The Vermont Community Foundation has hired Elisabeth Marx as its Senior Philanthropic Advisor for southwestern Vermont. She was selected by a hiring committee made up of community leaders from the southwest region of the state. Before joining the Community Foundation, Marx served as Senior Director of Strategic Collaborations at United Way of Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin, where her role was to build the capacity of initiatives through program development, nonprofit capacity building, and major gifts and grants. Before that, Marx was the founding Executive Director of the Rauch Foundation, where she helped develop strong initiatives focused on children and youth, the environment, community development, and the arts. She has also served as a program officer at the Smith Richardson Foundation, working on national initiatives related to low-income and at-risk children and families.
Said Marx, “Philanthropy is one of our society’s most powerful tools for bringing people together, and the Vermont Community Foundation has been a leader in harnessing both the vision and resources of Vermonters to use that tool effectively. It is an honor to join this successful organization and grow its presence and role in Bennington County.” Community Foundation Vice President for Philanthropy Patrick Berry said, “Elisabeth truly understands the value of philanthropy, is experienced in building relationships, and has a tremendous passion and enthusiasm for our work. Her warmth, professionalism, collaborative approach, and her love of southwestern Vermont will make her an excellent addition to the team as we expand our services in the state.”
In the role, Marx will strengthen the philanthropic community in southwestern Vermont, working with prospective fundholders and their advisors, existing fundholders, nonprofits, Community Foundation members, and community leaders. She will also coalesce and work with a regional committee to develop, support, and administer a fund to benefit local communities. Marx earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in art and political science from the ADP program at Norwich University and her Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management and Policy Analysis from the New School for Social Research. She lives with her husband in Manchester and has two children.
Visit www.vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.
The Vermont Community Foundation is a family of hundreds of funds and foundations established by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. It provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make giving easy and effective. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs, mobilizing and connecting philanthropists to multiply their impact, and by keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital with grants and other investments in the community. Visit www.vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.