Welcome CFNEG’s new Director of Development & Fundholder Relations!

Her dynamic career has spanned multiple industries in government, nonprofit and for-profit sectors — and we’re excited to welcome her as our new Director of Development and Fundholder Relations: Marlene Fosque!

“One of my slogans is ‘all I want to do in the world is to do good.’ To be able to work in this space where we’re helping fundholders utilize their dollars to help improve the world through charitable giving is amazing,” said Marlene.

Building connections and fostering relationships have always been Marlene’s strengths. In 2018, she made history as the first African American elected to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. During her tenure, she faithfully served District 4, building relationships that now enable her to expand philanthropy in the community. 

“When my term was up as a commissioner, I walked out of the door with over 950 contacts,” said Marlene.

In her new role, she hopes to connect those contacts with opportunities to expand their philanthropy and support the causes they care most about.

“As a new member of the incredible Community Foundation, I’m excited to help our fundholders guide their wealth and generosity to make a real difference. We all have the potential to create change, but sometimes it takes looking beyond what’s familiar—exploring new possibilities and embracing the adventure of giving,” she said. 

While the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia focuses its efforts on Gwinnett, North Fulton and Forsyth counties, the passion for changing lives is not limited to any geographic area.

“We can help any qualified charity in the United States,” Marlene said.

From her own experience, Marlene recognizes the potential for each person to connect with a variety of different causes.

“When I was two years old, my mother died, and my siblings and I were placed in foster homes. I was a foster child until age 12 when I moved down to North Carolina with my paternal grandmother,” said Marlene.

She now looks for any opportunity to support children in the foster care system. 

“I look at children as a gift from God, and we need to treat that gift with care,” she said.

Another cause close to her heart is raising awareness for sickle cell anemia, a painful blood disorder that can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and other complications. 

“I had a cousin with sickle cell anemia,” she explained. “My sister also has traits of sickle cell anemia.”

The pain and fatigue she’s seen through her family members has inspired her to raise awareness and encourage support for the disorder. 

As she has connected with organizations aligned with her passions, Marlene hopes to do the same for fundholders, growing the number of individuals and organizations the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia serves.

“We have almost a million residents in [Gwinnett County], but we have around 300 fundholders,” she explained. “It’s our whole staff’s goal to make sure that we have positive awareness of the Community Foundation and find sound organizations who would like to help other charities while letting their funds grow.

“It’s more than just coming on board to watch your money grow. You are helping someone else in our community or country.”

She’s excited to see the work of the Community Foundation grow as more fundholders and organizations join. 

“We’re much better working together, and when we work together, we can improve the lives of all of our residents in the county, state and region,” Marlene said.

Join us in welcoming Marlene to the team! We’re thrilled to see how she will expand your philanthropy and guide you as you serve your community. 

You can reach Marlene at mfosque@cfneg.org or 770-353-9760.