Anniston, AL – The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (CFNEA) announced today that Matt Holdbrooks has been selected as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, following a decision by the organization’s Board of Trustees. Holdbrooks will officially begin his new role on Monday, August 25, 2025.
A resident of Glencoe in Etowah County, Holdbrooks brings more than three decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, healthcare administration, and philanthropic strategy. He currently serves as President of Kid One Transport, a nonprofit dedicated to providing transportation for children and expectant mothers to medical appointments across Alabama.
Throughout his career, Holdbrooks has led initiatives aimed at strengthening nonprofit governance, growing donor relationships, and advancing mission-driven strategies across a range of organizations. His background includes leadership roles with the Greater Alabama Council of the Boy Scouts of America, UAB Athletics Department, and St. Vincent’s East Foundation. He also worked as a consultant for Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Florida.
CFNEA Board Chair Anthony Cook expressed confidence in Holdbrooks’ appointment, noting his extensive experience and local ties. “We truly are blessed to have found a candidate with Matt’s broad experience, proven leadership, and established roots in the nine-county region served by the Foundation,” said Cook.
Holdbrooks holds a degree in business marketing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he attended on a track scholarship. A former athlete, he remains an active runner and credits his endurance on the track as a source of professional drive.
In a statement, Holdbrooks said he is honored to join the Foundation. “Our team at the Community Foundation will seek to continue the impactful work that has been established during the Foundation’s history. We look forward to working with leaders in our nine-county footprint to support community programs, initiatives, and projects while seeking opportunities to serve as the philanthropic catalyst for the region.”
The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama manages donor-advised funds, endowments, and other charitable assets to support initiatives and grantmaking in Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Clay, DeKalb, Etowah, Randolph, St. Clair, and Talladega counties. The Foundation annually distributes $2–3 million in grants and scholarships across the region.
Holdbrooks and his wife, Mitzi, reside in Glencoe and have two adult daughters.
For more information about the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama, visit www.cfnea.org.
