Columbia, MD - April 8, 2008 - The Board of Trustees of The Columbia Foundation, Howard County’s community foundation, announces the hiring of Beverley Francis as the new President and C.E.O. effective June 2008. Ms. Francis will replace Barbara K. Lawson, the outgoing President and C.E.O. who has been at the helm of the Foundation since 1989.

Ms. Francis comes from the Triangle Community Foundation in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, where she has worked for ten years and is currently Director of Philanthropic Services. The Triangle Community Foundation has grown from $85 million when she started to $130 million during her tenure, and has over 700 funds, of which she personally managed 250. She was very active in and knowledgeable of the foundation’s grant making program, enabling her to connect nonprofit organizations with donors supportive of their causes.

In her prior role as Executive Director for Women-in-Action, an organization in Durham, North Carolina dedicated to the prevention of violence, Ms. Francis was responsible for the organization’s fundraising and marketing, including bringing in seven-figure gifts. She also has served as a guest lecturer at the University of North Carolina on the subject of philanthropy.

In her new role as President and C.E.O. of The Columbia Foundation, Ms. Francis will oversee the continued growth of the $16 million endowment and the over $700,000 annual grant programs.

According to Meg Moon, Chair of The Columbia Foundation’s Board of Trustees, “Howard County is going to benefit tremendously from Beverley’s experience, passion and creativity. She will have her first opportunity to meet our donors and the nonprofit community at the Foundation's Spring Party May 1st, and I know they will be as impressed and excited about working with her as we are.”

Founded in 1969, the Foundation has awarded over $9 million in grants to Howard County nonprofit organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Money for the grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the Foundation’s endowment supported by over 250 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information on The Columbia Foundation, visit www.columbiafoundation.org or call 410-730-7840.