Carrie Summy was selected to serve as President and CEO effective August 1, 2025, after holding the position on an interim basis since April. A longtime River Forest resident, Summy has served in a variety of roles with the Foundation, most recently as director of external affairs.

The Foundation saw the incubation of its community leadership program, Leadership Lab, lead to its successful transition into an independent organization. The initiative’s mission to create a stronger, more engaged leadership pipeline to ensure that Oak Park, River Forest, and surrounding communities are desirable places to live and work, continues on as the Community Connections Leadership Program.

The Foundation released the Community Voices report, the culmination of two years of work by the board and staff, in collaboration with a range of organizations and community members, to determine key priority areas where the Foundation could make the greatest impact. The Foundation met with community members throughout the west Cook County region to learn more about the challenges they face and opportunities to help each other, and conducted in-depth data research and analysis to support the four key priority areas and solutions shared by the community members. 

The Foundation created the Rapid Response and Recovery Fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mobilizing more than $1.2 million in resources to agencies fighting to provide daily, ongoing support to our most vulnerable neighbors: those struggling with food insecurity, permanent housing, and health concerns. Read the impact report.

Four unique giving group funds were established: Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy, NextGen Leaders in Philanthropy and a new focus for both the Future Philanthropists Program and Women Leaders in Philanthropy, celebrating its 20th year. These giving groups provide philanthropic education and collective impact grantmaking for individuals with similar affinities.

Kristin Carlson Vogen named the first president and CEO of the Foundation, succeeding Sophia Lloyd. During her tenure, Vogen helped grow the assets of the Community Foundation and Kott Memorial Charitable Trust by a combined 16 percent, from $58 million to $69 million.

The Foundation further enhanced its programming for area social impact organizations through Impact Excellence, an ongoing series of seminars, conferences and training to build organizational capacity.

The Foundation became a trustee of the Russell and Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust. The Kott Memorial Charitable Trust honors Russell and Josephine Kott, and provides annual funding to support a range of charitable organizations improving the lives of individuals, with an emphasis on services for older adults. The Trust supports the Kott Gerontology Scholars Program, which trains and prepares interns in skills for a career focused on creating and delivering services to senior citizens.

The Future Philanthropists Program (FPP) was created to teach the next generation about philanthropy through hands-on experiences in grantmaking, fundraising, and community service during students’ junior and senior years of high school. Students who reside in Oak Park or River Forest and attend OPRF High District 200, Fenwick, Trinity, and other private schools are eligible to participate.

Sophia Lloyd named executive director of the Foundation. Her community engagement efforts for the foundation were essential in the creation of the Dominican University Community Leadership Program, the Future Philanthropist Program and Plan It Green, Oak Park and River Forest’s environmental sustainability plan.