Caroline Von Kessler has joined the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga (CFGC) as the organization’s first vice president of Philanthropy.

Ms. Von Kessler, a Chattanoogan since 2001, brings nearly 20 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit administration to this role. Most recently, she was the director of Development for the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies and Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

As vice president of Philanthropy, Ms. Von Kessler will report to the foundation’s president and CEO, Maeghan Jones. She will focus on building relationships with individuals and families who wish to make a more meaningful impact through Donor-Advised Funds and other vehicles, as well as stewarding existing donor relationships.  

“This is a crucial new position for the Community Foundation and Caroline is the perfect person for it,” said Ms. Jones. “Her skills as a fundraiser and communicator are peerless, as is her understanding of the many ways that the Community Foundation and our nonprofit partners can drive sustainable impact.” 

“The role of the Community Foundation is evolving and our staff is evolving as well,” said Charlie Brock, chairman of the foundation's board of directors. “As Chattanooga works to emerge from the pandemic and chart a course for our future, it’s imperative that we have the resources to support an equitable, sustainable recovery. Caroline will make sure that we do.”

Ms. Von Kessler joins the foundation at a time of transition and remarkable growth. The Foundation now manages over $240 million in assets -- an increase of more than 100% in the last five years. The foundation’s board unanimously passed a new strategic plan at the beginning of 2021 which calls for addressing root causes, including an unprecedented investment in racial equity and economic mobility. The foundation took a crucial role in organizing the community-wide “Get Vaccinated, Chattanooga!” campaign and recently initiated a partnership with the City of Chattanooga and Legal Aid of East Tennessee to continue its successful Eviction Prevention Initiative to promote housing security throughout Hamilton County.

“I’m thrilled to be joining an organization that has done so much to make Chattanooga’s families stronger, healthier, and more secure,” said Ms. Von Kessler. “This city is known for its highly collaborative, philanthropic nature, and we’ve seen how essential the leadership of the Community Foundation has been in the last year and a half. As we look to the future, I’m eager to find new ways to involve more families in our work.”