Community Foundation of Texas names new chief philanthropy officer » Dallas innovates

Community Foundation of Texas names Robert Kent as chief philanthropy officer [Photo: CFT]

The Community Foundation of Texas announced that Robert Kent has been selected as chief philanthropy officer and executive team member for CFT, the largest community foundation in Texas and one of the largest community foundations in the United States.

Kent will join CFT on June 17 to lead the philanthropy division of grantmaking professionals and provide a strategic vision that aligns CFT's mission with responsive outcomes that positively impact communities. It turns out.

“Robert Kent is a strong advocate for North Texas, with extensive community knowledge and advocacy experience,” CFT President and CEO Wayne White said in a statement. . “Robert’s experience working with stakeholders, donors, and elected leaders locally, regionally, and statewide, as well as his deep understanding of the issues facing our neighborhoods, make him an excellent candidate for this role. have become.”

Kent said he is excited about the new opportunity to improve the quality of life for Dallas and Texas residents through this leadership role.

“The Community Foundation of Texas is an outstanding organization with a strong track record of helping make Texas a healthier, fairer and more livable state and helping all communities thrive,” he said in a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to use my skills and experience to benefit the organization and the communities it serves.”

A common focus on public green space

For the past decade, Kent has worked with the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Dallas, Texas, to improve the health, climate, equity, and community benefits of parks and nature for all. We are working on making it available. He most recently served as Vice President and Texas State Director, a position he has held since 2019.

During that time, Kent led the organization's work to acquire more than 400 acres of land for a new park in Dallas, helped pass two bond packages providing more than $655 million for parks and trails, and helped pass two bond packages providing more than $655 million for parks and trails in Dallas. We developed an open space plan for the city, transformed vacant lots and public schoolyards for use as neighborhood parks, and community members to realize a shared vision for parks and public spaces that benefit everyone. , connected stakeholders, and donors.

CFT says it has a long history of supporting TPL, and recent grants include the development of the 1.8-acre South Oak Cliff Renaissance Park and Trail near South Oak Cliff High School and the creation of the 40-acre Judge Charles Rose He said that it was against. , Senior Park near Paul Quinn University. CFT said these two projects align with its vision of thriving communities, as access to green space can improve quality of life.

Under Kent's leadership, TPL has increased the percentage of Dallas residents who have a park within a 10-minute walk of their home from 54% to 73% over the past 10 years, according to CFT. TPL has many successes in the conservation field, including protecting the 300-acre Big Cedar Preserve in Southwest Dallas, leading efforts for the Dallas Greening Initiative, and executing plans to finally realize an 80-year-old vision. I got it. The Five Mile Creek Greenbelt is a 27-mile network of new trails connecting three of his signature parks in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood.

Prior to joining TPL, Kent served as policy director for the North Texas Commission.

“Robert has the right experience to lead CFT at an exciting time for our organization as we seek to further leverage the convening power of philanthropy and expand our impact in our communities,” said White. Stated.

According to CFT, Kent will be the fourth executive to join CFT's expanded executive leadership team under White's tenure. Recent appointments since Wayne joined CFT in July 2023 include the hiring of Calvert Collins Bratton as Chief Relationship Officer, the promotion of Carolyn Newnham to General Counsel, and Nadine – Includes the promotion of Mr. DeChaussay to chief strategy and insight officer.