Maria Chertok has been working with the Foundation (previously known as CAF Russia) since 1997, since May 2005 as a Director. She has been involved in a number of exciting innovations in the Russian philanthropic sector, including development of community foundations model, online giving and #GivingTuesday. Maria is a member of the Editorial Board of Alliance magazine and a member of the management team of Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace (PSJP). She authored a number of articles and research materials on various aspects of philanthropy and civil society development in Russia and globally and served as a guest editor of Alliance magazine issues on emerging market philanthropy and philanthropy infrastructure.
In the past Maria served as Chair of WINGS (World Initiative for Grant-makers Support), a Council member of the Russian Donors Forum, a Steering Committee member of Grantmakers East Group of the European Foundation Centre and a trustee of Philanthropy Bridge Foundation (UK). She was also a co-organiser of the Olga Alexeeva Memorial Prize.
Before CAF Maria worked at the Moscow office of the Ford Foundation. She graduated cum laude in sociology from the Moscow State University.
*The Charitable Foundation for Philanthropy Development is considered a foreign agent by the Ministry of Justice of Russia