CATHERINE GOWEN
DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL GIVING

As director of institutional giving, Catherine helps regional corporations, nonprofits and private foundations to make an impact through their philanthropy. She works with corporations and foundations to establish charitable funds that address critical community issues. For nonprofits, she assists in creating endowment funds, so that quality programs and services can continue for years to come.

Catherine joined Community Foundation Silicon Valley in 2000, where she served as development officer, primarily for institutional funds, and the first Cisco Giving Counselor. At Cisco she helped employees achieve their personal charitable giving goals. She managed several other Cisco programs including boardnetUSA, where she helped develop a board service e-learning for employees, and the Habitat for Humanity Build Grant program; as well as philanthropy communications.

Prior to joining CFSV, Catherine was a program manager in Hewlett Packard’s corporate philanthropy group managing numerous local and national grant initiatives. Catherine began her nonprofit career with the American Red Cross, working in both the Palo Alto and San Diego chapters. She managed a variety of development projects, from outreach to special events.

Catherine has a bachelor’s in journalism from San Diego State University. She enjoys taking continuing studies courses at Stanford University, and she currently serves on the board of Preservation Action Council San José and on the steering committee for the Entrepreneurs Foundation. She is a graduate of Leadership Mountain View. A Bay Area native, Catherine lives in downtown Mountain View.