Girl's Best Friend Foundation (GBF) closed November 2007. 
GBF’s records are archived with Special Collections of the University
of Illinois, Chicago.  In fall 2008, they will be made public: www.uic.edu/depts/lib/specialcoll.

Administrative Director/Grants Manager: Christine Plautz
Executive Director: Alice Cottingham
Financial Manager: Ellen Sadur

Alice Cottingham has, over the last five years, helped GBF develop strategic direction, deepen and extend grant making and other resources, and thoughtfully plan for the Foundation’s closing in 2008. She has the privilege and pleasure of working with coworkers to create a feminist, family-friendly, and highly productive workplace -- with the enthusiastic support of GBF’s exceptional Board. Alice’s previous experience includes directing the Fund for Immigrants and Refugees, the Crossroads Fund, and Chicago Abused Women Coalition . She is a former board member of the Center for Impact Research, Chicago Abortion Fund, the editorial board of the Chicago Reporter, and the advisory committee of Latinos Progresando. She is a co-founder of the Chicago Girls’ Coalition and the Women’s Justice Fund. Alice is also an enthusiastic classroom volunteer and co-chairs the School Improvement Team at her son’s elementary school.

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Christine Kim-Tai Plautz joined the GBF staff in 2002 after moving from Madison, Wisconsin. She coordinates GBF grant cycle activities; provides staff support in grantmaking, evaluation, bookkeeping, and Board activities; and manages the GBF website, database, and all things IT/IS related. Christine chairs the Chicago chapter of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, and is one of the co-chairs of the Asian Giving Circle. She is also on the board of the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois and a co-coordinator of the annual Breakin’ It Down conference that makes the foundation world more comprehensible to those seeking funding. Her former work was as the Phone Canvas Director of Clean Wisconsin.

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Ellen Sadur is responsible for budgeting and financial analysis, maintenance of all accounting and financial records, and administering personnel benefits. Ellen moved into the nonprofit world in 2000, after more than 20 years of financial planning and reporting in the private sector at Sara Lee. She holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University, earned a master's of management degree from Northwestern University, and is a CPA. Ellen is fundraising co-chair at her twins’ high school.

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