Matthew L. Evans

As Vice President of Advocacy & External Relations, Matthew L. Evans leads the Forum’s comprehensive external engagement strategy, integrating policy advocacy, strategic communications, and partnership development to advance philanthropy’s impact for the common good. With more than 17 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, and external affairs, he has been instrumental in expanding the Forum’s influence and establishing it as a leading voice for the philanthropic sector.

Before joining the Forum, Matthew served as the inaugural Director of Public Policy and Special Projects at the Southeastern Council of Foundations (now Philanthropy Southeast), where he pioneered the organization’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts. His career, shaped mostly in Washington, D.C., has included direct experience working with elected officials, corporations, and national associations, developing deep expertise in strategic advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

A recognized leader in the field, Matthew currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Nonprofit VOTE Board of Directors and is a member of the organization’s Leadership Council. He also contributes his expertise to the Funders’ Committee Census Initiative Leadership Team and the Charitable Giving Coalition Steering Committee. His previous service includes public policy committees for Independent Sector and the Council on Foundations.

In 2023, Matthew’s leadership in philanthropy was recognized when he was named the recipient of ABFE’s James A. Joseph Philanthropic Emerging Leader Award, which acknowledges and encourages the accomplishments and contributions of “dynamic game-changers on the rise in the philanthropic sector.” He holds an Executive Certificate in Philanthropic Leadership from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Tennessee State University, an HBCU in Nashville.