With sadness, we announce Sarah Lambert's departure from CFNIL as she seeks new opportunities and challenges to which she can devote her exceptional talents. Her last day with CFNIL will be September 3, 2025.

Sarah started her role with CFNIL in 2015 as Grants Officer, with the primary responsibility of overseeing the region's largest private scholarship program. During her tenure, the program has more than doubled, awarding over half a million dollars this year alone. Most recently, she was Vice President of Programs and Community Investment. In that role, she oversaw the full scope of CFNIL's grantmaking, including Community Grants, Scholarships, Donor Advised and Donor Designated, and numerous discretionary and responsive grantmaking initiatives. She has been a sought-after topic-area expert for professional groups such as the National Scholarship Providers Association and the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations, and has brought her leadership and expertise to multiple community initiatives and task forces, including Winning Start Winnebago, the region-wide funder response to COVID-19, the Mayor's Hunger Luncheon, and more.

Sarah managed four of CFNIL's ten staff, served as staff liaison to several standing board committees, and led various operational improvement efforts, including a full scholarship program audit and restructure, and the creation, adoption, and promotion of CFNIL's Grantmaking Philosophies. She often spoke for the foundation at public events, including the recent press conference convened by State Representative Maurice West to announce state dollars awarded for organizations and projects serving the 67th District, including $1.7M awarded to CFNIL to be subgranted to more than thirty organizations, with CFNIL providing the administrative capacity for reporting and tracking on behalf of the grantees. 

Additionally, Sarah brought a literal bundle of joy to the CFNIL office daily in the form of her dog, Beezus. Bea has served as Territory Management & Entertainment Associate for CFNIL since September 2020. She enjoys head scritches, short walks, and crunchy vegetables. More than just a pet or our office dog, Bea has represented a cultural shift for CFNIL, in our continuous effort to be more welcoming, more approachable, and more genuine. 

Sarah's passion for grantmaking and the unique role a community foundation can play have elevated CFNIL's reputation and impact in countless ways. She will be deeply missed. Please join us in wishing her well in whatever the next challenge may bring.