Chatham Fund Reaches Fundraising Milestone and Adds New Talent

The Chatham Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation has reached its first fundraising milestone of $500,000; furthering the organization’s mission of improving and enriching the quality of life in Chatham. As The Chatham Fund enters its next phase of fundraising, its Advisory Committee has voted to welcome community members Lynne O’Brien and David Oppenheim to its ranks.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, The Chatham Fund is poised to make a significant contribution to the community of Chatham for years to come,” said Chris Rhinesmith, Chair of the Fund. “With the additions of Lynne and David to our Advisory Committee, we gain two very accomplished professionals whose expertise will help guide the organization through this next phase.

Lynne O’Brien graduated from Princeton University with an AB in Political Science and earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She has worked in advertising and with a lobbying firm in Washington, DC, focusing on healthcare clients. Subsequently, as director of the Washington Government Affairs Office of Dupont Merck, she worked with members of Congress on issues involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, tax legislation and health care reform.

In 2005 Mrs. O’Brien founded Pantry Partners, an organization on Cape Cod that enabled summer visitors to donate unused food and household items to local pantries. Mrs. O’Brien’s extensive volunteer work includes serving as chairman of the Northern Virginia Alumni Schools Committee and as Class of 1984 Annual Fund agent for Princeton University; fundraising for the National Committee for Aspire; and The Potomac School. Mrs. O’Brien and her husband Gregory live in McLean, Virginia, with their three children.

David Oppenheim graduated from Clark University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He has been investing and developing real estate in Chatham since the 1970s. Most notably, Mr. Oppenheim has owned the Chatham Yacht Basin since 1987 and The Wayside Inn and Wild Goose Tavern since 1997.

Known locally for his commitment to philanthropy, Mr. Oppenheim supports the Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation, WE CAN, Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation, Cape Cod Creative Arts Center and is a lifetime member of the Chatham Conservation Foundation. He is a former Director of the United Way of Cape Cod. Mr. Oppenheim and his wife have called Chatham home since 1972.