The Chester County Community Foundation wrapped a six-stop listening tour with nonprofit leaders across the county Oct. 8.

The sessions are part of President and CEO Kate Wickersham's first-year effort to guide the West Chester-based organization's direction. Wickersham and Chief Impact Officer Chaya Scott led small-group Community Conversations in Coatesville, Phoenixville, Kennett Square, Exton, Malvern and Oxford between Sept. 1 and Oct. 8, the foundation announced. Past grantees attended each session.

The conversations focused on three areas: grantmaking, training and community leadership. Participants also completed an online survey about their experiences with the foundation.

"The best way for us to understand how the Community Foundation can have the greatest impact is to hear directly from the people serving our communities every day," Wickersham said in the announcement.

She said what the foundation learned from nonprofit partners will shape its approach to grantmaking, the trainings it provides and its role in bringing organizations together.

Wickersham took over the top job June 26 after the foundation's board selected her through a national search conducted with Kittleman & Associates. She succeeded Karen Simmons, who retired after 25 years leading the organization.

Under Simmons, the foundation grew from 130 entrusted funds holding $8 million to more than 335 funds holding $141 million, according to the foundation. The organization is headquartered in West Chester's Lincoln Building and manages nearly $145 million in community assets.

A longtime Chester County resident, Wickersham previously served as director of development at LCH Health and Community Services. She holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.

Scott, who grew up in West Chester and graduated from Henderson High School, joined the foundation in June 2025. She previously served as vice president of consulting for the Nonprofit Finance Fund.

The nonprofit sessions are one piece of Wickersham's broader listening effort. The foundation has already held informal "Coffee with Kate" sessions in Phoenixville and West Chester and has four more scheduled:

  • Coatesville: Oct. 22
  • Oxford: Nov. 3
  • Malvern/Paoli: Nov. 5
  • Kennett Square: Nov. 12

A separate session focused on reimagining the foundation's Board of Directors Institute and other programming is set for Nov. 10 in Exton. Residents who cannot attend in person can share feedback through an online survey on the foundation's website.