Robert Kent

As chief philanthropy officer, Robert leads a team of grantmaking experts to leverage CFT’s philanthropic resources for positive impact across Texas. Through grantmaking, community engagement, philanthropic advising, and learning and insights, CFT’s philanthropy team helps advance the organization’s vision for creating thriving communities for all. Robert provides strategic vision to align philanthropic resources with CFT’s mission, leading to responsive outcomes that positively impact the community.

Prior to joining CFT, Robert spent the past decade with Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit that works to make parks and nature accessible to all. He led the organization’s work to acquire over to acquire over 400 acres of land for new parks in Dallas, help pass two bond packages providing over $655 million for parks and trails, and connected community members, stakeholders, and donors to realize a shared vision for parks and public spaces that benefit all. Before working for TPL, Robert was the policy director for the North Texas Commission.

Robert holds a bachelor’s from Baylor University where he studied economics and environmental science, and a master’s in international economic development from the University of Glasgow.