Following a thorough four-month quest, Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT), the leading community foundation in Texas and among the nation's largest, unveiled the appointment of Robert Kent as chief philanthropy officer and an integral member of the executive leadership team.
Kent is set to commence his role at CFT on June 17, 2024, where he will spearhead the philanthropy department alongside a team of grantmaking professionals. His mission entails providing strategic direction to align CFT's goals with impactful outcomes that benefit the community.
“Robert Kent is a strong advocate for North Texas and has extensive community knowledge and advocacy experience,” said Communities Foundation of Texas President and CEO Wayne White. “Robert’s experience locally, regionally, and across the state in collaborating with stakeholders, donors and elected leaders, as well as his deep understanding of issues facing neighborhoods made him an exceptional candidate for this role.”
For the past decade, Kent dedicated his career to Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit with its Texas headquarters in Dallas. TPL focuses on enhancing the accessibility of parks and nature to promote health, climate sustainability, equity and community well-being.
Holding the position of associate vice president and Texas state director since 2019, Kent facilitated the acquisition of over 400 acres of land for new parks in Dallas, advocated for the passage of two bond packages totaling over $655 million for parks and trails, formulated an open space plan for the city of Fort Worth, repurposed vacant lots and public schoolyards into neighborhood parks and fostered collaboration among community members, stakeholders and donors to realize a collective vision for inclusive parks and public spaces.
Before joining TPL, Kent held the role of policy director at the North Texas Commission. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics and environmental science from Baylor University and his Master of Sciences in international economic development from the University of Glasgow. A native of Dallas, Kent and his family reside near their beloved Arapaho Park.
Kent will be the fourth executive to join CFT’s expanded executive leadership team under White’s tenure.
“Communities Foundation of Texas is an exceptional organization with a strong track record for helping Texas become a more healthy, equitable, and livable state where all communities can thrive,” said Kent. “I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to put my skills and experience into service for the organization and the communities it serves.”
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