My year at the CFA

This past year I had the opportunity to work at the Community Foundation of Abilene as a marketing and communications intern. I recently graduated from Abilene Christian University with a degree in communications and a concentration in corporate and nonprofit communications. As part of my degree, I had to work an internship to prepare me for my future career. I found the opportunity to intern at the Community Foundation of Abilene ("CFA") during my junior year. I waited impatiently until I could begin in the fall of my senior year. The internship experience was nothing short of amazing. I learned so much about marketing and communications, from email marketing to website design, thanks to my supervisor, Emerald Cassidy. Still, I have also learned and experienced so much about the Foundation and the tremendous impact it has on the Abilene community. 

The CFA is responsible for awarding grants and scholarships. Through the support of its wonderful donors, more than 16 million dollars was awarded last year. This funding impacts Abilene and its surrounding areas, offering resources to the people in those communities. Before working here, I did not realize how much the local nonprofits rely on the Foundation for their support. Not only does the Foundation support organizations through funding opportunities, but the CFA also has other resources like venue spaces where charitable organizations can reserve spaces for meetings and events at no charge. And the CFA's impact does not stop there. The Foundation also has wonderful tools and resources for the local community such as the Nonprofit Compass, CFA 101, Thrive ABI, Nonprofit Events Calendar, Abilene Gives, and more. 

The Foundation's team comprises some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet. Everyone on the team is passionate about the community and working hard to make it better. As an intern, sometimes finding your place in an organization can be hard, but not at the CFA. Everyone was kind and welcoming to me since I started the first day. I had so many learning opportunities and contributed to the work that the CFA does. It was such a rewarding experience. I loved coming to work every day and knowing that the small things I did in this office really mattered. 

I loved seeing the impact that the CFA has on Abilene and knowing that I had played a small part in it. 

— by Abby Kallas (CFA Intern 2023-2024)