Ann Silver and the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce: Community Engagement through Philanthropy

Charting the course of commerce while nurturing the spirit of community, Ann Silver's dynamic leadership is both the engine and the anchor of the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce. Since 2016, Ann has served as CEO of the largest business organization in northern Nevada. With over 2,300 member businesses and organizations employing more than 120,000 residents, The Chamber plays a significant role in our community.  

If you spend any time talking with Ann, it soon becomes clear that The Chamber means business, offering a laundry list of services and initiatives all designed to help further the interests of its members. These include leadership programs, networking events, civics education, and wide-ranging support and advocacy for businesses and nonprofits of all sizes and sectors.  

Ann is the guiding force behind these initiatives, and she takes that responsibility seriously. As a veteran leader and community advocate, she helps support the growth and prosperity of the region not just through her business acumen and heartfelt philanthropy. One of the ways she carries the torch is by volunteering with the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada.  

Now celebrating 25 years in operation, the Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter, supporting various charitable efforts by managing donor-advised funds, scholarship programs, and endowments.  

Ann believes that the Community Foundation, a proud Reno + Sparks Chamber member since 2003, is a "one-of-a-kind organization in our area" that works to improve the quality of life in the community by promoting well-informed local philanthropy. So, when she was invited in 2019 to serve on the Northern Nevada Endowment Fund Advisory Committee, she was eager to volunteer. "If I can do some small part, that's what I want to do." The advisory committee is composed of community members, each with their own skills and interests. They help make informed decisions on how the Community Foundation should distribute the endowment's funds. 

While Ann's role is already closely attuned to community issues, she admits the committee has offered her fresh insight into needs around education, workforce development, housing, infrastructure, and homelessness. "It was educational for me." 

The Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce also believes in the positive power of philanthropy. "We are The Chamber, and we care about our thousands of businesses and nonprofits that are members. When contributing funding to a nonprofit organization because we want to see commerce thrive in this community, and we consider nonprofits as businesses in their own way. We want to see everyone do well. When everyone does well, all boats rise." 

When the Chamber's board and partners wanted to be able to give to specific nonprofits or various causes throughout the year, they decided to set up their own donor-advised fund. Ann notes, "We thought the Community Foundation was the best place to invest that money." This type of fund is a philanthropic tool that allows individuals, families, or organizations to contribute assets, enjoy immediate tax benefits, and then recommend how those funds should be distributed. 

When asked if she would recommend other leaders to work with the Community Foundation, she emphatically replies, "Absolutely! And I always do." She highlights the Community Foundation's expertise in managing and directing funds to address community needs. She encourages leaders to learn more about how the Community Foundation can support their organization's goals. 

If you hope to discover how the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada can partner with your business or nonprofit agency to achieve its mission through effective philanthropy, contact Lyndsey Crossley at lcrossley@nevadafund.org or (775) 333-5499 x 120.