“Each person there seems to have a big heart and a big goal. They’re not just there working; they’re there for a reason. They actually have goals they care about — that’s what I see when I think about the Community Foundation.”
— Fundholder Eva Lipman
Who We Are
At the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, everything we do centers around one purpose – improving our world through the power of philanthropy.
On a fundamental level, we do that through managing funds held in trust, donated by individuals, organizations and businesses. Most funds are donor-advised funds, similar to savings accounts. These funds are pooled for investment purposes and their income is used to make grants for a wide variety of charitable purposes.
But our goals expand far beyond managing funds. We desire to strengthen the communities we serve in Gwinnett, Northeast Georgia and beyond by providing leadership, addressing community needs and assisting individuals and organizations with their charitable giving.
Our History
The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia began operating as the Gwinnett Foundation, Inc. a nonprofit community foundation on March 25, 1985. It was founded by a group of community-minded citizens to receive and disburse charitable funds for an improved quality of life throughout Gwinnett County. After a capital campaign provided the initial seed money, the Community Foundation received a major boost in 1987, due to the efforts of the late Robert D. Fowler. Under his leadership, he and the other owners of the Gwinnett Daily News generously offered a $1 million challenge grant, which was matched by the community. These funds enabled a significant increase in grant awards and provided a solid base for future asset growth. The board of directors voted to change the name to the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia in March of 2002.
We are one of the few nonprofits founded in Gwinnett that is still here after 30 years. One of the main reasons for our longevity is the fact that we have always been community based. We know our community’s issues intimately and have developed close relationships through the years with the people who can help solve those issues – not just through their finances but also through volunteering, education and leadership skills.
Over the years, the Community Foundation has continued to grow – not only in terms of giving, but also through other areas. Our desire to innovate can be seen through our expanding education efforts and our focus on bringing key organizations and community leaders together to address issues such as early education, food insufficiency and more. We seek to strengthen not only our nonprofits but also our donors and the community at large. This desire has led us to create education partnerships with the Georgia Center of Nonprofits, the Southeast Council on Foundations and the J.W. Fanning Institute at UGA to bring the very best nonprofit educational opportunities to Gwinnett.
To date, the Community Foundation has granted out more than $80 million – impacting the arts, education, faith-based organizations, community service and health care. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Our Mission
The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia strengthens the communities we serve by providing leadership, addressing community needs and assisting
individuals and organizations
with their charitable giving.
Our Vision
Improve the world through the power of philanthropy.
Our Staff
Randy Redner, President & CEO
As President and CEO of the Community Foundation, Randy Redner is the driving force behind the work being done. Whether he’s sharing the work the Community Foundation is doing and encouraging people to open a fund or rolling up his sleeves to provide leadership around a specific community issue such as poverty, education, health care or the arts, Randy is dedicated to carrying out our mission.
Prior to joining the Community Foundation in 2015, Randy spent 20 years in the corporate world before transitioning to the nonprofit sector. In 2000, he became the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity North Fulton, leading that organization to national recognition. Then, in 2005, Randy had the opportunity to move to the American Cancer Society. While at ACS Randy was responsible for the largest Relay For Life event in the world, growing the Gwinnett Relay to over $2.5 million. These successes led Randy to be promoted to vice president for Georgia, overseeing all income, mission and advocacy outreach for ACS from 2010 to 2013. In 2013 Randy had the opportunity to move to The United Methodist Children’s Home to help rebuild their fundraising, marketing & communications and volunteer programs.
Today, as he leads the Community Foundation, Randy’s favorite part of his job is connecting people who care with causes that matter. Because, as he says, it’s all about the people!
Randy’s also heavily involved in other organizations and is on the board of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Gwinnett Coalition, United Way, Gwinnett Medical Foundation, GCPS Foundation and the Primerica Foundation. He’s also the president elect for Duluth Rotary and a study group leader for Leadership Gwinnett.
A Valdosta State University alumnus, Randy also has an MBA from Mercer University.
Randy and his wife LaNita have two grown children, Katie (married to Erik) and Kyle (married to Melissa), and recently welcomed their first grandchild.
