Founded in 1990, Commonwealth Community Trust (CCT) administers affordable and efficient pooled trusts for those who are vulnerable, injured or have a disability.
In the early years, CCT was a local organization. Today, it serves individuals and families across the nation.
President and CEO Joanne Marcus is celebrating 25 years guiding CCT. We caught up with her to talk about the nonprofit’s humble beginnings, its growth and what has kept her with the organization all these years.
Twenty-five years… congratulations! When you started at CCT, could you have imagined you’d still be leading it 25 years later?
Thank you so much for recognizing a major anniversary. While it is true that 25 years have passed, it seems like a minute. I wonder how that happens. The explanation to myself is that the work is exceptionally gratifying, as CCT truly makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Administering pooled special needs trusts for people who are vulnerable or have a disability is an opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s life and well-being. We are here to help the parents who call worried about what will happen when they are no longer here to financially support their son or daughter with special needs. We help the people who have received a personal injury award as the result of an accident and can benefit from a trust administrator, or do not want to lose their Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income or need to apply for these benefits. All are people we can offer a solution to that gives them peace of mind. I also have the pleasure of working with many wonderful colleagues who genuinely care.
CCT has experienced tremendous growth under your leadership. Looking back, what have been some of the drivers to that growth?
In reflecting back, the key ingredients that stand out are the outstanding staff, the support and encouragement of the board of directors, the need for our services and the quality of care we provide. Twenty-five years ago, CCT was a local organization. As word spread among the processional community whose clients had a positive experience with us, we began getting calls outside Richmond, then throughout Virginia and surrounding states, and ultimately, nationwide. The need was for a well-run nonprofit organization that had minimal funding requirements and fees, answered all questions, provided information and understood how to meet the needs of the beneficiary. The funds are pooled for investment purposes, but each beneficiary has their own account and access on a confidential mobile app or our website portal to all their financial information.
What are three things you’re most proud of during your tenure?
My relationship to the board of directors, the staff who support our mission and will go the extra mile and achieving the goal of establishing a nationwide pooled special needs trust.
What attracted you to CCT to begin with? Why have you stayed all these years?
I met with the board of directors 25 years ago and did not know anything about trust administration, but I did have a background as a manager of programs that were just a vision at the time. As a social worker, I loved the mission and was so glad when offered the position as the first employee of CCT and the executive director. My personal goal in life is to make a positive difference in the lives of the people I touch.
How has your role changed over the years?
In the beginning, I was the only staff, and then I hired a very part-time assistant and, with growth, additional staff along with additional responsibility. CCT is now a nationwide organization that is financially stable and has served over 3,000 beneficiaries. When I was the only staff person, I did everything, and now my job has changed dramatically. As president/CEO, my job is to be a visionary, to lead and manage the challenges of running a nonprofit organization that serves a vulnerable and disabled population. Fortunately, I am not alone as I have competent and committed staff who believe in our mission.
How has the nonprofit landscape in Richmond changed over the past 25 years?
I have always worked for nonprofit organizations. The structure of these organizations has remained the same. Nonprofits are governed by a board of directors. They are mission-driven and have bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. Fortunately, the nonprofit organizations I have worked for are still operating while others may have closed for various reasons. The community is served and benefits greatly from the services provided by nonprofit organizations.
To learn more about CCT and its work, visit its website or follow it on Facebook.
