Author: Joumana Altallal

Community Foundation Announces Inaugural Grantees of PB&J Fund

Charlottesville, Virginia, November 29, 2023 – The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipients of the inaugural PB&J Fund grants. These grants support local programs and initiatives empowering children and families through culinary and nutritional education, fostering food sovereignty, and enhancing access to healthful food for underserved communities.

The inaugural year of the PB&J Fund represents a significant step towards committee-recommended funding, underscoring the foundation’s dedication to inclusive and community-driven decision-making in shaping the role philanthropy plays in our region. The fund awards one-time, unrestricted grants of up to $25,000, to be used over one year, or multi-year, unrestricted awards up to two years ($50,000 total).

The 2023 PB&J Fund grant recipients are as follows: Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia; Child Health Partnership; Community Housing Partners; Creciendo Juntos; Cultivate Charlottesville; International Rescue Committee; Leaves & Fishes Food Pantry; Wartime Fitness Warriors. The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation is happy to support the necessary work of these organizations. 

“Our goal in transitioning to a grant making entity was to ensure that PB&J’s mission continued throughout the community – to make healthy and delicious food accessible to all community members. The organizations supported through this inaugural grant year are deeply rooted in communities and are carrying out this mission through their work,” said Alex Gross, chair of the PB&J Fund and former Executive Director. “The committee and I are excited to learn from these community partners as they begin to implement their programs and strategies and are grateful for their commitment to working towards a community centered in food sovereignty.”

Vivi Rogers Named Director of Finance

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (Community Foundation) is pleased to welcome Vivi Rogers, as our Director of Finance. Vivi will work closely with our finance team and play a key role in ensuring the foundation delivers on our mission to improve quality of life as a community-centered, equity-forward organization by maintaining strong financial health, sound fiscal stewardship, and organizational integrity and compliance. 

“Vivi’s leadership and management experience, her professional expertise, and her passion for the foundation’s mission make her an outstanding fit for this position,” Brennan Gould, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said. “We are thrilled to have her on our team.” 

Vivi most recently served as Director of Client Accounting at Forward Financial Intelligence. She previously served as Director of Finance & Operations for the Mind and Life Institute. Vivi brings more than 30 years of experience and expertise in finance and leadership in public accounting, non-profit and for-profit enterprises. 

“I have been interested in the work of the Community Foundation for many years and have now found myself seated at the table with talented and committed colleagues working to fulfill our mission with our community partners and donors.  I am eager to learn more and contribute to our equity forward organization.” 

Vivi holds a BS in Accounting from Indiana University Bloomington and has led finance and administration teams for several small businesses and nonprofits in Chicago, Santa Fe, and for the past 17 years in Charlottesville.   

Vivi enjoys the quiet that comes with being in the woods and finds joy in cycling the many hills of our region.  She always says yes to a coffee with a friend, and lately has been discovering the art of weaving.  

Joumana Altallal Named Senior Communications Manager

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (Community Foundation) is pleased to welcome Joumana Altallal as our Senior Communications Manager. Joumana will expand the visibility of the organization to meaningfully engage the region’s diverse audiences and work strategically to develop and maintain effective and innovative communications that reflect organizational values and goals.  

“We are excited Joumana has joined our team and will be sharing her expertise, passions, and lived experiences to advance the work of the Community Foundation,” Brennan Gould, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said.  

Joumana most recently worked as the Program Lead on the Trauma and Violent Conflict team for Beyond Conflict and brings extensive experience in project management, research, communications, and a strong passion for social impact and equity. 

“I am delighted to be embarking on this journey with the Community Foundation, where I will focus on building communications strategies that engage and center community voices, grow impact, and foster meaningful connections,” Joumana said. “I can’t wait to share the stories, successes, and partnerships that make the work of the Community Foundation possible.”    

Joumana holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from the University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program, where she received a fellowship to conduct qualitative research in Najaf for her thesis on gender-based violence following the American invasion of Iraq. 

Joumana is currently at work on her first book about her family’s journey coming to the U.S. from Iraq. She spends her free time rummaging around bookshops, visiting local art exhibits, and eating copious amounts of gelato.   

Terrel White Named Director of Advancement

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (Community Foundation) is pleased to welcome Terrel White as our Director of Advancement. Terrel will oversee strategic resource development, donor education, philanthropic services, and ensure that the advancement team is equipped to connect donors with impactful community initiatives. 

“We are delighted Terrel has joined our team and will be sharing his leadership experience, unique lived experiences, and strong dedication to helping improve lives throughout our communities and region,” said Brennan Gould, president and CEO of the Community Foundation.  

Terrel most recently served as Director of Advancement & Communications at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. He brings to the Community Foundation a wealth of experience in fund development and the field of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) consulting. 

“In being newer to this area and learning about the ecosystem, time and time again the Community Foundation came up as a responsive resource, dynamic partner, and innovative changemaker and I am so excited to be joining this team,” said Terrel. “I both know and care deeply about the power of philanthropy, authentic relationships, and equitable systems change; I look forward to advancing those things in my work at the Community Foundation and improving the quality of life in our region.” 

Terrel holds a BA from Wayne State University and obtained a Master of Social Work with a focus on Social Change, Innovation, and Policy Advocacy from the University of Southern California and a Master of Science in Administration: Non-Profit Administration and Fundraising from Central Michigan University.  He founded Werq Consulting, a premier consulting agency dedicated to bringing meaningful and sustainable change to clients across the United States. Terrel’s involvement in the fundraising and social impact sector has been recognized as a 2020-21 Policy Fellow with the Network for Social Work Management and a 2022 Association of Fundraising Professionals, Global – Outstanding Young Fundraising Professional. 

Terrel is an avid traveler with a goal to visit each state and every continent. Holding a deep appreciation of art and culture, Terrel also enjoys live performances, art galleries, and museums as staples in his adventures both locally and in his travels. An excellent home baker, his treats are an extension of his joy and creativity.  

The Community Foundation Announces Strategic Growth with New Team Openings in Data Management and Capacity Building

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more info on the foundation, contact Eboni Bugg, Director of Programs, at (434) 296-0045 or ebugg@cacfonline.org. If you have questions about the application process, please contact The Spark Mill at lindsey@thesparkmill.com as our contracted hiring support firm.

Charlottesville, VA, September 2023 – The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (Community Foundation) has recently expanded to fill two new positions and is now actively seeking exceptional candidates to join our growing team in the roles of Database & Technology Manager and Senior Capacity Building Manager. Hiring for these two positions will begin in October and continue into January. For more information, please click here.

This strategic expansion, coupled with continuous improvements in our grantmaking and data management, stems from more than three years of dedicated engagement and collaborative dialogue with our community. As a community-centered, equity-focused organization, our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by inequitable systems throughout our region, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can actively participate, contribute, and thrive.

“These upcoming hires, added to our dynamic team, will help us to more effectively execute on our mission,” said President & CEO Brennan Gould. “We are excited about our continued growth and look forward to incorporating our learnings over these past years and coupling them with engaging donor programming and more flexible, participatory grantmaking practices for maximum impact.”

These two new, crucial positions support other changes the Community Foundation is undertaking in response to lessons from the pandemic and our administration of the Heal Charlottesville Fund. We have launched our Community Advisory Committee to incorporate more voices and perspectives of those closest to the issues our region faces. In 2021, we distributed the largest grant in our history – and our first local impact investment – when we funded a regional partnership to provide affordable housing in the region. We are also currently in the process of launching two new discretionary grants.

To receive news and future updates, subscribe to our email list by visiting www.cacfonline.org/email-updates.