Randy’s dream for the Community Foundation: “Being a leader in helping the communities we serve be wonderful places to raise a family.”
rredner@cfneg.org | 770.813.3384
Margaret Bugbee, Chief Financial Officer
As the Community Foundation’s CFO, Margaret ensures everything runs smoothly from a financial standpoint. She interacts with the donors, board and nonprofit partners on a regular basis – her favorite part of the job.
Before joining the Community Foundation’s staff in May 2013, Margaret spent 15 years doing part-time accounting work for the Community Foundation. Prior to that she worked in the banking industry; in public accounting for Moore Stephens Tiller and Westbrook, McGrath, Bridges, Orth & Bray; in government accounting performing foreign grantee oversight for the Centers for Disease Control; and worked in the nonprofit sector for the National Public Health Information Coalition.
Margaret has a bachelor’s degree in finance and is CPA. She is actively involved in the community and serves on the Scott Hudgens Family Foundation Advisory Board, the Gwinnett Medical Center Women’s Advisory Council, and the Gwinnett County Public Library Foundation Board.
She and her husband Robert have three children: Tyler, Suzanne and Jack. In her free time, Margaret enjoys tennis, reading, soccer and horseback riding.
Margaret’s dream for the Community Foundation: “I want to see us grow to $100 million in assets by 2020, and have the ability to make $1,000,000 in annual general grants to nonprofits in our region by 2025.”
mbugbee@cfneg.org | 770.813.3382
Karyl Kaye Miller, Executive Assistant
With 30 years of administrative experience, Karyl Kay Miller helps ensure the Community Foundation runs smoothly. She’s responsible for all admin/office support as well as coordinating special events and meetings, managing the database, and much more.
A graduate of DeKalb College, Karyl Kaye previously worked for the Council for Quality Growth, as well as other organizations, before coming to the Community Foundation in 2014.
Her favorite part of her job is working with Randy and Margaret to grow and develop the Community Foundation to reach even further in the region, sustaining communities so that individuals and families can prosper and thrive.
Outside of work, Karyl Kay loves spending time with her twin daughters Katie and Kristin and her pet Yorkie Chloe. She also enjoys reading, gardening, the great outdoors and is an avid sports fan.
Karyl Kaye’s dream for the Community Foundation: “To engage large corporate organizations to make monetary donations or provide in-kind service to expand and promote the Community Foundation’s mission.”
kmiller@cfneg.org | 770.813.3387
Board of Directors
At the Community Foundation, we’re governed by a board of directors as diverse as our community. Our officers and directors are chosen for their extensive knowledge of the community’s educational, cultural, civic and charitable needs. Directors serve on a volunteer basis and meet to discuss community issues, set policy, oversee investments and make final decisions on grants.
2018 OFFICERS
Chair:
Sandra Strickland, Community Leader
Vice Chair:
Tom Abernathy, Abernathy & Timberlake Investment Group
Treasurer:
K. Clifford Bray II, WBO CPA Group
Secretary:
Dick LoPresti, LoPresti Capital LLC
Directors
Ethel D. Andersen
Andersen, Tate & Carr, PC
Julie Keeton Arnold
Keeton Arnold Communications
Emily J. Brantley
State Court Judge
Doug Bridges
WBO CPA Group
Cheryl DeLuca-Johnson
Street Grace
Ron Garrard
Garrard Group
Mary Hester
LAN Systems
Barbara Howard
Suzanna’s Kitchen
Cole Hudgens
Hudgens Family Foundation
Jim Joedecke
Andersen, Tate & Carr
Daniel J. King
Community Leader
J. Michael Levengood
Law Office of J. Michael Levengood
William F. McCargo
BMAC & Associates
R. Brand Morgan
Brand Properties
Scott Phelan
Morgan Stanley
Andrew C. Pourchier
Rhodes, Young, Black & Duncan
Mariela Romero
Uivision Communications
Karen Fine Saltiel
Primerica
Tammy L. Shumate
Brand Mortgage
Adam C. Wilson
Sugarloaf Wealth Management
Professional Advisor Network
Since 1999, our professional advisors network has played a critical role in the Community Foundation’s endowment programs. Our network is comprised of attorneys, financial planners, bankers, CPAs and related professionals — all on a volunteer basis — who desire to help other professionals and their clients connect with the power of giving through the Community Foundation.
Professional Advisor Leadership Team
Adam C. Wilson
Sugarloaf Wealth Management
Amy Bray
Coulter & Sierra
Jim Joedecke
Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C
