Klamath Community Foundation Names First Executive Director
DATE: December, 2012
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — The Klamath Community Foundation has selected Heidi Neel Biggs as its first executive director. In announcing the selection, Debbie Vought, president of the Foundation’s board of directors, said “We are delighted that Heidi has accepted our appointment. Our search for an executive director was thorough and extensive. The board was both unanimous and enthusiastic in deciding that Heidi should lead the foundation in the years ahead.”
Biggs was raised in Klamath Falls and graduated from Mazama High School. She holds a bachelors degree in Communications from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctorate from the Willamette University College of Law. Prior to joining the foundation Biggs led a grass-roots public policy campaign in Washington DC working with think tanks, advocacy groups, the White House and Members of Congress.
Biggs said, “Growing up in Klamath I have a tremendous pride of place. It’s an exciting opportunity to work with an organization whose sole purpose is to benefit this area that we love so much. And with the foundation’s combination of dynamic individuals and strong values, I know we will quickly help enhance the charitable resources that are vital to the Basin.”
The Klamath Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people of the Klamath Basin. It enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the causes they care about—immediately or through their will or estate plan.
Other organizations already invested with the Klamath Community Foundation include: The Steve Brenn Fund, which benefits the SMART Reading program; the Jenson Family Fund, which benefits educational and youth programs; Citizens for Safe Schools, which provides funding for mentoring, positive youth development and violence prevention; The Animal Shelter Fund; and a Women’s and Children’s Fund among others.
Klamath Community Foundation board member Bob Kingzett said, “Strengthening nonprofits strengthens the Basin. In addition to serving as stewards of endowed funds, the Klamath Basin Community Foundation will work with nonprofit organizations to help them better meet their missions. The Klamath Community Foundation will provide basic technical assistance, workshops on budgeting, donor outreach and other best practices to help build the skills of nonprofit staff and boards.”
Klamath Community Foundation Seeks Executive Director
DATE: August 31, 2012
TO: LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS
CONTACT: DEBBIE VOUGHT, PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE KLAMATH BASIN. 541-331-0427
The Community Foundation of the Klamath Basin is seeking an Executive Director. The position will be open for applicants in the month of September and will be filled sometime in October.
According to Debbie Vought, President of the Community Foundation of the Klamath Basin, “we are looking for an energetic and gifted leader to work closely with the board of directors helping to build endowed funds for both non-profit organizations and charitable minded individuals. The director’s goal is to work with these individuals and groups in advancing philanthropic efforts in the Klamath Basin to improve the quality of life for its children, families and citizens.
“This will be our first staff person for the organization, and it’s a very important step for us,” said Vought. “Our Executive Director will help support our local non-profit organizations by providing expertise and resources to broaden and strengthen their service and program delivery,” she added.
The Executive Director position is a salaried position at $30,000 annually with very flexible scheduling. The important skill set for director candidates includes being a self-starter, having an entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to work with a broad group of stakeholders. “We need someone with great written and verbal communication skills and someone who can connect with the diverse kinds of people who call Klamath Basin home,” Vought stated.
Those interested in applying may visit www.KlamathBasinFoundation.org for more information.
2nd Annual Giving Event
DATE: September, 2012
The newly established Community Foundation of the Klamath Basin recently hosted its 2nd annual Giving Event and presented $6,500 to local charities. Pictured here are CFKB board members Debbie Vought and Joan Staunton along with CASA director Sandy Berger and CASA board member Kelly Kritzer. In honor of its 20th anniversary, Staunton presented CASA with a check for $500 from the Foundation’s “Women and Children’s Fund.” Disbursements were also make from the Foundation’s “Steve Brenn SMART Legacy Fund” which is permanently dedicated to honoring the late JELD-WEN vice president, the Jensen Fund, from which family of the late Phil Jensen give to their charity of choice and two board funds from which the CFKB donate to meet changing local charitable needs. SMART received $4,000, OIT men’s basketball received $1,000 for a new floor at Danny Miles Court and both the American Association of University Women and the Animal Shelter received $500.
In an effort to complement other respected giving sources in the area, the CFKB’s mission is to “serve Klamath Falls and the greater Klamath Basin by providing grants and designated funds to strengthen existing and potential new programs to enhance the quality of life for families and citizens in our region.”
To learn more about the many ways of establishing a fund, becoming a donor or scheduling a presentation call Rick Dillard at 541.884.4164 or write to CFKB; P.O. Box 1903; Klamath Falls, OR 97601
