Doug Benson

Doug Benson oversees governance and risk management, while focusing on policy, procedure and strategy to ensure operational effectiveness across the Foundation. Doug also works closely with donors and their professional advisors on complex charitable gifts. 

Doug has worked at the Foundation for 13+ years. In his prior role, Doug served as General Counsel & Senior Vice President, managing the Foundation’s legal and investment teams and playing a lead role in the Foundation’s philanthropic advancement work. He has also overseen the human resources team as well as governance and compliance for the Foundation and its affiliates, including 10 supporting organizations. 

Prior to joining FFTC in 2012, Doug practiced as an estate planning attorney for 12 years with Moore & Van Allen PLLC in Charlotte and with Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP (now Eversheds Sutherland) in Washington, D.C. His practice areas included estate planning and administration, tax planning, and charitable planning.

Doug holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester and a J.D. from Duke University School of Law. Active in the nonprofit and professional community, he serves on several nonprofit boards as well as the Steering Committee of the Queens University of Charlotte Estate Planning and Wealth Management Forum (Chair 2019/2020) and the board of the Charlotte Estate Planning Council. Doug is a frequent speaker on a broad range of charitable and estate planning topics, including charitable gifts of closely held business interests, planned giving, board governance and tax-exempt entities. Doug lives in Charlotte with his wife and their daughters.