What does it take to build a community foundation that will serve future generations? Former TGF Board President and longtime Guilford Savings Bank leader Tim Geelan shares his perspective in a recent Guilford Courier/ZIP06 feature, “Tim Geelan: A Legacy Meant to Last.”

The article explores Tim’s longstanding commitment to community philanthropy and his role in helping The Guilford Foundation grow into the organization it is today. From championing endowment growth and professional leadership to helping establish our Youth Advisory Group, Tim understood early on that building a strong foundation was essential to creating lasting community impact.

Today, Tim continues that commitment through the Geelan Family Fund, which Ascend Bank established in recognition of his retirement. His reflections underscore an important message: community foundations connect people who want to make a difference with the local knowledge, resources, and long-term stewardship needed to turn generosity into lasting impact.

We’re grateful to Tim for his years of leadership and continued support, and to The Guilford Courier/ZIP06 for sharing his story.

Excerpt from Guilford Courier/Zip 06 Article Written by Pam Young

For Tim Geelan, supporting a community means more than making a donation or volunteering for a worthwhile cause. It means helping establish organizations and resources that will continue serving residents long after today’s leaders have moved on.

That philosophy has guided much of his work with the Guilford Foundation, where he served on the board for approximately 10 years, including a period as president. It also shaped his approach to community involvement during his 31-year career at Guilford Savings Bank.

Now retired from the bank’s day-to-day operations, Tim continues to advocate for the role community foundations play in supporting local needs.

“My focus was to make this a lasting organization, but you need an endowment and perpetuity is key,” he says.

His contributions were recognized at a recent Guilford Foundation donor appreciation event at Dudley Farm, where Tim spoke about the organization and its importance to the community.

The occasion also reflected a personal connection. When Tim retired in 2025, the bank established a donor-advised fund for the Geelan family at the foundation.

“It was a donor-advised fund for me and my family, and I am very pleased,” he says. “I spoke at the donor appreciation event held at Dudley Farm. I think the Guilford Foundation makes a difference and I am happy to be part of it.”

Tim’s interest in community foundations developed through his work at Guilford Savings Bank, which he joined in 1994.

To learn more or donate to the Geelan Family Fund, click here.