2026 NGCF Board Handbook

BOARD HANDBOOK

2026

WELCOME

Michelle R. Prater PRESIDENT & CEO

Thank you for your service on the 2026 North Georgia Community Foundation Board of Trustees. We are deeply grateful for the time, talent, and leadership you share in support of our communities. Service on the Board reflects a shared commitment to philanthropy, collaboration, and community impact, and our team is honored President & CEO to serve alongside you.

This handbook is designed to be a helpful resource throughout the year — a quick way to put a face to a name, connect with each other, and revisit the mission, values, and work of NGCF. In 2025, I had the privilege of celebrating my 10th year with NGCF. As I reflect on the past decade, I am continually amazed by the impact we have made together. None of this work happens alone, and the collective leadership of this Board has helped shape a stronger, more generous North Georgia.

I look forward to what is ahead and all that we will continue to accomplish together. Thank you for your commitment to NGCF and to the communities we serve.

For Good. For Ever.

Michelle R. Prater

WHO WE ARE

MISSION The North Georgia Community Foundation helps people and nonprofits invest generously in the lives of all those who call our community home.

VISION North Georgia: A caring community where giving is a way of life.

ESSENCE Invested in North Georgia.

At The Core of Our Work:

Since 1985

Stewardship

$185M+

awarded in grants and scholarships

BY THE NUMBERS

615+

charitable funds stewarded

$

186.1

MILLION in assets under management

* Through December 31, 2025

EOY 2025

NGCF BOARD OF TRUSTEES The NGCF Board of Trustees is comprised of community leaders from across the North Georgia region who provide strategic and fiduciary oversight of the Foundation.

Board members are appointed upon recommendation of the NGCF Governance Committee and serve three-year terms, with eligibility for one additional term.

Officers of the Board

2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Don Grimsley

HALL/ HABERSHAM

2026-2027 CHAIR President Grimsley Enterprises, Inc.

donagrimsley@gmail.com

(706) 968-9000

Kristi Griffin

CHAIR ELECT CPA, Managing Partner Bates Carter

HALL

kgriffin@batescarter.com

(770) 532-9131

Chad Black

SECRETARY Director-Governmental Affairs Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service

(770) 530-4365

HALL

(770) 530-4365 Chadblack11@gmail.com

Rachel Marshall TREASURER CFO Citizens Bank of Georgia

(678) 427-6907

FORSYTH

rachelm@citizbank.com

2026 NGCF BOARD MEMBERS Andy Bangs

Managing Partner Wilson Lewis

HALL

(770) 654-8433 ( C ) abangs5601@gmail.com

Scott B. Barloga Attorney At Law

HALL

(678) 971-4255 ( W ) sbarloga@barlogalaw.com

Martha Best-Spence

CEPA, Sr. Financial Advisor Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

(470) 846-6842 ( C )

HALL/ JACKSON

martha.spence@ml.com

Jeff Cohen Consultant

RABUN

(404) 307-2200 ( C ) jeffro.cohen@gmail.com

Carole Ann Daniel

VP, Business Development Carroll Daniel Construction

HALL

(770) 519-6873 ( C ) cadaniel@carrolldaniel.com

Brook A. Davidson

Managing Partner Stewart, Melvin & Frost, LLP

HALL

(770) 540-0602 ( C ) bdavidson@smf-law.com

Ashley Davis

Owner/Chief Operations Officer Lawson AC & Plumbing, Inc.

HALL

(678) 936-5288 ( C ) ADavis@LawsonAC.com

Cindy Green Co-Owner Cotton Calf

GWINNETT

(302) 897-2423 ( C ) cindygreen1979@gmail.com

2026 NGCF BOARD MEMBERS Lynn Jackson

FORSYTH

CEO & VP of Administration Northside Hospital Forsyth

(678) 776-7865

(C)

lynn.jackson@northside.com

Thomas R. Johnston

Sr. Vice President, CFP Johnston Turner Group | Morgan Stanley

HALL

(770) 539-2422 ( C )

Thomas.Johnston@morganstanley.com

Christina Jones

Partner, CFP, Wealth Manager Windsor Wealth Planners & Strategists

HALL

(678) 971-1337 ( W )

Christina.Jones@windsorwealth.management

James McCoy

Executive Search Consultant The Chason Group

FORSYTH

(770) 842-4774

(C)

tjamesmccoy@gmail.com

Mary Helen McGruder

Chairman Forsyth County Community Foundation

FORSYTH

(678) 936-0308 ( C ) maryhelen1@aol.com

Steven Mickens

Chief Executive Officer Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier

(678) 863-6975 ( C )

FORSYTH HABERSHAM & HALL

smickens@bgclanier.org

Kelly Anne Miles

Partner/President Smith, Gilliam, Williams & Miles, P.A.

