Foundation Staff

Since 2020, Jerry Kenney has served as a Program Officer at the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. During this time, he has supported the launch of multiple rural development initiatives for East Texas, including ConnectRURAL regional development hubs, the Rural Opportunity Catalyst for East Texas (ROC-ET) Initiative, which launched the first community development financial institutions in East Texas, the Rural East Texas Economic Opportunity Analysis, the Texas Community Water System Prioritization Tool, and a rural library digital navigation network. Jerry currently manages a new grant portfolio focused on regional capacity building and community development. His writings on rural development and philanthropy can be found in Daily Yonder, Inside Philanthropy, Nonprofit Quarterly, and Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Jerry currently serves as a Community Advisor on the council of directors for the Trust for Civic Life and on the board of directors for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP).

In the United States and across the globe, Jerry has specialized in program design and development, particularly launching new social impact initiatives. Jerry started with classroom teaching and community development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia from 2007-2009. Based in the U.S., South Sudan, and South Africa, Jerry has served in key program leadership roles with Save the Children, Collaborative for Children, World Vision, and Texas A&M University. He has a Master of International Affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s from Austin College.