WV Philanthropy Leader Elected to National Board

Philanthropy West Virginia recognizes their past board chair and current board member, Susie Nelson, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley for a national appointment.

Recently Nelson, serving as Executive Director of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV), was elected to chair the Community Foundations National Standards Board.  The National Standards Board carries out and advances the National Standards for the U.S. Community Foundations® accreditation process by ensuring the integrity of the process and building the value of confirmation of compliance for the community foundation field and great community.

Nelson has led CFOV, the community foundation serving the northern panhandle communities of West Virginia and neighboring Ohio, for thirteen years.

“It is such a great honor to recognize this significant role of Susie’s leadership and West Virginia’s community foundations on the national stage.   The National Standards is a critical program and practice to ensure highest standards and operations for community foundations in our state and country,” says Paul D. Daugherty, president & CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia.

He adds, “Susie had done remarkable work at the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley by more than tripling its assets, building a great staff team, increasing community impact, and now being recognized for her accomplishments among her peers nationally.”

Nelson is the second West Virginian to chair the Community Foundations National Standards Board.  A previous chair was Judy Sjostedt, Executive Director of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates.

Philanthropy WV partners with the Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB) and Council on Foundations, which houses the CFNSB, annually to provide great legal and professional development for the 27 community foundations and affiliates based in the Mountain State.

Philanthropy West Virginia is the state’s leadership organization committed to its mission of strengthening philanthropy in the Mountain State. It represents a diverse membership of large to small foundations, companies, individual philanthropists, and other donors.  Philanthropy West Virginia delivers award-winning professional development, collaborations, networking, and policy advocacy for the board members, trustees, CEOs, staff, donors, and advisors of its member organizations to improve their effectiveness and strengthen giving.

For more information about Philanthropy West Virginia, visit: www.philanthropywv.org, call 304.517.1450, or follow on Facebook and Twitter @PhilanthropyWV.