The Generosity Trust Announces Leadership Transition Plan

The Generosity Trust president, Jim Barber, has informed the board of directors of his intent to retire from his current role as of December 31, 2027. This news was received by the board of directors at their recent meeting with deep appreciation for Jim’s tenure as president and for the ample advance notice to allow for a successful transition.

According to Bart Rolen, chairman of the board and CEO of Southeastern Trust, “For over a quarter of a century, Jim Barber has guided The Generosity Trust through a season of growth. Under his leadership, we have significantly grown the number of donors we are serving annually, and launched numerous initiatives to increase generosity in Chattanooga and beyond. He also successfully navigated the Great Recession and the pandemic. He will be leaving The Generosity Trust in a position of strength. Thanks to Jim, our next leader will have a solid foundation to build upon.”

Jim Barber has served as the President of The Generosity Trust since 2000. Under his leadership, the organization rebranded from the Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation to become known as The Generosity Trust. During his tenure, the donor-advised foundation experienced record years in gifts received and grants distributed. He also made significant improvements to the staff and operations in order to facilitate a greater volume of contributions and grants. 

Prior to serving at The Generosity Trust, Jim served with Franklin Graham at Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, North Carolina.  He began the Development Department in 1992, was instrumental in the launching of Operation Christmas Child, worked on relief efforts in Bosnia and Croatia, and traveled with Franklin to all of his North American Festivals.  Prior to that, he served as the Director of Planned Giving with Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, for almost seven years.  

“I told the Board of Directors when they hired me that, under my leadership, the Foundation would never suffer from mission drift,” said Jim Barber.  “I’m proud to say that we remain, to this day, committed to the same Biblical principles that Dora Maclellan Brown, our founder and benefactor, held to during her lifetime. The Generosity Trust is ‘a definitely Christian’ organization as she requested.  And the board and staff of the organization are committed to maintaining that distinction for generations to come.  That, I believe, is the strength of The Generosity Trust.”

The board of directors will create a transition committee and launch a nationwide search for the next leader of The Generosity Trust. 

ABOUT THE GENEROSITY TRUST

Dora Maclellan Brown wanted The Generosity Trust to “Always remember the definitely Christian faith upon which this organization is built.” She wrote these words in 1952, setting the tone for the organization she founded. In 1965, the organization started as a single-donor private foundation known as the Dora Maclellan Brown Charitable Trust. In 1993, it formally organized as the Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation, and in 2011 rebranded as The Generosity Trust. 

Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, The Generosity Trust promotes generosity and facilitates giving for Christians who are motivated toward kingdom-building generosity. The Generosity Trust provides donor-advised funds, facilitates the contribution of non-cash assets, and offers a variety of charitable solutions. It also awards scholarships to Christians who are preparing for a career in Christian ministry.