Our Community. Your Foundation.
Since 1995, the SouthCoast Community Foundation has served as a catalyst for philanthropic giving. Our mission is to mobilize philanthropy by matching donors and resources with community needs for the benefit of our region.
As a tax-exempt, public charity, the SouthCoast Community Foundation offers donors the guidance and flexibility to fulfill their philanthropic goals. We serve a range of charitable individuals and corporations whose main concern is improving the quality of life in our community.
The SouthCoast Community Foundation allocates individual, family and corporate funds to meet community needs. To date, we have contributed over $41.9 million in assets to charitable grants, funds, and scholarships across the SouthCoast. We currently support over 175 programs benefiting art, culture, education, and humanitarianism across the region.
Our History
Since 1995, the SouthCoast Community Foundation has given rise to philanthropic giving across the SouthCoast region.
In its first year of operation, the SouthCoast Community Foundation received its first charitable gift of $100,000. In 1997, we invested $1 million to establish Youth Entitled to Success (Project YES), spearheading drug abuse prevention and education efforts in our community.
For 25 years, we have supported personal and corporate philanthropy by offering a range of innovative giving options. We offer a variety of funds to help every donor meet their philanthropic goals.
The SouthCoast Community Foundation currently manages more than $45 million in charitable assets in support of more than 200 funds established by nonprofits, families, and businesses across Southeastern Massachusetts.
Our Region
In its 25 years of operation, the SouthCoast Community Foundation has distributed more than $30 million to charitable organizations throughout the SouthCoast.
We are active in 41 cities and towns across 4 counties of Southeastern Massachusetts. Our service area includes Greater New Bedford, Greater Fall River, Southern Plymouth County and more.
Bristol County
Acushnet
Attleboro
Berkley
Dartmouth
Dighton
Easton
Fairhaven
Fall River
Freetown
Mansfield
North Attleboro
Norton
Raynham
Rehoboth
Seekonk
Somerset
Swansea
Taunton
Westport
Abington
Bridgewater
Brockton
Carver
East Bridgewater
Halifax
Hanson
Kingston
Lakeville
Mattapoisett
Middleboro
Plymouth
Plympton
Rochester
Wareham
West Bridgewater
Whitman
Dukes County
Gosnold
Norfolk County
Avon
Stoughton
Our Financials
The SouthCoast Community Foundation was established in 1995 with its first charitable gift of $100,000. For 25 years, we have shown significant growth. We now manage more than $45 million in charitable assets in support of more than 200 funds established by our dedicated nonprofit, individual, and corporate fundholders.
To view our most recent financial statement, click below.
Our Board
Our Board of Directors helps our community thrive by mobilizing philanthropic giving.
Board of Directors
Linda Bodenmann
Chair
Gail Fortes
Vice Chair
Louis E. Sousa CFA
Treasurer
Carl J. Cruz
Clerk
Jonathan Rounds
Assistant Clerk
Seth Garfield
Past Chair
John Vasconcellos
President
Trish Arnold
Damōn Chaplin
Colleen Carney Courtney
Priscilla Ditchfield
Jayne Rebello Korn
Denise M. Porche´
Maria A. Rosario
Cynthia Rose
Jason Rua
Director Emeritus
Kim Clark
Our Team
Our staff and associates are champions of our community, with focuses on public service and development, arts and culture, youth services, finance, and more.
John Vasconcellos
President
Werlaine Badio
Programs Officer
508-996-8253 ext. 202
wbadio@southcoastcf.org
Werlaine Badio joined the Foundation in April 2021 as the Programs Officer. Previously, she was a Recruiter for the human resources company, Aston Carter, and Management Assistant/Customer Services Manager for the rental company, Enterprise Holdings. While attending the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, she was the Events & Marketing Manager for the Haitian Student Association (HASA). Werlaine grew up in Brockton and currently lives in Fall River.
Nhamaa Cortes
Accounting Clerk
Nhamaa Cortes joined the Foundation in April 2021 as the Accounting Clerk. Nhamaa is a recent graduate from Bridgewater State University where he majored in Accounting with a minor in Management. While he was a student, he worked in the foodservice industry. Nhamaa was born and raised in New Bedford where he currently resides.
Kim Goddard
Marketing & Communications Manager
508-996-8253 ext. 217
kgoddard@southcoastcf.org
Kim Goddard joined the organization in October 2020 as the Marketing & Communications Manager. Originally from California, Kim worked in advertising and marketing for companies such as Lucasfilm and Bose Corp. Upon moving to the area, Kim began consulting for start-ups and several nonprofits such as Community Boating Center, DATMA, and Our Sisters’ School. She also served on the board for Coastal Neighbors Network. When Kim isn’t working on Community Foundation business, she is program managing mural installations for the New Bedford organization, Superflat NB.
Tricia Grime
Development Manager
Adrianna Heard
Donor Services Associate
508-996-8253 ext. 214
aheard@southcoastcf.org
Adrianna Heard joined the Foundation in July 2020 as the Development Systems Administrator and in January 2021 was promoted to Donor Services Associate. Adrianna was born and raised in New Bedford and graduated with honors, from Westfield State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Kim Heard
Office Administrator
508-996-8253 ext. 215
kheard@southcoastcf.org
Charles Holley
Director of Finance and Administration
508-996-8253 ext. 204
cholley@southcoastcf.org
Charles Holley joined the organization in December 2020 as the Director of Finance & Administration. Most recently Charles was the Director of Finance & Administration for Boston Harbor Now and Chief Financial Officer for Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. He is currently the Board Treasurer for Mystic River Watershed Association.
Sarah Rose
Director of Engagement
Sarah Rose joins the organization in January 2021 as the Director of Engagement. Sarah most recently served as the Deputy Director for Education and Outreach for Plimoth Patuxet Museums and the Vice President for Education and Programs for the New Bedford Whaling Museum. She is on the Board of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum and Friends Academy.
AHA! (Art, History and Architecture!)
Candace Lee Heald
AHA! Director