Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Chris Nanni joined the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham as President and CEO in Feb. 2014. As the largest foundation in Alabama with assets of $320 million, the Community Foundation connects philanthropists, nonprofits, and engaged leaders to build a stronger, more vibrant future for the five-county Greater Birmingham region.

Chris has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit and community work and a deep-seated passion for philanthropy. Contributing to his effectiveness are the many years he has spent in the nonprofit sector running organizations and programs dealing with issues such as addiction, homelessness, poverty, and education. One of his most deeply affecting experiences was the two-and-a-half years he spent in the Dominican Republic doing mission work along the Haitian border.

Chris has a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Cross-Cultural Theology from Catholic Theological Union. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a walk-on for the men’s basketball team. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., Chris met his wife, Allison, while at Notre Dame. They have three children, Marcello, Louie, and Maria.

Chris believes that philanthropy is an essential tool in addressing critical issues. He has evolved the Community Foundation’s grantmaking to be proactive in resolving community challenges. Given the incredible generosity of the Birmingham area and manageability of our issues, Chris believes the Foundation is strategically poised to help build a more just, prosperous, and equitable community and fulfill the Foundation’s mission to “ignite passion for transformational change.”