Coastal Community Foundation Appoints Melissa Levesque, Director of Development

CHARLESTON, SC – Tuesday, November 21, 2017 – Coastal Community Foundation (CCF) is pleased to announce Melissa Levesque has joined the development team as its new Director of Development. Levesque comes to CCF from Cornerstone Philanthropic Advisors, LLC. She founded the company in 2009 and has served as the group’s President for the past eight years. Levesque brings to the Foundation broad experience in comprehensive philanthropic advising, strategic planning and consulting.
“We are thrilled to announce Melissa is joining our team,” said Vice President of Development and Stewardship, Betsy Kinsley. “The expertise she brings to the table through past leadership roles with Cornerstone Philanthropic Advisors and the Council on Foundations makes her a vital new member of the Coastal Community Foundation staff as we continue to serve our donors and focus on connecting them to more giving opportunities and resources.”
Levesque’s appointment marks the completion of a thorough search process that brought many well-qualified candidates through the doors of CCF. “Melissa’s professional background in the world of philanthropy and familiarity with community foundations is a good match for the best-in-class donor services we provide at Coastal Community Foundation,” said President and CEO, Darrin Goss, Sr.
Beyond her role as President of Cornerstone Philanthropic Advisors and Director of Philanthropic Advisors at the Council on Foundations, Melissa served as the VP of Endowment and Foundation Services for SunTrust Banks in Atlanta from 2003-2005; the Director of Suddes Partners, a national Fundraising Consultant Firm in Atlanta from 2005-2008; and the Chief Operating Officer of DonorsTrust, a multi-million-dollar grantmaking public charity based out of Alexandria, Virginia from 2008-2009.
As Director of Development, Levesque will serve as a lead member of the Development and Stewardship team. Her primary focus will be philanthropy, donor relations and growing relationships with professional advisors. This focus area encompasses an investment by the foundation in the areas of charitable giving, donor stewardship, knowledge building, and educational opportunities. Levesque holds a Master’s in Historic Preservation from University of Georgia and a J.D. from University of Georgia School of Law.
About Coastal Community Foundation
Coastal Community Foundation empowers individuals, families and organizations to make a lasting impact through permanent, endowed funds for charitable giving. The Foundation serves Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry and Jasper counties. To learn more, go to www.coastalcommunityfoundation.org or call (843) 723-3635.