Volunteers Needed for the Community Impact Committee at Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM)

CFWM seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by encouraging philanthropy; developing a perpetual, flexible endowment; assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs; serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities; promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds.

Strategic Vision: We are committed to increasing equity and opportunity so that all residents of Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties have access to a satisfying quality of life.

CFWM volunteers support our community by serving as reviewers, committee members, Advisors and Trustee/Directors who are invested in our community, have a commitment for advancing equity in our region, interest and/or experience in community or educational engagement, fundraising, investments, financial audits and budgeting, and/or nonprofit work.

Intersectional equity is a cornerstone of the Foundation's work. We are committed to aligning our staff and volunteers through our shared organizational values including community wisdom, collaboration, equity, integrity, and justice.

In alignment with CFWM’s strategic priority to advance equity in Western Massachusetts, the Foundation seeks volunteers who collectively reflect the diversity of the region—across gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, and geographic representation from Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire counties.

The Community Impact Committee (CIC)

The CIC plays a central role in ensuring that the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts invests its resources thoughtfully, equitably, and in alignment with the needs and strengths of our region. Committee members contribute insight and perspective that inform how CFWM leverages grantmaking, scholarships, research, advocacy, and related strategies to advance its strategic priorities and strengthen communities across Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties.

Serving on the Community Impact Committee is a meaningful way to influence local philanthropy, amplify community voices, and contribute to a more equitable Western Massachusetts. This committee is grounded in the belief that communities most impacted by inequities should help guide how resources are invested to advance equity, build collective power, and support systems change across Western Massachusetts.

Position Overview

The committee provides guidance, coordination, and accountability to support the organization’s strategic priorities. This includes working collaboratively with each advisory group assigned to a specific strategic focus area, as well as taking on responsibility for task forces or creating new advisory groups to address emerging focus areas, to align goals, share expertise, and inform planning and implementation efforts. Through this coordinated approach, the committee ensures initiatives are responsive, strategic, and community informed.

Key Responsibilities

Community Impact Committee members:

• Attend committee meetings consistently and actively participate in discussions and decision making.
• Prepare in advance for meetings by reviewing agendas, materials, and recommendations.
• Actively participate in grant and scholarship review processes, applying curiosity, fairness, and a commitment to equity.
• Offer both personal and professional insights to inform CFWM’s grantmaking and strategic direction.
• Learn about and champion CFWM’s programs, serving as ambassadors within the community.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all information reviewed as part of committee work.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest to ensure transparency and integrity in the decision making process.
• Members may also be invited to participate in learning sessions, or community conversations that deepen understanding of local issues.

Time Commitment

• Terms are three years, with a maximum of nine years of service.
• The committee meets approximately 4–5 times per year, typically every 8-12 weeks, in a mix of in person and virtual formats.
• Participate in grant review processes held throughout the year, generally requiring about three hours per review cycle.
• Total estimated annual time commitment: 15-18 hours annually

CFWM may also offer optional learning opportunities or community events that volunteers can attend as their schedules allow.

Experience and Skills

Volunteers may bring a variety of lived, educational, and professional experiences. Committee members often include but not limited to:

• Individuals with lived experience or passion related to local issues
• Nonprofit professionals
• Community members engaged in CFWM supported programs
• Grantmaking or philanthropic professionals

Experience related to CFWM’s strategic priorities—such as arts and culture, basic human needs, education, nonprofit capacity building, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion centered on racial equity—is particularly welcome. However, these are examples, not requirements; the committee benefits from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Strong volunteers are:

• Curious and open to learning;
• Collaborative and community minded;
• Committed to equitable, mission driven work; and
• Willing to engage in thoughtful dialogue with fellow volunteers and stakeholders

Additional information and timeline

CFWM is currently recruiting volunteers who will serve on the CIC beginning in Fall 2027.

We will need 4-6 members, preferably from across all three counties. We hope to confirm volunteers in time to learn more about our work by participating in our annual scholarship review process in Spring 2027.

For more information and submit a request to volunteer please visit: https://communityfoundation.org/contact/volunteer-with-your-community-foundation/

If you need help completing the form in the link above please contact Briana Wales-Thaxton at bwales@communityfoundation.org