Search begins for new NC Community Foundation CEO

After two decades at the helm of the North Carolina Community Foundation, President and CEO Jennifer Tolle Whiteside will step down at the end of 2026.

Tolle Whiteside joined NCCF in October 2006 as its second president and CEO since the foundation began in 1988. During her tenure, she guided the organization through significant growth and expanded its reach across the state, with a particular emphasis on rural communities.

NCCF works with donors to establish charitable funds supporting causes and organizations they value. Those funds are permanently invested and managed by the foundation, continuing to grow and creating long-term giving that benefits communities for generations.

A national search will be conducted for NCCF’s next president and CEO. Additional information will be posted on the foundation’s website as it becomes available.

Under Tolle Whiteside’s leadership, NCCF’s assets grew more than sixfold, surpassing $600 million through donor contributions and investment returns. The number of donor-established funds increased from 900 to more than 1,300.

Annual grants and scholarships also rose sharply, from $4.5 million in 2006 to more than $30 million in 2025. Over the course of her tenure, the foundation awarded more than $300 million in grants and scholarships, supporting thousands of nonprofits and students across North Carolina.

The foundation has played a key role in responding to crises, distributing more than $32 million over the past 15 years through funds dedicated to community support during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath of hurricanes, including Hurricane Helene.

“Jennifer’s leadership has transformed the foundation, and she has established NCCF as a trusted statewide resource and partner,” said John Willingham, chair of NCCF’s Board of Directors. “Thanks to Jennifer, we have grown our philanthropic support for rural North Carolina tremendously.”

“Since my very first day, I have been deeply honored and humbled by the opportunity to work with generous North Carolinians who put their trust in us to support their charitable giving,” Tolle Whiteside said. “We have built a caring, talented team to support their generosity and, after two decades, the time is right for new leadership. I look forward to seeing what comes next for the foundation.”

— AKC