Contact: Beth Krallis, VP Marketing, bethk@chescocf.org Karen Simmons, President/CEO, karen@chescocf.org
(610) 696-8211
West Chester, PA, January 29, 2026 — After a quarter of a century of visionary leadership and service, the Chester County Community Foundation announces that President/CEO Karen Simmons will retire this summer.
Since taking the helm in 2001, Simmons has played a pivotal role in shaping the Foundation into the vibrant, community-centered organization it is today. Under her guidance, the Community Foundation’s assets and grantmaking have grown significantly, while its commitment to community legacy giving, nonprofit capacity building, and strategic impact have deepened. Simmons has been instrumental in amplifying local legacy philanthropy and fostering a culture of giving that continues to transform lives.
“We are very grateful for Karen’s leadership. Her vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to our mission have guided the organization through significant growth and impact,” says Zeb Davenport Ed.D., Community Foundation Board Chair.
Incoming Board Chair Erik Gudmundson adds, “Karen has broadened the Community Foundation’s relationships in the community and strengthened the Foundation’s voice on the important challenges facing Chester County. She looks forward to a well-earned retirement after 46 years in the fields of arts administration, nonprofit management and community legacy philanthropy.”
During Simmons’ tenure, the Community Foundation has grown from 130 funds at $8 million to be entrusted with more than 335 funds at $141 million, with recent grantmaking averaging $6 million annually.
A key to the Foundation’s growth has been its ability to serve as a philanthropy resource to professional advisors, especially estate planning attorneys and CPAs, who work with clients to make legacy decisions. The Foundation works with philanthropic individuals and families on due diligence and smart giving discussions and orchestrates VIP Behind the Scenes site visit tours with donors and their advisors.
Simmons has also played a critical role in pivoting the Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking to nonprofit capacity building, to strengthen nonprofit governance, fundraising, and management infrastructure. This focus on operational core priorities has become especially crucial as nonprofits are coping with federal cutbacks, a rapidly shifting external environment and heavier demands for services.
The Community Foundation has a robust strategic plan with five primary goals: 1-bring people, institutions and resources together to understand and positively influence regional community issues; 2-deepen the passion for philanthropy by inspiring and engaging donors; 3-provide exceptional donor services and cultivate inspired legacy giving; 4-provide resources to strengthen nonprofit capacity, impact and sustainability; and 5-invest in internal institutional stability to steward charitable asset gifts for perpetuity.
Simmons will continue to advance these goals until her retirement, targeted for summer 2026. “The Community Foundation’s priority is to engage donors in legacy philanthropy, be outstanding stewards of gifts
entrusted to us, and positively expand the impact of philanthropy on our community. We all work together to create a thriving, vibrant, safe, healthy community: For Good. For All. Forever!” enthuses Simmons.
The Search Committee is co-chaired by Zebulun Davenport Ed.D., Chair of the Board & Erik Gudmundson, Chair Elect.
The Board is working with Kittleman & Associates, which has conducted searches for scores of community foundations across the nation, as well as private foundations and larger nonprofits. With offices in Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philly, it is fortuitous that the lead search consultant lives in Landenberg and understands Chester County’s dynamics well. The position description can be found at https://chescocf.org/ceo/. All inquiries and applications should be directed to Kittleman & Associates at https://kittlemansearch.com/chester-county-community-foundation-president-and-ceo.
About the Chester County Community Foundation
Headquartered in West Chester’s Lincoln Building, the Chester County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter so their legacy philanthropy makes a difference now and forever. The Community Foundation holds over $141 million in trust and annually awards $6.1+ million in grants and scholarships via more than 335 charitable legacy funds. To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit www.chescocf.org.