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Susie Nelson
MCKENZIE STALNAKER
Susie Nelson’ s journey into philanthropy is shaped by her upbringing and early community service experiences. While her path may not follow traditional routes, her contributions have been remarkable.
Nelson’ s interest in philanthropy sparked during childhood. Her mother planted the seeds of compassion as Nelson and her sister participated in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, selecting gifts for families in need. Influenced further by her grandmother through various philanthropic activities, Nelson developed a strong understanding of the impact of kindness and community support.
Her professional commitment to philanthropy deepened as she joined several nonprofit boards, where she confronted the substantial challenges these organizations face. A pivotal moment occurred when one organization received a grant from the community foundation, igniting her interest in the field and showing her the potential for meaningful contributions to the community.
Today, Nelson serves as the executive director of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley( CFOV).
“ The community foundation has turned out to be the best move I’ ve made,” she says.“ It is incredibly rewarding to work with donors to achieve their charitable goals and watch that work in action to improve the region.”
Under her leadership, CFOV has undergone significant growth, expanding its assets from $ 24 million to more than $ 100 million. This change has reshaped her perspective on community philanthropy. Engaging with more than 300 individual funds, Nelson has witnessed the diverse motivations of CFOV’ s donors. She felt a sense of inspiration and awe regarding those who were no longer residents of the area but wanted to continue their support of their hometowns.
This experience has convinced Nelson that everyone can contribute to community philanthropy.
“ Personally, my perspective on community philanthropy has grown, as I now believe the sky is the limit and everyone can get involved,” she says.
Nelson participates in many clubs and organizations, including the Rotary Club of Wheeling, where she volunteers for projects like Adopt A Highway and Rise Against Hunger, witnessing firsthand the impact of philanthropy in action.
Photo by Carmen Heil.
Continuing her vision for broad community engagement, Nelson emphasizes strengthening support for women and girls through initiatives like the Women’ s Giving Circle( WGC). The WGC focuses on grant applications benefiting women and girls, such as supporting the Youth Services System’ s Transitional Living Program.
Additionally, the WGC funds initiatives like STEM education for girls. The SMART Center in downtown Wheeling hosts the GEMS— or Girls Enjoying Math and Science— camp, inspiring middle school girls. WGC members engage directly by volunteering and providing instruction, highlighting the importance of female representation in STEM.
Nelson has made a lasting impact on the communities she serves. Her efforts have not only facilitated substantial growth in the foundation’ s assets but also fostered a culture of giving. By advocating for initiatives that support women and girls, providing crucial resources for vulnerable youth and promoting STEM education, Nelson has contributed to a more equitable and empowered community.
Looking to the future, Nelson is excited about what’ s to come.
“ CFOV is about to launch our next strategic plan, which includes some very exciting initiatives, so the future will be full of new ideas and new ways to impact the region,” she says.“ My personal plan is to keep doing what we’ re doing well and improve what we can do better. I would say that the most impact on what we do for the community is yet to come.” •
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