FY24 Letter from the President

The people of Abilene know what it means to be a community. This is how I felt during my first year as the Foundation’s President/CEO in 2009.

Having celebrated 15 years in this role, I am certain that the work we accomplish here, thanks to generous donors, hardworking nonprofits, and selfless volunteers, is life’s work.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Whatever your life’s work is, do it well.”

Since moving to our downtown home in 2018, we have experienced extraordinary growth. Our assets have doubled, exceeding $200 million; we have increased our annual grantmaking, which totaled more than $19.6 million this past year; and this academic year, a record $1 million in scholarships were awarded to students.

In 1985 our founders created an organization that would help Abilene at the time and be flexible enough to grow and change throughout the years. Here we are at another significant moment for the Community Foundation of Abilene.

In 2020, we purchased the adjacent Cloud Printing building, envisioning its transformation into a dynamic nonprofit meeting center and additional office space for the Foundation.

Friends of the Foundation and our donors have brought this vision to life. Thank you to those who have supported and inspired gifts towards the project helping it become a reality and an investment in our long-term growth.

As the Foundation prepares for the future, we remain steadfast in connecting our donors to needs and opportunities, enabling us to continue realizing our vision of a thriving community.

This report shares stories about the life’s work of individuals, families, and organizations. We are grateful to each of you who trust the Foundation to build on your visions and dreams and to be a part of your life’s work.

— Katie Alford, CFA President/CEO