Transparency builds trust. And trust builds community.
In a place like Gettysburg — where history reminds us daily that actions have lasting consequences — transparency isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a responsibility. When neighbors give generously to help local nonprofits that help fellow residents, they deserve to know how those charitable dollars are managed.
At the Adams County Community Foundation, transparency is foundational to how we operate. It’s why our grantmaking is publicly shared. It’s why our investment approach is not hidden behind closed doors. It’s why we accredit under National Standards. And it’s why we publish information about our grant programs, scholarships, financials, and policies on our website for anyone to review.
That commitment extends beyond our own operations. As the producer of the Giving Spree, we require participating nonprofits to make their financial information publicly available on their own websites. Donors should be able to see an organization’s financials, understand its mission, and evaluate its work before making a gift. Transparency empowers generosity. It gives people confidence that their dollars are making a difference.
Scores of local nonprofits rely on the strength and stability of the Community Foundation’s investments. More than 360 charitable endowments are pooled together for investment purposes. That pooling provides economies of scale, lowering costs and strengthening long-term performance. But more importantly, it carries a profound obligation: to manage those resources wisely and openly.
Endowment investing isn’t about chasing trends or taking unnecessary risks. It’s about balancing two equally important goals: generating returns that serve Adams County today, and preserving and growing assets so they can serve this community for generations to come. That responsibility rests with our Board, our Investment Committee, and our professional investment managers.
Because this work matters to so many in Adams County, we believe it should never be a mystery.
That is why we hold an annual Investment Briefing — free and open to the public — to explain exactly how it all works.
Join the Adams County Community Foundation on Thursday, March 5, for our 2026 Investment Briefing. The program begins at 8:00 a.m. at Gettysburg History’s Battlefield Overlook Event Center, 625 Biglerville Road, Gettysburg. Volunteer Investment Committee Chair Jim Dunlop of Advent Partners will lead the discussion, joined by the Community Foundation’s investment managers from Brown Advisory.
During this one-hour program, we will share our endowment investment objectives, strategy, governance structure, and oversight processes. You will learn the distinct roles of our Board, our Investment Committee, and our professional managers. You will see how decisions are made, how performance is monitored, and how risk is evaluated.
There are no secrets here — just stewardship.
So, join us at 8:00 a.m., grab some coffee and a pastry. The program begins at 8:15 a.m. While the briefing is free, registration is required. To reserve your seat, call 717-337-0060 or email rs**@***********cf.org.
Transparency strengthens confidence. Confidence strengthens giving. And giving strengthens Adams County.
Ralph Serpe is President & CEO of the Adams County Community Foundation, Adams County’s charitable endowment builder. He serves on the board of the Adams Economic Alliance, the National Standards Board for U.S. Community Foundations, and does whatever it takes to help you leave the charitable legacy you want for the community you love. He can be reached at 717-337-0060 or rs****@***********cf.org