The Vermont Community Foundation has announced that Martha Trombley Oakes has been hired as a senior philanthropic advisor.
Trombley Oakes currently serves as the Associate Dean of Institutional Advancement at Vermont Technical College. Prior to joining Vermont Tech, she was the president and CEO of the National Life Group Charitable Foundation and director of corporate and community relations for National Life Group. She also served in the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office under then-Secretary Deb Markowitz and in United States Congressman Thomas Allen’s Washington, DC Office.
"I've long admired the Community Foundation and its unwavering support of Vermonters and our communities,” says Trombley Oakes. “I am thrilled to join this great team and engage in such meaningful work.”
Vermont Community Foundation Vice President for Philanthropy Patrick Berry notes, “Martha possesses a rare combination of expertise in asset development and fundraising, experience leading a charitable foundation, and strong Vermont connections. She also brings tremendous enthusiasm to all of her work and a passion for the mission of the Community Foundation.”
Trombley Oakes will work with new and existing clients of the Community Foundation to establish charitable funds, advise their grantmaking, track progress on outcomes, and achieve greater results in their charitable work by partnering with other organizations and grantmakers. The Community Foundation regularly researches trends in philanthropy, identifies opportunities for giving, evaluates grantees, and provides reports on how charitable contributions have been used, as well as managing the back office details of its clients’ charitable giving.
Trombley Oakes earned her bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Southern Maine and her master’s degree in business administration from Norwich University. In 2008 she attended the Vermont Leadership Institute and in 2011 the Center for Creative Leadership. She lives in East Montpelier with her family.