COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Heritage Fund Board of Directors has announced Edie Blakeslee as the new President/CEO of the community foundation. She brings more than 20 years of experience in grant making, community engagement, and fundraising to Heritage Fund, where she returns to community foundation leadership following her most recent position as vice president of Grantmaking and Community Leadership at the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina (CCF) and consultancy work.
Blakeslee held many positions during her CCF tenure, starting in support and advancing to officer, director, and VP. She advanced trust-based philanthropy, donor stewardship, and partnership across the nine-county region it serves. A native of Buffalo, Blakeslee moved to Charleston, S.C., in 2000, where she supported students at The Citadel before joining CCF in 2002.
The new President/CEO was drawn to Heritage Fund’s community-focused mission and Midwest setting. Blakeslee said, “Heritage Fund’s history is impressive in its reach and service to Bartholomew County. It’s a strong foundation, and I look forward to cultivating deep relationships, focusing on Bartholomew County, and growing the foundation.”
She succeeds Tracy Souza, who retires on July 15 after 14 years with Heritage Fund.
