President & CEO, Staff

Pete Dunn has nearly 30 years of experience in the community foundation field working to support the growth and impact of the philanthropic sector. In early August 2023, Pete become the President and CEO of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, which serves communities throughout Worcester County in Central Massachusetts. From 2008 through June 2023, Pete was the President and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation (CNCYF) in Syracuse, the oldest and largest philanthropic foundation in its region. During his tenure, CNYCF grew significantly in scale and impact, quadrupling its asset base to $400 million and its annual grantmaking to more than $20 million. He led and supported notable local strategic efforts, including projects addressing early childhood literacy, concentrated poverty, childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse, and post-secondary educational attainment through the Say Yes Syracuse scholarship promise program, which CNYCF administers. In 2020, CNYCF launched the Black Equity & Excellence Fund and, along with local partners, created the CNY COVID Community Support Fund.

Previously, Pete was Vice President, Philanthropic Services with the California Community Foundation (CCF) in Los Angeles, CA, one of the nation’s largest and most innovative community foundations. Pete joined CCF as Gift Planning Officer in 1996, became Director of Gift Planning in 1998 and CCF’s chief development officer in 2006. From 1994 to 1996, he was Program Coordinator for Community Foundation Services at the Council on Foundations in Washington, DC. He began his nonprofit career as a fundraiser for the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County in 1993 following a career as an attorney focusing on civil litigation.

Peter received a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 and a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1990. He was admitted to practice law in New York State in 1991. He is currently a member of the Board of the Community Foundations National Standards Board in Washington, DC.

Back to all staff