Jennifer Tolle Whiteside
President and CEO
About Jennifer
Jennifer Tolle Whiteside serves as President & CEO of the North Carolina Community Foundation. She has led the foundation for nearly 20 years, increasing NCCF’s assets and grantmaking six-fold during her tenure. As NCCF’s second CEO, she is responsible for long-term growth and sustainability, and strategic planning. She loves working every day with generous, passionate and engaged North Carolinians to build community through philanthropic giving.
Jennifer has more than 40 years of experience in nonprofit management and civic affairs. Prior to joining NCCF, she served as the first CEO and president of Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina, a nonprofit organization she grew from one staff member to 14 full-time employees and a statewide network. She is a graduate of the University of Florida, received a master’s degree from Louisiana State University and is an alumna of Leadership North Carolina.
Jennifer has served on numerous nonprofit boards and public commissions, including several legislative appointments. She previously served as chair of the Covenant with North Carolina’s Children, co-chair of the NC Child Fatality Task Force and vice chair of the NC Rural Center. She has also served on the Council on Foundations National Standards board and is currently on the board of A Place at the Table.
She is a recipient of the Old North State Award from the Governor of North Carolina and the Commissioner’s Award from the U.S. Administration on Children, Youth and Families in recognition of her contributions toward the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
She has been named a News & Observer Tar Heel of the Week and has been counted among the Triangle Business Journal’s most influential female leaders. She is a recipient of the Women of Achievement Award by the Federation of Women’s Club and was inducted into Leadership Raleigh’s first Alumni Association Hall of Fame. Jennifer has also been named to Business North Carolina’s annual Power List of the state’s most influential leaders numerous times.
Jennifer lives in Raleigh with her three rescue dogs Bumble, Honey and Maple.
News
NC Community Foundation leader stepping down after 20 years
March 16, 2026
After two decades leading the North Carolina Community Foundation, President & CEO Jennifer Tolle Whiteside will step down at the end of 2026. Jennifer Tolle Whiteside,…