September 30, 2021
Earlier this month, the Community Foundation learned that our friend and colleague Margarethe Laurenzi will be leaving the Foundation to become the Executive Director of the Maher Charitable Foundation. While we are sad to see Margarethe go, we are enormously grateful for the impact she has achieved on our fundholders’ behalf.
In her time at the Community Foundation, most recently as Chief Philanthropic Officer, Margarethe drove new philanthropy and lasting reforms that have made New Jersey a better, stronger, healthier state. This included guiding our Board’s Leadership Committee as they made $2.2 million in grants to make a difference in the areas of immigration, juvenile justice, and food insecurity, among others.
Margarethe spearheaded the Community Foundation’s partnership with Women@NJPAC and the launch of the Gathering of Givers, an annual event that now catalyzes more than 300 women to engage in more meaningful philanthropy.
Margarethe was also instrumental in the creation and hosting of New Jersey’s four Impact 100 women’s giving circles, including serving on several committess for Impact100 Essex, which have made more than $3.5 million in high-impact grants up and down the state.
As these projects represent just a fraction of Margarethe’s contributions to New Jersey’s communities, we are enthusiastic about the ways she will give back in her new role.
Please join us in thanking Margarethe Laurenzi.