Chanta Williams
Chanta Williams is an experienced trust–based philanthropy practitioner with over a decade of expertise driving organizational strategy and cultivating partnerships for equity–centered programs. Before joining NUF, Chanta was employed by Whole Foods Market Foundation as Director of Communication and Revenue. In this role, she took the lead in reimagining the Foundation’s brand after the merger of three of its previous causes. She oversaw long–term fund development strategies including a major team realignment, growing a $16M programmatic spend, and diversifying the Foundation’s revenue streams. In 2023, Chanta was named Interim Executive Director of the Foundation, managing global philanthropic efforts to improve children’s nutrition and build equity across food systems. She balanced a $6M budget while supervising a team of program directors and leaders spanning development and communications. Chanta also deepened community investments by $1.7M and never stopped aiming to disrupt philanthropy by shifting the power dynamic between communities and funders.
Early–career experiences informed Chanta’s commitment to equity. In one of her first roles, Chanta worked extensively with Polished Pebbles, a youth mentoring program affiliated with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Housing Authority. She instituted innovative programming while maintaining meaningful relationships with students. In Chanta’s next role at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, she guided funding initiatives to support children with incarcerated mothers and provide expungement and social services for previously incarcerated individuals. Reflecting on the circumstances and narratives of many clients, Chanta realized resources to ensure equitable first chances for young people and communities are vital. They would prevent many from ever requiring a “second chance.” Next, Chanta served as Individual Giving Manager for both Mikva Challenge and the American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education. There, she managed large portfolios of donors, planned events, and spearheaded fundraising campaigns for many causes, including the detention of child migrants at the U.S.–Mexico border. Additionally, Chanta remained acutely focused on community investment storytelling, which emphasized asset–based language and ensured client stories were told with dignity.
As an esteemed leader, Chanta has provided consultancy services for numerous nonprofits, delivering distinct expertise in grant–making, strategic planning, and board governance. Recognized for her commitment to community uplift and professional development, she has participated in prestigious leadership development programs with the African–American Leadership Institute, the Young Nonprofit Professional Network, and the Association for Fundraising Professionals.
Chanta graduated cum laude from Spelman College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In service to the community, Chanta has mentored first–generation college students for over a decade, serves as President of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Austin–San Antonio Chapter, and reviews scholarships for the Wentcher Educational Foundation – a former Wentcher Scholar herself.
As a National Urban Fellow, Chanta is ready to catalyze her personal and professional growth and become a more effective agent of change. This extends to dismantling the status quo in corporate America and reshaping public policy to transform how both the private and public sectors promote DEI, address racial inequities, and engage with – and serve – communities.