Professional Advisor Newsletter

October 2026

Giving That Starts With Listening

When people ask me what a community foundation does, I tell them we are a bridge. On one side are our fund advisors who care deeply about where they live and want their generosity to matter. On the other are the nonprofits, community leaders, and residents doing the daily work of making Chester County better. Our job is to connect the two in ways that build trust.

In my short tenure at the Chester County Community Foundation, I have come to believe  the most powerful thing a community foundation can do is listen first. Here are a few ways we can collaborate with the community through philanthropy:  make giving accessible to everyone, convene and connect, partner with fund advisors to give with purpose, continue to work with professional advisors to help them understand how we can be a resource for their clients.  Donor-advised funds and legacy gifts are powerful tools, and we can help donors align their passions with real, current community needs. A good conversation about what’s needed, and what has already worked, turns good intentions into lasting impact.

A community foundation is a steward of resources and relationships that belong to the community. When we listen well, share, and trust the people closest to the work, philanthropy becomes less about charity and more about shared ownership of our future.

Thank you for advocacy and support of the Chester County Community Foundation!

Yours in Philanthropy,

Chester County Community Foundation

Kate Wickersham, CFRE

President & Chief Executive Officer

kate@chescocf.org

Jason Arbacheski, CAP jason@chescocf.org

Click the links below to view the October 2026 articles

• Year-End Checklist
• Lifetime and Legacy Giving
• Costing Clients