FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2014
CONTACT
Mike Carpenter (901) 521-2779 ext. 314
Plough Promotes Midgley to Director of Research and Evaluation
(MEMPHIS) – The Plough Foundation has announced that Katie Midgley, formerly Program Associate, has been promoted to the senior-level position of Director of Research and Evaluation. Midgley joined the Plough Foundation three years ago and has provided the primary leadership for the Foundation’s initiative on aging, the coinciding speakers’ series and newly released request for proposals.
“Throughout the two and a half year study of aging, Katie has insisted on a data-driven approach to how we researched the initiative and how we ultimately evaluate its success,” said Mike Carpenter, Executive Director. She has the experience and creativity to apply that level of rigor to our entire grant-making process.
Prior to joining the Plough Foundation, Midgley served in the role of Community Outreach and Public Policy Associate at the Urban Child Institute where her efforts focused on improving outcomes for children ages 0-3. She has written numerous policy briefs and twice been published in the Journal of Criminal Justice. Midgley earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Mississippi State University and a Masters of Science from the University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences.
“I appreciate the confidence the Foundation leadership has shown in me and the chance to take on this new challenge,” said Midgley. As governments continue to reduce dollars to not-for-profits, all foundations will see an increase in requests. It is critical that we are able to assess the return on investment to both the Foundation and community and use what we learn to inform our decision-making.”
Midgely serves on the Board of Directors of Books from Birth and a former board member of numerous organizations within the community. In 2011, she was chosen as a Leadership Academy Fellow and in 2012 was named to the Memphis Flyer’s list of top 20 under 30.
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Established by Abe Plough in 1960, the Plough Foundation is an independent, private foundation that promotes philanthropic purposes by making grants to tax-exempt organizations for the good of Shelby County. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for the organization’s finances and strategic direction.