HOUSTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF) will welcome Mark Folkes in the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer in April. Folkes, who has a strong track record for effectively growing organizations, as well as a passion for creating positive community impact through philanthropy, will join the GHCF leadership team to expand the community foundation's donor base and reach within the Greater Houston region and beyond.
"I'm honored and beyond excited to be a part of such a major player in Houston's philanthropic landscape," said Folkes. "As a leader, I'm focused on aggressive growth through data analysis, deep relationship building, and a clear action orientation that's focused on positive outcomes for the communities we serve. Together with donors and partners, I believe the foundation is poised to grow to support a thriving and diverse Houston by amplifying impact strategically and collaboratively."
Folkes has more than a decade's worth of experience working within the Gulf Coast area's philanthropic space. In his role as Managing Director of Stages, one of Houston's largest nonprofit performing arts producers, Folkes has driven significant growth, with staff and budget more than doubling during his six-year tenure. Most notably, Folkes facilitated planning and fundraising for Stages' impressive, fully funded $35.8 million three-theater campus known as The Gordy that opened in January 2020. Prior to his work with Stages, Folkes supported strategic fundraising growth for the Houston Symphony, where he helped double annual individual contributed revenue, as well as Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast.
"At Greater Houston Community Foundation, it is always our aim to create positive and meaningful change by growing with and for our community. Integrating a chief growth officer to our team is a natural progression of this goal," said Stephen Maislin, President and CEO of Greater Houston Community Foundation. "I'm confident in Mark's ability to not only grow us as an organization, but, more importantly, as a known force for good in the community."
As Chief Growth Officer, Folkes will be charged with cultivating and engaging the community foundation's donor base, building and strengthening GHCF's relationships across the Greater Houston region, leading strategic planning, and driving business development across the board. Through these activities, the foundation will be able to better convene and catalyze lasting positive change for Houston with its donors.
To learn more about this and other news from Greater Houston Community Foundation, contact Rachel Young at ryoung@ghcf.org or visit http://www.ghcf.org.
About Greater Houston Community Foundation
Greater Houston Community Foundation, one of Houston's largest grant makers and leaders in philanthropic impact, has served the greater Houston community for 25 years. The organization supports high profile community and donor initiatives with the most comprehensive philanthropic resources, expertise, and innovative platforms. Greater Houston Community Foundation is widely considered the go-to partner for high-profile philanthropic partnerships in the Greater Houston area, including major disaster relief initiatives, such as the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund as well as the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. Greater Houston Community Foundation leads collaborations that support the wellbeing and vitality of Houston, including Understanding Houston, in partnership with Rice Kinder Institute. The Foundation provides individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and advisors with the ability to expand their philanthropic impact. For more information, please visit, http://www.ghcf.org.
Media Contact
Rachel Young, Greater Houston Community Foundation, +1 (832) 477-4951, ryoung@ghcf.org
SOURCE Greater Houston Community Foundation
Share this article