For more than 16 years, David Snider has helped shape how Foundation For The Carolinas serves donors, strengthens nonprofits and builds community across the region. As Vice President and Program Officer, he manages private foundations, leads FFTC’s regional affiliates in Lexington and Salisbury, and oversees the Plus Collective, FFTC’s LGBTQ+ giving initiative. But what truly defines his work isn’t just the breadth of his portfolio, it’s the depth of his commitment to relationships, history and community impact.

Rooted in Service from the Start

David grew up in Charlotte in a family where community involvement wasn’t just encouraged — it was expected. His mother started a reading clinic at his elementary school. His father launched a mentoring program for underserved youth. His stepfather, publisher of The Charlotte Observer, served on the Knight Foundation board. “Through my life, I saw what it meant to do something for the community,” David said. “That shaped everything.”

That early exposure to civic leadership sparked a lifelong passion for nonprofits and philanthropy. Before joining FFTC, David spent 17 years in the sector, beginning at The Lynnwood Foundation, where he helped preserve and reimagine the historic Duke Mansion as a community treasure. He later joined the Arts & Science Council, where he deepened his grantmaking and capacity-building expertise. Both roles had something in common: building from the ground up, bringing stakeholders together and honoring history while planning for the future.

A Relationship-Driven Approach to Philanthropy

David Snider and fellow FFTC teammate Tracy Russ in their early years at the Foundation.

Since joining FFTC in 2009, David has approached every board, donor and community partner with the same core philosophy: strong philanthropy is built on trust, relationships and thoughtful listening.

“Working with people is at the foundation of everything I do,” he said. “It’s about anticipating what others need to make good decisions, and making sure they have everything in front of them to make impactful ones.”

That philosophy is especially important in his work with private foundations and regional affiliates, which collectively grant more than $2.5 million a year. Whether he’s stewarding a multigenerational family foundation or advising a local community board, David sees himself as both a facilitator and a guide — helping groups honor donor intent while evolving to meet current community needs.

One of the shifts he’s most proud of? Helping boards move beyond program-based grants toward more flexible, unrestricted funding. “It’s like turning an aircraft carrier,” he said. “But when boards trust us, we can help them fund in a way that gives nonprofits the greatest chance to succeed.”

Seeing the Big Picture

David has also invested in leadership beyond FFTC, participating in Leadership Charlotte, Leadership North Carolina and the Leadership Development Initiative.

Those experiences give him a unique 360-degree view of philanthropy — from donor engagement and board governance to nonprofit leadership and on-the-ground impact. “Serving on boards isn’t just community service,” he said. “It helps me understand what strong board operations look like and how our partners experience philanthropy from the other side of the table.”

Inspired by Impact, Fueled by History

Ask David what keeps him motivated after decades in this work, and his answer is simple: seeing organizations thrive. “We’re not just giving money away,” he said. “We’re facilitating a trusted process so boards can make the best decisions — and nonprofits can do what they do best.”

His love of history also shapes his approach. A Davidson College history major and the self-appointed “historian” of FFTC’s Community Programs team, David often serves as the keeper of institutional memory — connecting past innovation to present-day strategy. During his time with The Lynnwood Foundation, he co-founded FFTC’s Impact Fund for Emerging Philanthropists, a collective giving initiative that engaged young professionals in learning about nonprofits, participating in grantmaking and building a lifelong commitment to community.

That appreciation for legacy shows up in his personal life too. He collects vintage LEGOs and even traveled to Denmark to visit the LEGO headquarters and study the evolution of their design. “Seeing how things were built, and why, helps me understand how to build things better now,” he said.

It All Comes Back to Relationships

Whether working with a rural food bank or a large family foundation, David knows that real change happens through trust, collaboration and shared vision. It’s why he loves getting into communities, working with people and listening first.

“Our work is about interconnectedness,” he said. “Every board, every nonprofit, every donor — we’re all part of the same community. When we build those relationships, we can do incredible things together.”