North Texas Community Foundation has appointed Laura Q. McWhorter, CFRE, as the Community Foundation’s first chief philanthropy officer. McWhorter’s hiring comes as the Community Foundation implements a 5-year strategic plan expanding the Community Foundation’s reach and enhancing its suite of philanthropic services to effect positive change in our community. The Board of Directors unanimously approved the plan to position North Texas Community Foundation as a focal point for local philanthropy with the capacity to serve our region for generations to come. The creation of the chief philanthropy officer role is a direct outgrowth of the strategic plan.
“We are thrilled to welcome Laura to the Community Foundation’s leadership team,” said Rose Bradshaw, president/CEO of North Texas Community Foundation. “She brings a powerful combination of experience and proven accomplishment to the role, and that’s reflected by the broad and deep respect she has earned in our community. I know the Community Foundation will benefit tremendously from Laura’s leadership as CPO.”
In this role, McWhorter will lead asset development and donor relations, focusing on achieving the goals set forth in the strategic plan to grow assets and help individuals invest for impact in our community. McWhorter will develop strategies to ensure an extraordinary fundholder experience and provide flexible, charitable solutions to meet fundholders’ needs. She will also direct marketing and communications efforts.
“The Community Foundation is poised to expand its reach and strengthen relationships with fundholders who care deeply about our community’s well-being. I look forward to being a part of the effort to bring the Community Foundation to the next level, making an even larger impact in our community,” said McWhorter.
McWhorter comes to North Texas Community Foundation from the Texas Health Resources Foundation where she has served since 1997 becoming vice president in 2005. During her tenure at Texas Health Resources Foundation, she played a key role in many campaigns, including the Jane and John Justin Patient Surgical Tower at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, Bloxom Tower, Harris Methodist Heart Center, Jones Tower Renovation, Wellness for Life Program and Mobile Units and the Well into the Future Campaign. McWhorter also provided leadership that contributed to the City of Fort Worth’s designation as the largest Blue Zones Community® in the country.
Over the course of her career, McWhorter has received numerous awards, including being named a Fort Worth Business Press’ “Great Woman of Texas,” 2011 Recipient; 2011 DFW Hospital Council “Young Healthcare Executive of the Year” Nominee, 2011; Community Service Award, Texas Health Resources, System Services, 2009; Fort Worth Business Press “Forty Under Forty,” 2004 Recipient.
“Laura is an exceptional leader who brings insight and proven relationship-building capacity to North Texas Community Foundation,” said Board Chair Al Saenz. “Our community deserves only the very best. I’m proud of the fact that we are building the team to deliver on that promise.”