Fund created for former CFGC chairwoman
The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) recently announced the creation of the Nancy I. Davis Fund. While the fund was initiated by Nancy Davis, Ed.D., during her long tenure as a CFGC board member, it was ultimately funded through an estate bequest of nearly $725,000. Davis died in June 2016.
The Nancy I. Davis Fund was established with the intent of raising the Community Foundation of Greene County’s capacity for grant-making, growth and development. Through this gift, Davis continues to open new doors for the community even after her passing. It was her lifelong passion to help Greene County residents of all ages develop opportunities to expand their education, training and leadership skills.
Through her long association with CFGC, having served 13 years on the board of directors, including six years as chairwoman, Davis believed that the foundation had the capacity to help her vision of growing leaders, educating students of all ages and developing nonprofit capacity, not only through grant-making and scholarship programs, but through leadership activities that impact the community in many ways.
“Nancy, throughout her life, was the consummate leader and philanthropist,” said CFGC Executive Director Bettie Stammerjohn. “Whether as an educator, change catalyst, or community builder, she truly had a heart for her community.”
“Nancy’s ultimate gift to CFGC and to Greene County is through her final bequest. We are so appreciative of the opportunity that she has entrusted to the foundation,” said Dr. Morris Harper, current chairman of the CFGC board of directors. “Her decision, through her bequest, is to provide CFGC with the flexibility to meet the needs of the community, not just for now, but for the future as well. Nancy knew that this gift will allow her legacy, her passion for the community, to live on years from now.”
Nancy I. Everly Davis was born and raised in Greene County, graduating from Point Marion High School in 1953. She married the Rev. William H. Davis in 1953. While their son, William H. Davis Jr., was growing up, Davis earned an elementary education degree from California State College and began teaching at the Perry Township School in Mt. Morris in 1965. She went on to earn a master’s degree and doctorate from West Virginia University.
During her 25-year career in the Central Greene School District, she was an elementary principal, secondary school principal, assistant director of curriculum, assistant superintendent and superintendent. She continued her career as superintendent at Lake Lehman School District, near Wilkes-Barre, before serving as a visiting assistant professor at Wilkes University and assisting with the off-campus education program at Gannon University. Davis returned home to Greene County, where she helped with efforts to establish the Greene County Education Center of Westmoreland County Community College in Waynesburg. She later served as the center coordinator, then as the workforce development coordinator.
While in Wilkes-Barre, Nancy completed the Leadership Wilkes-Barre program and became an advocate for leadership development, later helping to start the Greene County Community Builders Nonprofit Leadership program at CFGC.
Davis was dedicated to service and giving back. She was active in many organizations including the Rotary Club of Waynesburg, Greene County United Way, Greater Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce, and the Greene County chapter of the PA Association of School Retirees.
”Nancy always led by example,” said Stammerjohn. “Throughout her tenure on the board, and even in the few years when she rotated off the board, Nancy always provided significant support through CFGC to support a variety of community needs from scholarships to leadership grants to unrestricted support. It was in her blood to give back, and she did so by sharing not only her treasures but her time and talents as well.”The Nancy I. Davis Fund will be used to facilitate the work of the Community Foundation of Greene County, including grants and special initiatives that support Nancy’s priorities of education and leadership in the community.
Community Foundation of Greene County is the central philanthropic vehicle in Greene County for donations of various types and sizes.
For more information, visit www.cfgcpa.org or email cfgcpa@gmail.com.