HALL

(770) 540-8245 ( C ) kmiles@sgwmfirm.com

Tate O’Rouke

Sr. Business Development Manager Jackson EMC

HALL

(470) 208-0571 ( C ) torouke@jacksonemc.com

2026 NGCF BOARD MEMBERS Jay Parrish

Police Chief City of Gainesville

HALL

(770) 718-6120

(C)

jparrish@gainesvillega.gov

Hart Wilheit Payne Community Advocate

HALL

(678) 316-8284 ( C ) Whart96@aol.com

Teresa M. Rivero

Lead Senior Program Officer Gates Foundation

JACKSON

(202) 549-2868 ( C ) triv07@gmail.com

Lauren Samples

CPA/Partner Tillman, Bailey, Samples CPAs

(770) 531-9499 ( W )

lsamples@tillmanbailey.cpa

Kevin Tanner

Commissioner GA Dept. of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities

DAWSON

(678) 776-5059 ( W ) kevinktanner@gmail.com

John Vardeman

Chairman Morton Vardeman & Carlson

HALL

(770) 861-8482 ( C ) John@Vardeman.com

Jason E. Voyles Attorney Voyles Law, P.C.

HALL

(678) 203-6778 ( W ) jason@voyleslawfirm.com

Trey Wood

Partner Turner, Wood, & Smith Insurance

DAWSON/ HALL

HALL

(678) 617-4358 ( C ) trey.wood@twsinsurance.com

STANDARDS OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Fundholder Focus

The Heart at the Center We place our fundholders at the heart of all we do— understanding their needs and aligning our services to serve them best.

Responsiveness in Communication

Timely Attention, Lasting Impressions We build trust by keeping our promises, meeting deadlines, and consistently delivering on expectations.

Personalized, Quality Service

Professionalism

Reliability

Stakeholder Feedback

Where Excellence Meets Consistency We deliver consistent, high-quality service tailored to each stakeholder, fostering loyalty and connection.

The Pillar of Trust We build trust by keeping our promises, meeting deadlines, and consistently delivering on expectations.

The Mark of Distinction We uphold integrity and respect, providing expertise in every interaction.

The Compass for Improvement We embrace feedback as a vital tool for growth, adapting to better serve our stakeholders.

OUR TEAM

MICHELLE PRATER President & CEO

mprater@ngcf.org mprater@ngcf.org

Senior Vice President, Finance

ABI CARTER

MARGAUX DOLENC

Vice President, Strategic Initiatives

Vice President, Nonprofit Engagement

lwarwick@ngcf.org

acarter@ngcf.org

mdolenc@ngcf.org

MEGAN EVANS

MARCI GROSS

CHELSEA CLARK

LISA WARWICK

Vice President, Communications

Director, Executive Operations

Manager, Program Operations

mevans@ngcf.org

mgross@ngcf.org

cclark@ngcf.org

ANGEL JACKSON

BRIGETTE MEELER

GRISELDA VILLALOBOS

Manager, Scholarships

ajackson@ngcf.org

Manager, Financial Operations bmeeler@ngcf.org

Fundholder Services Administrator gvillalobos@ngcf.org

PHILANTHROPY AND ENGAGEMENT In addition to stewarding a diverse range of charitable funds for maximum impact, NGCF engages donors, professionals, and community members through targeted programs and initiatives that strengthen North Georgia.

80+ scholarship funds administered annually through a streamlined application cycle or a donor-designated scholarship fund.

Launched in 2025 with the mission of engaging the next-generation of community leaders in the power of philanthropy through collective impact.

Professional network for education, collaboration, and connection around charitable estate and legacy giving.

Meeting space for nonprofits and community organizations to meet, grow, and thrive.

An NGCF affiliate established in 2015 to strengthen Forsyth County through philanthropy, partnerships, and community investment.

FCCF will launch its first grant cycle in 2026.

COMMUNITY IMPACT & NONPROFIT SUPPORT Through strategic grantmaking, nonprofit support, and community resources, NGCF strengthens the organizations that serve North Georgia. By investing in capacity, connection, and collaboration, the Foundation helps local nonprofits grow and expand their impact.

GROW PROGRAMS Executive Coaching: Year-long. 1:1 & cohort-based.

Exec Club: A space for CEOs and EDs to gain practical insights and leadership support.

NGCF’s umbrella for nonprofit education and leadership development, offering year-round programs that strengthen capacity, connection, and growth.

Managers Club: For managers ready to strengthen skills and create an actionable growth plan.

Stewards of Change: A 3-part series for nonprofit board members and executive directors.

Grant Cohort: A 6-week series guiding you step-bystep through the grant writing process.

Deeper Dives: In-depth classes that take a closer look at essential nonprofit topics.

Lunch & Learns: Monthly learning sessions.

GRANT PROGRAMS The NGCF Community Fund powers our grant programs enabling us to address critical community needs.

Community Grants application based cycle (July - August) Opportunity Grants funding new/expanding initiatives in key areas Discretionary Grants emergency funding at discretion of NGCF

FOUNDATION DIRECTORY ONLINE

BY CANDID

Affordable office and meeting space for nonprofits.

Oak Street, Gainesville

Research tool available to nonprofits, providing access to national and private grantmaker data.

CONNECT WITH NGCF VISIT US. FOLLOW US. REACH US.

NGCF Office

340 Jesse Jewell Pkwy. SE. Suite 605 Gainesville, GA 30501

NGCF Nonprofit Community Center 615 Oak Street Gainesville, GA 30501

FIND US ON SOCIAL: North Georgia Community Foundation @NorthGACommunityFoundation North Georgia Community Foundation

/NGCF

Scan to Visit

Call us!

770-535-7880

ngcf.org

program details can be found online:

ngcf.org/GROW