Foundation Leader Honored With Order of Long Leaf Pine
North Carolina Community Foundation president and CEO Jennifer Tolle Whiteside receives the state's highest civilian honor as she prepares to step down.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
The North Carolina Community Foundation honored president and CEO Jennifer Tolle Whiteside with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine at a celebration on October 29 at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. Nearly 150 people attended, and Gov. Josh Stein announced the award in a video message.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes more than 40 years of nonprofit and civic leadership by Tolle Whiteside, who is stepping down from her role at the foundation. Her tenure reshaped the organization's scale and reach across the state.
Under Tolle Whiteside, NCCF assets grew more than sixfold to over $600 million, and the foundation awarded more than $300 million in grants and scholarships during her tenure. The number of donor-established charitable funds rose from 900 to more than 1,300, though the source does not detail how these figures compare with peer foundations.
The players
Jennifer Tolle Whiteside
Jennifer Tolle Whiteside is the president and CEO of the North Carolina Community Foundation and previously led Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina.
Josh Stein
Josh Stein is the Governor of North Carolina, who announced the honor in a video message.
North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation is a statewide philanthropic organization that manages charitable funds and awards grants and scholarships.
The details
Tolle Whiteside joined NCCF in October 2006 as its second president and CEO and previously served as the first president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina. Stein recognized her for decades of service in a video message delivered during the celebration.
Timeline
October 2006: Tolle Whiteside joins the North Carolina Community Foundation as its second president and CEO.
October 29, 2026: The North Carolina Community Foundation holds a celebration honoring her at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh.
Season Trajectory
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the state's highest civilian honor, and this award marks a formal recognition of Tolle Whiteside's long tenure as a nonprofit leader. It places her among the state's notable civic figures as she prepares to leave her post.
Residents across North Carolina who rely on community foundation grants and scholarships are affected by leadership changes at the organization. The foundation's funds and grantmaking continue to serve donors and beneficiaries statewide.
The takeaway
Long-term nonprofit leadership can significantly expand a foundation's capacity to direct charitable funding where it is needed. Readers interested in philanthropy can track how community foundations grow their assets and grant programs over time.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in our Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hickory Daily Record.
