“I love the possibility of the impact that can be made through a community foundation – whether that’s through individuals, the Community Foundation’s own grantmaking or through convening and studying issues in the community that need solving. There are so many things that a community foundation can do to help a community and its people.” – Alison Gerardot, CFRM, 21/64 Certified Advisor, Chief Impact Officer
Phone: 260-969-3313
E-mail: agerardot@cfgfw.org
Alison Gerardot, Chief Impact Officer, joined the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne in February 2017. She is responsible for collaborating with individuals on their personal philanthropy, developing and implementing strategies for growth, and helping elevate philanthropy throughout the community. In 2020, Alison Gerardot helped to launch the first Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne held at the Community Foundation.
Alison has her BA in English from IPFW and her Certificate in Fundraising Management from the IU School of Philanthropy. Alison has an extensive nonprofit background, through social work, arts nonprofit administration and education and came to the Community Foundation after serving as the Director of Programming and Events for Riverfront Fort Wayne. Through her work at Riverfront, she had the honor of producing community impacting events such as the “Faces of the Fort” community art project and Middle Waves Music Festival. In 2016, she was honored as a Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly “Forty Under 40” recipient, in 2019 she became a Leadership Fort Wayne graduate and in 2020 she was named one of Fort Wayne Magazine’s “People of the Year” for her work in helping to establish the Women’s Fund. In 2022, Alison was named a “Champion of Change” and was honored with an award from Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. for her mentorship of young women throughout the community and work in establishing the Women’s Fund. She is a 2022 graduate of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance Mutz Leadership Institute and a 2023 graduate of CFLeads Executive Leadership Institute for Vice Presidents. Alison currently volunteers on the school board of her children’s school.
Alison currently lives on the south side of Fort Wayne with her wonderful husband, two kids and adorable dog Theo! She loves visiting the farmer’s market on Saturday morning during the summers and spending the rest of her free time with friends and family.