By Jennifer Doyle, President and CEO, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities
At The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), trust is not assumed. It is earned through the work we do every day and through the systems we put in place to steward charitable resources responsibly.
I am proud to share that TFEC has once again received a clean audit. This is an important accomplishment. It reflects the strength of our internal controls. It also shows the care we put into our financial practices and our commitment to transparency and accountability. Having our financial statements and tax returns completed prior to Q1 of 2026 is an unheard-of accomplishment for a community foundation, yet our amazing team accomplishes this annually. We are all so proud of the work they’ve done. TFEC highly values the efficient and supportive partnership we fostered with Maher Duessel and partner Jennifer L. Cruver Kibi, CPA, CGFM.
While a clean audit reflects the strength of TFEC, the preparation and day-to-day coordination required to support the process rest heavily with our Finance Team. Senior Executive Vice President and CFO, Kirk Demyan; Controller, Sharon Bass and Assistant Controller, Stephanie Shorten, devoted significant time and attention to this work. I am deeply grateful for their diligence and leadership. I am also thankful to every team member who helps TFEC carry out this responsibility with care and integrity.
I also want to thank our Audit Committee for the important role they play in this work. Their time and expertise strengthen our financial stewardship. Their oversight reinforces the confidence of our donors, partners and the community in TFEC. I am grateful to Michael R. Gillespie, chair, along with David J. Manbeck, Michelle Buskey, Scott J. Christ and Wendy McClintock for their leadership and service.
For those who choose to work with TFEC, this matters.
Donors, fundholders, nonprofit partners and professional advisors deserve confidence that the organization they trust is committed to strong oversight and recognized standards. That is why TFEC continues to go beyond what is required. We maintain accreditation through National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, which are the highest standards for philanthropic excellence and requires a rigorous review of policies and procedures across donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration. National Standards accreditation recognizes accountability, transparency and excellence and helps distinguish accredited community foundations from similar entities.
That same commitment to openness is reflected in other national recognitions. TFEC’s 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid reflects TFEC’s willingness to share current information about its goals, strategies, leadership and impact. TFEC also holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating that donors can give with confidence.
These recognitions are important because they help people make informed decisions. They show that TFEC is built not only on a mission to strengthen communities, but also on the discipline required to carry that mission forward responsibly. Our values of stewardship, endurance and integrity continue to guide that work, and they strengthen our reputation as a financially and operationally sound community foundation.
Thank you for placing your trust in TFEC. We do not take it lightly.
