Jeff Howell
Jeff Howell is a strategic nonprofit leader with more than a decade of experience advancing equity through philanthropy, public-private partnerships, and community-led solutions. As United Way of the Greater Triangle’s chief program officer, he has stewarded more than $35 million in investments since the pandemic, leading initiatives like the Action Labs and Future of Work to drive systemic change across the region. Known for building trust, fostering collaboration, and aligning cross-sector partners, Jeff centers community voice in every aspect of his work. His leadership has helped transform UWGT’s approach to grantmaking, evaluation, and regional strategy—earning high marks in empowerment, responsiveness, and impact.
What Drew Me to UWGT?
When I was first introduced to UWGT, I was leading SEEDS, a grassroots organization in downtown Durham. I approached UWGT with a proposal to support a leadership transition that would better reflect the community we served. The conversations left a lasting impression—highlighting UWGT’s commitment to trust-based philanthropy, community voice, and equity. That early experience shaped my belief in what philanthropy could be: a force for systemic change grounded in partnership, not power. Today, I bring that lens to my work at UWGT—ensuring that our institutional practices center and uplift small, community-rooted nonprofits like the one I once led.
Top 5 Strengths, per the CliftonStrengths Assessment:
- Restorative — Skilled at figuring out what is wrong and resolving it
- Strategic — Earned expertise with quickly weighing varied paths to success and determining the best way forward
- Empathy — Capable of sensing other people’s feelings by imagining themselves in others’ lives or situations
- Individualization — Adept at figuring out how different people can work together productively
- Self-Assurance — Guided by an inner compass that gives them certainty in their decisions