David Whitehead

Biography: I am the senior vice president and chief development officer for AARP and AARP Foundation. I lead all fundraising efforts, including efforts to support charitable, advocacy and social impact programs. I've been in the non-profit world for nearly 25 years and have helped a number of national and international organizations become more effective through strategic investments and revenue growth. I live in Fairfax Virginia with my wife and four children. You can follow me on Twitter @Whitehead_Dave.

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David Whitehead 'sPosts

Do You Live Each Day with Purpose?

Posted on 02/7/2013 by David Whitehead | Philanthropy & Fundraising | Comments

Volunteering | Your LifeWhen you wake up in the morning, do you think to yourself, “I’m so excited, because today I get to… (fill in the blank)? No? I have teenagers, and on occasions I hear the following proclamation, “I’m bored!” Usually said out loud to the world in general, with only one part (unsaid) that is directed at me: “…and what are you going to do about it?” Boredom, idleness, and lack of motivation can often be linked to a lack of …

Were Lance Armstrong’s Lies Justified?

Posted on 01/18/2013 by David Whitehead | Philanthropy & Fundraising | Comments

Personal Health | Volunteering | Your LifeBetrayed. That’s the only way to express the feelings I have as I track Lance Armstrong’s “process of confession.” In fact, I was so upset I couldn’t bring myself to watch the Oprah interview last night, which, in addition to “coming clean” had to include some justification for why he spent nearly two decades lying, attacking his denouncers and systematically deceiving a community of cycling supporters and fans. (I am one of them.) I am an avid cyclist. I cycle …

Hope Among Devastation

Posted on 11/2/2012 by David Whitehead | Philanthropy & Fundraising | Comments

Home & Family | VolunteeringNews reports have captured the magnitude of the devastation left by “superstorm” Sandy. The impact continues to increase as word begins to spread of personal loss and tragedy. A dire tale that I fear will grow worse in the coming days and weeks: 109 fatalities Public transportation systems severely damaged A lack of power has prevented those impacted from being able to access gasoline, food and other necessities Much is needed and less is available What inspires me are the …

Caring for the Poor and Disadvantaged – an Act of Kindness

Posted on 10/18/2012 by David Whitehead | Philanthropy & Fundraising | Comments

Volunteering | Your LifeCarlos Slim, the richest man in the world, was recently quoted as saying “We have seen donations for a hundred years … and the problems and poverty are bigger. They have not solved anything.” I’m perplexed by this statement. If you are a type A personality (like I am), you may think to yourself that Slim may be right. Though global poverty has decreased over the last five years, according to a Brookings Institute study, the number of fragile states is …

Being More Efficient isn’t Always the Answer

Posted on 07/11/2012 by David Whitehead | Philanthropy & Fundraising | Comments

Volunteering | WorkAs your typical husband, I sometimes find myself asking, “I wonder why my wife does it that way? It would be a lot more efficient if…” As if the value I bring to our marriage is to help her be more efficient. What a mistake. That is not it (and the subject of an entirely different blog), and I often have to remind myself, efficiency is not always the most important or end goal. Same goes for nonprofits. As a …

Millennials: a New Hope for Philanthropy

Posted on 06/26/2012 by David Whitehead | Philanthropy & Fundraising | Comments

VolunteeringAs a Boomer, I have often shared my disappointment with my own generation on its performance and commitment to philanthropy. We have a lot to learn from the preceding generation — the greatest generation — that not only recognizes the importance of giving and giving back, but sees it as a responsibility to be shared with the generations to come. Actually, I think the Boomers will get there. It will just take some time. Enter the Millennials (Generation Y or …