NEWS

The Davidson Community Foundation has elected Bruce McMillen to its board of advisors.

Bruce McMillen

McMillen, a Davidson resident since 1989, has held leadership roles in business, local government and community service. After graduating from Princeton University and Harvard Business School, he worked as the CFO of four companies over a 35-year career. Locally, he spent six terms, from 1995 to 2007, as a Davidson Town Commissioner, and he served on the boards of several nonprofits, including board chair of Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, Actors Contemporary Ensemble and Opera Carolina. More recently, he was on the boards of Supportive Housing Communities and the Davidson Housing Coalition and served as co-president of the St. Alban’s Neighborhood Association Council of Stewards. McMillen’s wife, Sally, is a retired History professor at Davidson College.

Davidson Community Foundation was established by residents to bolster nonprofits serving the community. By working with local leaders and donors, its goal is to build and distribute funding to address Davidson’s most pressing needs. This citizen-driven initiative is designed to expand local philanthropy and direct it to where it’s most needed.

Launched at the beginning of COVID, the foundation immediately raised nearly $500,000 and distributed $350,000 in grants to nonprofit partners. More recently, it has led community efforts to establish eight permanently affordable townhome units in the Parkside Commons on Jetton Street. Last year, the foundation awarded a $22,000 grant to the Town of Davidson to assist residents most severely impacted by Mecklenburg County’s new tax assessments. The support helped some 100 residents.

The foundation now is partnering with Habitat for Humanity and the Town of Davidson on a critical home repair program for homeowners in the West Davidson community. This program is helping residents stay in their homes and slow displacement from gentrification. The foundation has committed $75,000 for each of the next two years.

“Davidson is an amazing community, but there are needs that are not always apparent, and everyday challenges many residents face just to make ends meet,” says Chris Ahearn, the foundation’s chair. “The Davidson Community Foundation’s goal is to enhance the lives of our neighbors, now and for generations to come.”

About the Davidson Community Foundation