Christy Cole Promoted to Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer

“When my husband and I moved to Arlington 22 years ago, I thought this would be a stop on the way.” Christy Cole, who was recently promoted from Director of Philanthropy to Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer of Arlington Community Foundation (ACF), reflects on her early days in the area. “I thought we’d move further out in the suburbs, perhaps head back to the Baltimore area where I grew up. But then, much to my surprise, we began to take root.”

Long before Christy was involved with ACF, it was the sense of community in Arlington that began watering those new roots. “We met the most wonderful neighbors who have become life-long friends. We had children who strengthened our connection to other families through their schools, sports teams, and activities. And, perhaps most significantly, I got involved, professionally and as a volunteer, with local nonprofit organizations working to address some of the community’s challenges—homelessness and affordable housing, domestic violence, and the opportunity gap in education.”

From her earliest days in Arlington, Christy recognized that a true community isn’t defined by just your own roots being nourished, but by ensuring that everyone has that same opportunity to settle, to grow, and to thrive. Even today, after 22 years of calling Arlington home, and serving in full-time professional roles while being a beyond-full-time mother to three, Christy continues to serve in volunteer roles on the Board of Directors for Doorways and as the Emeritus Board Chair for Aspire! Afterschool Learning.

Over two decades of service, Christy has gained a perspective on Arlington (and its challenges) that should be motivating to anyone who lives and works here. “These challenges are not unique to Arlington,” she says, “but Arlington is uniquely positioned to respond to them. We have the financial and intellectual resources to harness, and it is part of our community’s ethos to respond with compassion and creativity.”

In her new role as Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Christy helps Arlingtonians respond with compassion and creativity every day. “For me, it is a dream job to have a professional role in stewarding Arlington’s spirit of generosity and to be able to help my neighbors identify and realize their personal goals for charitable impact in Arlington and beyond.”

For Christy, there’s no shortage of creativity that can be tapped into when it comes to helping someone achieve their charitable goals. “Whether it’s thinking through a gift of non-cash assets like stock, real estate, or retirement plan assets, or creating a plan for a legacy gift from their estate, it gives me great satisfaction to help people maximize impact and tax savings.”

While some may see ideas like “philanthropy” as being out-of-reach or reserved only for the wealthy, Christy grounds her role in compassion and accessibility. “Big financial institutions will offer philanthropic advising to ‘ultra high net worth clients,'” Christy explains, “but the Community Foundation is here to provide that service for anyone who wants to make a difference.”

Simply put, “I love connecting people to each other and to organizations and causes that matter to them.”

It’s a love that Jenn Owens, ACF President and CEO, sees Christy bringing to her new role. “Christy’s vision for the work of a community foundation is something that has to be felt as much as it can be learned,” Jenn says. “She brings to this role her deep love of Arlington and the diversity of people who make this community a great one.”

Over 20 years ago, Christy saw how great Arlington could be for her and her family. Since then, she’s spent countless hours working and volunteering to build an Arlington that is great for every family. We at the Community Foundation couldn’t be more grateful that Christy took root here, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what great things she does for Arlington and its community members in her new role.

You can learn a bit more about Christy and the rest of the Philanthropic Services team – and send Christy a congratulatory e-mail – by clicking here.