Foundation bringing considerable expertise. Christine holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in management and a Master's of Business Administration degree from Bloomsburg University. Her previous experience includes working for the Berwick Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bloomsburg University Orientation Office.
Karri assists the Senior Program Officer in implementing and facilitating the grantmaking, Youth in Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership Series, and scholarship programs of the Foundation. In addition, she works with the President/CEO and affiliate boards to oversee the competitive and strategic grantmaking process and collects all relevant information necessary for a thorough review of grant proposals and/or evaluation of existing programs. Her work encompasses the Foundation and its affiliates in Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove, and Sunbury, varous scholarship funds and pass-through grants such as Nurse-Family Partnership and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
Karri joined the Foundation team late December 2015. Prior to becoming program associate in 2021, she was responsible for providing a wide range of administrative and office support for staff to faciliate the effective and efficient operation of the Foundation.
Previously, Karri has more than 16 years' experience providing social service and administrative support to Families Caring for Children, Inc. She then became the Daycare Director at the Berwick AREA YMCA where she impacted the lives of many children. Karri has been the Board Vice President for Beyond Violence, Inc. since 2002 and has been involved with the agency since 1999.
Katie coordinates and implements strategy for all communications, including website content, social media, leveraging events and public relations messages, and collateral/marketing materials to consistently articulate the Foundation's mission and work in the local community.
Prior to joining the staff in February 2019, Katie served as the Director of Development at Columbia County Christian School, and has previous professional experience working in nonprofit communication roles in the Philadelphia area. Katie holds a degree in Marketing from Eastern University. She lives in Bloomsburg and enjoys serving at the Orangeville Public Library and playing music with her band, Freedom Calls.
As the Operations Assistant, Eric works closely with the Foundation's Chief Advancement Officer and Chief Financial Officer to ensure efficiency by utilizing the Foundation's database software to its fullest capabilities. He also provides support to the devleopment and finance departments by processing incoming donations and organizing meetings and other tasks as needed.
Prior to joining the Foundation team in mid-2021, Eric served as a Conference Officer for the Columbia-Montour Domestic Relations Office. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bloomsburg University in both Political Science and Philosophy. Eric is a native of the Berwick/Nescopeck area and is dedicated to helping the community he calls home grow and improve every day.
Kim joined the Foundation team in October 2021. She is responsible for providing a wide range of administrative and office support for the Foundation President/CEO and staff to facilitate the effective and efficient operation of the organization.
Kim has lived in the Nescopeck/Berwick area most of her life. Prior to joining the Foundation team, she worked as a para-professional for many years before becoming a receptionist for the Berwick Area School District. Kim resides in Berwick with her husband (Ed), sons (Justin and Jarret), and her cats (Sassy and Swiffer).