Conference room dedication and remarks at recent donor event highlight Geelan’s role in helping position the Foundation for long-term growth.

When former Board President Tim Geelan spoke at The Guilford Foundation’s recent Donor Appreciation Event, he reflected on a time when the Foundation’s endowment stood at about $1 million, and its leaders considered what it would take to build an organization capable of making a meaningful impact for generations to come.

Geelan was one of the leaders who helped move that vision forward.

Earlier this year, The Guilford Foundation (TGF) dedicated the conference room at its 44 Boston Street headquarters in Geelan’s honor, recognizing his leadership during a pivotal period in the organization’s history and the lasting impact of his service.

“Tim brought both vision and leadership to the Foundation at a critical point in our history,” said Liza Janssen Petra, Executive Director of The Guilford Foundation. “He understood that if we wanted to increase our impact in Guilford, we needed to invest in the organization itself, grow the endowment, and think much more intentionally about the future. Many of the things we take for granted today can be traced back to the groundwork Tim helped put in place.”

Geelan joined the TGF Board in 2006 and served in several leadership roles, including on the Finance Committee and as Second Vice President, before serving as Board President from 2009 to 2011. During that time, he encouraged the Foundation to think beyond its immediate grantmaking and build the financial strength, organizational capacity, and community relationships needed to serve Guilford for the long term.

Under his leadership, TGF revised its mission and vision statements, updated its bylaws and grantmaking policies, launched a new website and hired its first professional staff member. He also advocated for expanding charitable giving through legacy and estate planning, increasing resources available for nonprofit grants and scholarships, and strengthening the Foundation’s long-term sustainability.

Geelan was particularly focused on growing TGF’s endowment, setting an ambitious goal of reaching $2 million in assets by 2015. Speaking to donors at the Foundation’s September event, he recalled the thinking behind that goal: the endowment needed to grow to create meaningful impact not only for the community at the time, but for generations to come.

Today, TGF’s endowment has grown to $9 million, supporting grants, scholarships, nonprofit partnerships, and charitable funds that benefit Guilford year after year.

Geelan also played an important role in establishing TGF’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG), which was founded in 2010 to engage Guilford high school students in philanthropy, grantmaking and community service. In his recent remarks, he called the creation of the group one of the accomplishments he is most proud of and said its success has exceeded his expectations. Since its founding, YAG has directed more than $130,000 to local nonprofits and community initiatives serving children and families.

Geelan’s commitment to community philanthropy was closely connected to his professional career. He joined Guilford Savings Bank, now Ascend Bank, in 1994 and became President and CEO in 2014. During more than three decades with the bank, he helped guide its growth and evolution while maintaining a strong emphasis on community investment.

That philosophy included partnering with community foundations throughout the region. At the donor event, Geelan reflected on the bank’s decision to work with local foundations because of their knowledge of their communities and understanding of where resources could make a difference.

“Tim’s leadership has left an indelible mark on Ascend Bank and the communities we serve,” said Kyle Eagleson, President and CEO of Ascend Bank. “His commitment to strengthening local organizations and investing in the communities around us has always been central to Ascend’s core beliefs. We thrive only if our communities thrive. It is fitting that The Guilford Foundation has recognized a place where people come together to exchange ideas and strengthen the community in his honor.”

Geelan’s relationship with TGF has continued beyond his Board service and retirement from Ascend Bank. In recognition of his retirement, the bank established the Geelan Family Fund at The Guilford Foundation. Seeded by Ascend Bank, the donor-advised fund allows Tim and his wife, Melissa, to recommend grants to organizations and causes important to them.

Speaking to donors, Geelan described the fund as another opportunity to direct resources toward areas of community need and personal interest.

The conference room bearing Geelan’s name now serves as a gathering place for TGF Board and committee meetings, conversations with nonprofits and donors, and community partnerships. For the Foundation, the dedication recognizes not only Geelan’s years of service, but his role in helping build an organization positioned to serve Guilford well into the future.

“Tim always pushed us to think about what TGF could become, not simply what it was at the time,” Petra said. “Naming this room for him is a meaningful reminder of the difference thoughtful leadership can make and of the responsibility we have to keep building on that work.”