She’s fun, and she’s funnier than most people know.
But that’s likely because of all the numbers that hover over her head most days, especially the big ones because, as she explains often, Susie Nelson is the local lady who facilitates philanthropy. She’s the executive director of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, and that means, ladies and gentlemen, she connects donors who care with causes that matter.
That’s what it states on the Community Foundation’s Facebook timeline, and it most definitely has a ring to it. “Connecting donors who care with causes that matter.” Can there be a better occupation? Gotta wonder if her official job description is, “See needs and erase them.”
Who wouldn’t want to be something of a game changer or a lifesaver or the answer to people’s prayers? No wonder Nelson has been in her position for more than 16 years, right?
Well, yes, but there’s much more to the position than saving the day every day. There’s the facilitating – or connecting – part, and that certainly is the true puzzle while serving eight counties in the Northern Panhandle and East Ohio. In 2022, the Community Foundation distributed more than $3 million in grants and scholarships, and Nelson managed 286 charitable funds and $75 million in assets to make it happen.
So yes, that is one way Susie Nelson has fun. If you want to see her be funny, ask her about Wheeling history … and about her mom … and who knows more …
Oh yeah, you’ll see funny then.
When did you make your decision to stay home as a professional? And what were the top three reasons why?
I’m not really sure when that decision was actually made. I think that I just never took moving away as a serious option. I had a couple of opportunities, but it never felt right. My husband is from here, too, so we just liked being close to home.
If I had to list three reasons why, I guess they would be:
- Family. I grew up with family nearby. I had one set of grandparents who lived within walking distance, and we spent a lot of time with them. They also happened to be two of the greatest people I have ever known. I wanted my kids to have a similar relationship with extended family.
- I think I just like a small city. My kids hate going anywhere with me because we always run into someone I know and it’s never as brief as just saying “hi.” Most of the time I love that about Wheeling. A small city like Wheeling also makes it easy to get involved. People I know in larger cities have a hard time finding a place to get plugged in, like serving on a nonprofit board or joining a service club. There are many opportunities for that here and I’ve learned to embrace that.
- The quality of life can’t be beat. When you look at our parks, our schools, our cost of living, it’s all a pretty great package. Add to that our proximity to Pittsburgh and I couldn’t ask for much more. But … I guess being closer to a beach would be nice.
What have your children enjoyed the most while growing up in the Wheeling area?
They have certainly benefitted from being close to family. They have grandparents and cousins here that they get to spend quality time with. They have also enjoyed everything this area has to offer – recreation, sports, arts & culture, great summer camps, the amazing parks. The public school system has been great for both of them. We’re big WVU and Pittsburgh sports fans, so we have enjoyed those in-person when we can.
Do you know as much local history as your mother, Jeanne Finstein, knows? Why not?
What do you mean, why not? Oh … you assume I don’t know as much as her!
Well, you’re right!
My mother is constantly learning more about Wheeling’s history. She has been involved with the Friends of Wheeling since its founding in the 1970s. In the early days, they used to have their meetings at our house so my mom wouldn’t have to find a sitter, so my sister and I were exposed to historic preservation at a very young age.
I remember that two of their early projects were W.Va. Independence Hall and Centre Market.
Of course, I know the basics that most people know – the Suspension Bridge was built in 1849, the Capitol Theatre was built in 1928. I know the difference between W.Va. Independence Hall and the First State Capitol Building (they are not the same). I’m familiar with the history of the National Road, Wheeling Park, and Wheeling’s part in the Industrial Revolution.
We’re fortunate to live in a place with so much history to learn about and with a culture that works to preserve and celebrate it!
If you had a dollar for every time you’ve had to explain what the Community Foundation does, how many dollars would you have?
LOTS!!
It’s not exactly an easy concept to grasp for people who are not working in the philanthropy and nonprofit space. But I think the word is getting out little by little.
Our mission is to enhance the vibrancy of the Upper Ohio Valley through meaningful charitable actions, strategic and initiative-driven investments, and thoughtful community leadership.
I like to tell people that we facilitate philanthropy.
We are most known for our grantmaking, but that is just a small part of what we do. We work with donors who want to give back in a bigger way. Many of our donors are trying to establish some sort of legacy of giving to support causes they care about forever.
I heard someone explain it recently and it was a lightbulb moment for me. If we compare charitable giving to growing flowers – we work with donors to find out what their favorite annual is. Once we find that out, we work to turn that into a perennial.
Of all of your travels, what has been your favorite trip and why?
I have been very fortunate to travel to lots of places and they were all great, so this is a tough question to answer. I think I’d rather tell you about my favorite place that I’ve visited. That would be Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland.
It is the most unique, unusual place I’ve ever seen. It is on the North Atlantic coast and instead of it being a sandy beach, it is thousands of basalt columns reaching out of the ground and sea. I have some ancestors who came from that part of Northern Ireland, so it felt extra special to visit.
I love to travel, but I also love coming home!
