Gretchen Corcoran
Grants Manager“After COVID, I realized I really wanted to do more meaningful work. When the opportunity came up to return to the Foundation, I jumped at that chance.”
Gretchen served as an intern at the Community Foundation in 2016 while completing her degree in nonprofit management, and today, she continues her work in philanthropy with many of the same people she met in previous roles.
After earning her degree from the University of Northern Iowa, she applied what she learned to serve in nonprofit fundraising and corporate recruiting roles for several years.
Now back at the Foundation, Gretchen serves as a point of contact for nonprofits, supporting them through all the components of the grantmaking process, such as applications and reporting.
When she’s not working, Gretchen is likely to be found with a Kindle in hand, as reading is one of her favorite hobbies. She challenges herself to read 50 books a year, enjoying thrillers, romance novels, historical fiction or memoirs. She takes advantage of time to read on cross-continental flights with her husband, Tom, to visit his family in England.
When not reading, Gretchen enjoys playing with her German shepherd/heeler, Reggie, or miniature dachshund, Fritz; running on the Heritage Trail; and trying out her new skills on the golf course.
Fun Fact
Q. What’s your favorite book of all time?
A. “Napkin Notes: Make Lunch Meaningful, Life Will Follow” by Garth Callaghan
