“I am truly humbled to receive the Distinguished Service Award and all it represents,” said Sandercock. “Throughout my career, I’ve strived to for everyone in the Greater Greensboro area and beyond to have a seat at the table. It is an honor to share in this recognition with my colleagues and partner organizations.”
The Distinguished Service Award honors an individual whose leadership and integrity have deeply impacted the field by helping to advance the greater good. Sandercock has devoted her career to tackling pervasive socioeconomic issues and building trusting relationships in philanthropy, having spent 25 years at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro and over 30 years in the field. She has facilitated or nurtured over a dozen funding collaboratives ranging from national/local partnerships on HIV/AIDS, capacity building for Latino-led nonprofits, increased funding for LGBTQ-serving organizations, educational attainment, workforce development, and social capital research. Local efforts have focused on interfaith relations, neighborhood development, youth philanthropy, and nonprofit capacity.
“The Council Awards are one of the premier honors within the social sector,” said Kathleen Enright, President and CEO of the Council on Foundations. “It’s a joy to recognize Tara Sandercock as an exemplar in the field. I’ve been personally inspired by her commitments to fostering equity through philanthropy and going the extra mile to surmount the tough conditions created by COVID-19.”
Walker Sanders, President of CFGG, said, “We are proud of Tara and her accomplishments. To see her get this type of recognition on a national level reinforces what we have always known on a local level.”
“Tara has been the heart of CFGG for 25 years,” said Ivan Canada, Executive Director of the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) in Greensboro. “When I looked at the criteria for this award, Tara embodies all of them and does so in a manner that supports why so many call her the heart of CFGG.”
To learn more about the Council Awards and the 2021 winners, visit
www.cof.org.
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro is a charitable organization that inspires giving, maximizes opportunities and strengthens communities for present and future generations. With assets of over $300 million and approximately 700 charitable funds under management, it promotes philanthropy by addressing emerging community issues, managing permanent endowments, and working with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations in achieving their charitable objectives. In 2020, it received $85.7 million in contributions and granted $35.3 million.