From growing up on a dairy farm to her first career as a TV reporter to spending the last 26 years at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Tammy Geenen has a heart for serving others. On July 30, Tammy, our Vice President of Community Engagement, will be transitioning to a new chapter in her career.

During her tenure with the Community Foundation, Tammy has left her mark through communications, understanding community needs, convening community leaders to better understand issues facing those living in the Fox Valley Region, and promoting the importance and impact of philanthropy throughout our service region.

“Tammy has worked tirelessly to support the role and importance of charitable giving to support the work of local nonprofit organizations in the Fox Valley region,” said Curt Detjen, President/CEO. “Under Tammy’s leadership, our Community Engagement team has raised up issues facing our community, brought people together to better understand these issues, and supported our local nonprofits who help meet the needs of our friends and neighbors throughout the Fox Valley.”

Through her community engagement work, Tammy has also been instrumental in supporting the growth of our Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (NPLI) – a program within the Community Foundation, two of our supporting organizations – Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region (WF) and Appleton Education Foundation (AEF), and our five affiliates – Brillion Area Family of Funds, Chilton Area Community Foundation, Clintonville Area Foundation, Shawano Area Community Foundation, and Waupaca Area Community Foundation.

“Tammy is a champion of nonprofit work,” said Hope Schaefer, Executive Director of NPLI. “While serving on the NPLI Steering Council for the last almost seven years she has supported and connected with countless nonprofits sharing resources with them, connecting them with potential partners, and convening groups to see how we can do the work better. Tammy’s work has helped to make our community and the nonprofits in it stronger, and she has left a mark on all of us at NPLI.”

Lending her expertise to our nonprofit organizations and her passion for connecting people, Tammy was a leader in the creation of the Fox Valley Data Exchange.

“With the start-up of the Fox Valley Data Exchange, Tammy was instrumental in taking the idea of a one-stop shop for local data needs and transforming it into reality. Her leadership, marketing, media, and connection skills were all put to use as a founder and board member in the October 2024 launch of the Fox Valley Data Exchange website,” said Jason Schulist, Executive Director of the Fox Valley Data Exchange. “I appreciate her perspectives and ideas as we continue to flourish as an organization. Without Tammy, we would not have this free community resource of local data to help our region make better decisions.”

Tammy’s foresight and leadership were also crucial in launching the COVID-19 Community Response Fund in partnership with United Way Fox Cities at the start of the pandemic. While many were still trying to make sense of the moment, Tammy quickly mobilized partners and coordinated local funders to ensure help could reach the most vulnerable people in our community. Launched on March 17, 2020, the Fund became a vital resource – ultimately awarding over $1.7 million in grants to 118 nonprofits providing food, shelter, healthcare, and financial assistance across the Fox Valley region.

“Tammy has a remarkable ability to center community, build trust, and bridge people and purpose. Her communication savvy and care for others helps shine a light on the resilience and compassion of our nonprofit partners and ensures donors see the difference they make,” shared the entire Community Engagement team. “We are so grateful for Tammy’s leadership, heart, and unwavering commitment to this place we call home.”

Building relationships and trust to gain a better understanding of the needs in the communities we serve has been important to Tammy throughout her career. During her time with the Community Foundation, she has helped grow the Foundation to more than $580 million in assets as of December 31, 2024, with a total philanthropic impact of more than $1.1 billion.

“We are all grateful for Tammy’s many contributions to our growth and success throughout the last 26 years,” said Curt. “She’s made a tremendous impact. We will miss her and wish her all the best as she turns a new page in her career.”

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To learn more about Tammy and her career with the Community Foundation, visit: Community Foundation for the Fox Valley RegionEngaging Perspectives: Helping the Fox Valley Flourish – Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region