Alison O'Carroll

Alison O’Carroll joined the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta as their Director and Legal Counsel in November 2019. In this role, Alison works with current and potential donors to the Foundation to help them navigate the often complex legal and tax implications of their charitable giving. She also works closely with financial, legal and tax advisors who assist clients with their estate planning and philanthropic giving to the Foundation. Alison is a nationally recognized expert in nonprofit fundraising and estate planning with a career that spans international relief and development, higher education and cancer research. She most recently served as Executive Director for the Office of Planned Giving for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. In this role, she worked with donors on large and complex gifts, and partnered with professional advisors to serve the philanthropic needs of their clients. She led the planned giving advisory committee for Fred Hutch and was a member of the Estate Planning Council (EPC) of Seattle. With additional positions as Senior Director of Development (planned giving) at CARE in Atlanta and Director of Development at the University of Washington School of Public Health, Alison has worked in the field of development and planned giving for over 25 years. She also served as a senior consultant with PG Calc for nine years, working with dozens of nonprofits across the country, advising and guiding them through their planned giving programs and donor engagement. Alison serves in local leadership roles, including Board Member of the Georgia Planned Giving Council, and has spoken at various conferences and meetings across the country. Current memberships include the Washington State Bar Association, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (formerly the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning), and the American Council on Gift Annuities. Alison is a past member, board member and President of the Washington Planned Giving Council (WPGC). Alison has roots in Atlanta and connections to the professional advisor community locally. She graduated from the Emory University School of Law and the Goizueta Business School. After admission to the State Bar of Georgia, Alison practiced law at King & Spalding