November 17, 2025 Blog

Grounded in Community: Inspiring a Younger Generation of Volunteers

In our last blog post, we shared that the foundation’s work has been shifting from transactional to transformational. We’re deepening relationships with our community in ways that create lasting change. As I reflect on that evolution, I see the same transformation happening in how we engage volunteers.

It’s not that the act of volunteering has changed, but who and how we invite people into this work. Our committees and reviewers have always been vital to the foundation’s impact, but today their composition looks and feels different. We’ve been intentional about opening doors more widely and welcoming community members whose experience, professional perspectives, and creativity bring new energy to philanthropy.

For a long time, the face of philanthropic governance often reflected predominantly similar perspectives. While those who came before us helped build strong foundations, our sector is now recognizing the value of broader participation. At the Community Foundation, that shift has led to even more impactful outcomes.

If you were to join a committee meeting today, you’d see something powerful. Around the table are younger professionals, community leaders, and creatives whose careers and passions intersect with our mission in ways that keep the Valley at the heart of our work. Their voices reflect the evolution of our committees and board over time. An evolution grounded in the strong leadership and deep community commitment that have guided the foundation for years, enriched by new perspectives and lived experiences. Together, we’re redefining what it means to serve, and in doing so, shaping the future of the organization.

Take, for instance, Tara Brewster, one of our younger volunteers who works as Vice President for Business Development and Director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank. She’s not only an engaged director offering her own insights and knowledge, but she’s also a connector. Whether attending a Creative Commonwealth gathering hosted by Barr Foundation, our partner in supporting arts and culture, or stepping in to chair a committee meeting in the absence of its chair, or sharing our good work on social media, Tara is helping our community become more interconnected, seen, and supported, consistently and thoughtfully, with a brilliant smile and tons of heart.

Payton Shubrick is another example. As a young entrepreneur, the founder of 6 Brick’s Cannabis Dispensary recently opened a donor-advised fund with us. She’s using her business success as a tool for community reinvestment, inviting other entrepreneurs in her sector to do the same. But her support for the Community Foundation doesn’t stop there. Following her years volunteering as a scholarship reviewer, Payton began to serve as a director on the board. Her knowledge of and vision for the Valley has been bold, inclusive, and deeply rooted in the Valley’s economic potential, contributing meaningfully to our work over the last two years.

Both women represent what’s possible when we make space for new voices. They remind us that volunteerism is a form of shared leadership. And as more young professionals join our committees and board of directors, they bring with them a spirit of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration that strengthens everything we do.

Authors and Contributors:

Karin George
Board Chair