Staff
Freeport Community FoundationMichelle DeHaven
Chief Executive Officer
Michelle DeHaven-Quast is a fundraising and nonprofit professional with more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of operations and leadership. As CEO, Michelle DeHaven leads the Freeport Community Foundation, ensuring that FCF makes progress towards accomplishing its mission to empower nonprofits to develop solutions that help northwest Illinois thrive. Her goal is to help communities throughout northwest Illinois build bridges to the future.
While the bulk of her career has been in development and nonprofit management, her professional experience began as Editorial Coordinator and Sports Writer for the Freeport Journal Standard. Prior to her role at FCF, she worked in development for March of Dimes and Arthritis Foundation, Marketing Manager at Discovery Center Museum, and Communications Director for the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
A native of Stephenson County, Michelle graduated from Dakota High School and can trace her family roots in northwest Illinois back to the mid-1800s. She attended college at the University of Northern Iowa. In her spare time, she loves to cook, garden, and enjoy the outdoors. Michelle is married to Bruce Quast, a professional cartoonist and Director of Exhibits for the Discovery Center Museum.
She has two grown (step)sons, Matthew (wife Amanda and granddaughter Natalee) and Samuel (wife Faith), and a dog named Jackie.
Email: Director@freeportcf.org
Sarah Flashing-Clow
Community Relations Director
Sarah Flashing-Clow serves the Freeport Community Foundation as Community Relations Director. Her primary responsibility is to carry out the Foundation’s marketing & communications objectives by developing and implementing marketing strategies that elevate awareness of FCF and its engagement in northwest Illinois.
Throughout her career, Sarah has served in a variety of leadership capacities, helping organizations and businesses develop and deliver their message and experience growth as a result. As a web developer with a strong marketing IQ, she has been able to help clients communicate effectively, especially in the digital environment, and achieve their goals.
Sarah has been working in nonprofit communications since 2004 and has worked for organizations in Stephenson County and all around the United States. Prior to moving to Freeport, Sarah served as Executive Director of the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Marketing Director at North Star Casino just outside of Green Bay. She has a masters degree in Ethics from Trinity International University, married to Bill Clow and mom to three adult boys.
Email: PR@freeportcf.org