The Community Foundation of Washington County (CFWC) is pleased to announce the addition of Darla Herrin as the Foundation’s new Executive Director. With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality and business development sectors, Darla brings a wealth of knowledge, vision, and leadership to the Foundation. Her responsibilities will include overseeing all aspects of the Community Foundation’s operations, helping new donors set up funds to realize their charitable dreams, working with existing fund advisors, and administering the Foundation’s grant-making process.
According to Daryl Richards, Jr., Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, “Darla’s educational background, paired with her diverse work experience, made her an excellent choice to lead our Community Foundation into the future. We firmly believe that Darla will elevate our Foundation's service to our fund advisors, donors, partner nonprofit organizations, and the entire community.”
As a proven leader, Darla brings a wide range of skills to the Foundation, drawing from her extensive background in the hotel, restaurant, and wine industries. Her expertise includes customer service, business development, marketing and public relations, branding, event planning and sales, operational management, and accounting.
A Louisiana native, Darla attended Louisiana State University and Southern Louisiana University before earning her accounting degree from Western Governors University. Most recently, Darla worked for Hilton Hotels, leading an accounting and data analysis team on several special projects for the organization. Excited about using her business development skills to grow and expand the Community Foundation, Darla stated, “I am honored to join the Community Foundation of Washington County and am eager to meet the incredible community here in Washington County and the surrounding region. The opportunity to work with donors to develop and grow philanthropy to best serve our community for generations to come, as well as to collaborate with local and regional nonprofit organizations, fund advisors, and key stakeholders to drive positive outcomes through our grant-making and programmatic efforts, touches my heart. Together with the Board of Trustees, I believe we can truly elevate the work of the Foundation.”
Since its inception in 2012, the Community Foundation of Washington County has maintained a single, unwavering mission: connecting people who care with causes that matter to create a thriving community for all. With more than $4.1 million in managed assets and over 65 funds under the Foundation’s umbrella, CFWC has established an accountable and transparent way for donors to make their philanthropic dreams a reality. Since 2016, CFWC has overseen the investment of over $2.6 million into immediate relief and long-term disaster recovery efforts, serving qualified clients impacted by natural disasters in Washington County and the backwater flooding and devastating tornadoes in Sharkey, Issaquena, and Humphreys counties. Additionally, the Foundation directed more than $275,000 to food pantries, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based institutions providing essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic through the MS Cares for Food Pantries and Nonprofits Grant Program and the COVID-19 Community Relief Fund established at the Community Foundation. Through the Washington County Food Access Improvement Fund, CFWC has infused over $167,000 toward improving access to fresh and healthy foods for community residents in Washington County, providing grant funding for food pantries, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based institutions that serve as “boots on the ground,” implementing programs and projects to assist those in greatest need.
“While the Foundation has made an incredible impact serving our community in the face of natural disasters and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are equally proud that we have built up endowments totaling more than $1 million that will serve numerous nonprofit organizations and support countless worthwhile projects in our community for generations to come. The true power of a community foundation lies in its ability to bring individuals, corporations, and nonprofit organizations together around a neutral table to collaborate, raise funds, and invest those funds to best serve their community. We are thrilled to add Darla to our Foundation’s leadership team and look forward to what we will accomplish with her at the helm,” concludes Lisa Percy, a founder of the Community Foundation and a current member of the Board of Trustees.
CFWC’s vision is to be the trusted leader, catalyst, and resource that encourages philanthropy, combines resources, and connects donors to community needs now and for future generations.
