Meet our New Vice President, Community Investment

On May 3, we look forward to welcoming Elaine Summerfield to our staff as our new Vice President, Community Investment. Elaine will provide strategic direction in our work to link resources to action in Forsyth County. She will lead our Community Investment department, a team of eight staff supporting nonprofits, students, and teachers through grantmaking and scholarship support.

“We are thrilled to have Elaine joining our team,” said Foundation President LaTida Smith. “Her extensive experience working in both foundations and nonprofits as well as her deep commitment to community building were a perfect match for this vital role.”

Elaine has over 20 years of experience working in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, most recently as Director of Philanthropy at Heritage Wealth Advisors, providing strategic philanthropic advice to clients. Previously, Elaine worked with the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond for 14 years serving in multiple roles including Program Officer, Vice President of Programs, and Executive Director of Richmond Opportunities Inc.

Elaine has also served in a variety of community leadership roles, including as co-founder of HandsOn Greater Richmond, Board Chair of Communities in Schools of Richmond, and as a 2020 candidate for Richmond City Council. Elaine was recently a radio talk show creator and host for Inspire InDeed on WRIR 97.3FM, interviewing local community changemakers to highlight issues and inform and inspire listeners to get involved.  

Most recently, Elaine served on the Jenkins Foundation Board of Directors, Community Impact Council of the United Way of Richmond, as well as the Advisory Boards for the Northside Family YMCA, Richmond Parks & Recreation, National Center for Family Philanthropy, and Virginia Funders Network.