Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nancy Grayson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Nancy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

After many years of working in the nonprofit space and also serving on numerous local and statewide boards, I knew I wanted to take on a bigger role in helping to create a more thriving community in Northern Kentucky. In 2014, my family returned from a three-year period of living in the Boston area while my husband led the Institute of Politics at Harvard University. Upon our homecoming, I recognized the many diverse assets that Northern Kentucky had which were often not acknowledged. I was excited to help spark a sense of pride and forward momentum when we moved back home.

In 2017, I was approached to consider applying for the leadership role of a new organization in Northern Kentucky which had the potential to help achieve that forward momentum. After a thorough vetting, I was honored to be selected as the first President & CEO of Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky, a new community foundation formed to serve as the hub for charitable giving in the community.

Starting out with only a laptop, it was quite the challenge to bring the founders’ vision to life. A community foundation is a complex public charity that involves many legal and tax nuances, which added to the daunting task of rallying the community to give financially and support the young startup organization’s early efforts. The eyes of the community were on this new foundation as we worked to prove that together, we could work shoulder to shoulder to make meaningful change. Certainly, community foundations were not a new concept, as they have been in existence for well over 100 years. Launching a new community foundation was a big risk not only for our community, but also for me personally and professionally as a first-time CEO.

Fast forward seven years, which included a global pandemic, and it is incredible to note that we have raised $80 million from our community. More importantly, we have granted out $40 million to effect meaningful change. However, the part of this work I am most proud to acknowledge is that 60% of our donations are $100 or less. We are building a community foundation that is for all members of our community, not a select few.

Nancy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As President & CEO of Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky, I am responsible for implementing the vision and strategic direction of Horizon Community Funds, working collaboratively with other leaders to serve the community’s needs.

I am an attorney by training but at heart, I see myself as a catalyst for community good. I have had the pleasure of serving on numerous boards of organizations dedicated to improving education, promoting healthy family relationships, and preserving the natural resources and history of Kentucky. I am also currently a vocalist with Suits that Rock, a group of local business leaders who perform an annual benefit concert to support arts programming for local youth.

The tapestry of my professional and personal experiences provides me with deep roots in our local community and across our great Commonwealth of Kentucky. I seek to bring a collaborative approach to all that I do, as I know at my core that we can achieve so much more when we work together towards a common cause.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Whether in a professional or personal capacity, I strive to engage others in all that I do. From my experiences, I know that having a reliable network of invested partners, colleagues, and even friends can make a meaningful difference in success. As a female leader, I know that it is important to “lift as we climb”, so that we are helping other females to have the opportunity to increase their impact and role in making a difference. By being a trusted partner, or serving as a mentor, or helping to open the door for others, I work hard to be known as someone who is dedicated, collaborative, and sincere.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

For our newer community foundation, the ripple effect of trusted partners and donors has been instrumental in our growth. We aim to provide a high level of individual support and to ensure that partners and donors feel truly valued by our team and our board. Our current donors, professional advisors who partner with us (such as attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors), and nonprofit partners are all key to our continued success in our mission to raise the quality of life for all people in our Northern Kentucky community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.horizonfunds.org