For the past year, Philanthropy Southwest’s Board of Directors has engaged in two critically important endeavors: developing a new vision for a thriving Southwestern U.S. through the power of collaborative philanthropy; and identifying the ideal leader to bring that vision to life. We have solicited feedback from all our members and are grateful for the input provided to help guide our path forward.
After a thorough and inclusive nationwide search, I am very pleased to announce that Tony Fundaro has been named the next CEO of Philanthropy Southwest, effective April 1, 2019. Tony is a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader in the philanthropic sector with more than 20 years of executive leadership experience creating lasting impacts in local, national, and global communities. In his various leadership roles with foundations, nonprofits, and businesses, he has planned and executed the visions of many organizations, placing a high value on relationship building, collaborations, fundraising, and organizational development.
Tony joins Philanthropy Southwest from PSW Member Social Venture Partners Dallas (SVP), a community of philanthropists committed to strengthening the city through collective impact. At SVP, he served on the executive team as vice president of development growing their partnerships, thought leadership influence, and revenue base. Prior to his time at SVP, he was an executive at Meeting Professional International Foundation, a 60,000-person global community of meeting professionals in 19 countries. Other past roles include: founder and executive director of Life in Deep Ellum, a cultural center built for the artistic, social, and economic benefit of a historical art community; founder of Life Communities, a foundation that focused on community development in underserved urban communities around the globe; and co-founder of the emerging leaders conference “Engage Dallas,” as well as the DART Bus Stop Project in Southern Dallas. Tony also serves on the Dallas Mayor’s Star Council Board of Directors and was its 2016—2017 volunteer president.
When asked about the opportunity, Tony said: “The priority for Philanthropy Southwest is clear: to build on our legacy, bolstered by the significant influence of loyal members who inspire our future. Our growth will require an entrepreneurial and creative mindset, committed collaborations, and a passion to innovate, educate, and evolve—as we work together to foster philanthropic excellence and trust. In partnership with the board of directors, committees, members, and the PSW team, it is my privilege to serve this thriving network and lead our organization into the future.”
Our board is confident that Tony is the right leader to mobilize our association of hundreds of grantmakers—the first of its kind in the nation—so we can maximize philanthropic excellence and trusted partnerships that impact our region’s most pressing issues. We hope you will join us at our Spring Summit on April 16 in Scottsdale, or any one of our upcoming events, where you can meet Tony. You can also connect with Tony beginning April 1 at tony@philanthropysouthwest.org.
On behalf of our board, staff, and new leader, I want to thank you for your continued investment in Philanthropy Southwest as we carry our new vision into the future. We look forward to working together to make philanthropy in our region the very best that it can be.
Very respectfully,
Matt Carpenter
Executive Vice President and COO, El Pomar Foundation
Board President, Philanthropy Southwest