Alan Davis named Whitefish Community Foundation president

Whitefish Community Foundation on Monday named Alan Davis as the philanthropic organization’s new president and CEO.

Davis joins the foundation after working with Whitefish Legacy Partners, where he led that organization’s fundraising efforts to build and maintain the Whitefish Trail since 2015. He will succeed Linda Engh-Grady, who is retiring at the end of December after leading the foundation for 14 years.

“We are excited to welcome Alan to our team,” Whitefish Community Foundation Board Chair Ardy Whisler said in a media release. “Alan has a proven track record of successfully working with Flathead Valley donors and nonprofits, and he understands the needs of our local communities. We are confident that he is the right person to lead the foundation into the future.”

Originally from Knoxville, Davis holds a degree in geology from the College of Charleston. According to the media release, his love of the outdoors brought him and his wife Frances to Whitefish in 2014, where they enjoy biking, climbing, skiing and floating. The couple became parents last year when they welcomed twins to their family.

“I am excited to work with all of our community donors and nonprofits to increase their impact, especially during a time when rapid growth is creating gaps in our community's most basic needs,” Davis said of his new role.

Retiring President and CEO Engh-Grady will work with Davis during the transition process, the foundation release notes.

During her tenure, Engh-Grady grew the organization’s assets from $1 million to about $56 million, including $17 million in permanently endowed assets. In 2015, she created the Great Fish Community Challenge, an annual fundraising platform that has generated over $22 million for more than 85 charities.

Davis will wrap up his work with Whitefish Legacy Partners in December.

“We are very proud of Alan with his many years of conservation work and trust in his ability to serve the valley well in his new role at Whitefish Community Foundation,” Legacy Partners Board Chair Mike Jopek said.

For more information, visit whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.