Qiana Austin

Qiana Austin serves as Senior Vice President, Community Investments and Programs at Foundation For The Carolinas. In this role, she provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Foundation’s community‑centered investment portfolio, encompassing competitive grantmaking, scholarship programs, place‑based initiatives, affiliate foundation services, strategic partnerships, and other philanthropic investments. Her work advances equitable access to economic mobility by strengthening community programs, cultivating meaningful partnerships, and stewarding resources with clarity, intention, and impact.

Qiana previously served as the lead relationship manager for FFTC’s portfolio of more than 150 scholarship funds, providing strategic guidance to donors, students, and partner institutions. She also oversaw the Foundation For Black Philanthropy, a competitive grantmaking program supporting organizations working to address disparities in the African American community. In addition, she managed the day‑to‑day delivery of FFTC’s employee disaster and hardship relief funds, ensuring timely, compassionate support for individuals facing crisis.

Prior to working at the Foundation, Qiana worked in higher and public education as an educator, financial aid counselor and scholarships officer. Qiana understands the priceless value of a postsecondary education and believes that education should be both accessible and affordable.

Qiana earned a B.A. in English from North Carolina A&T State University and a Master of Public Administration, with a concentration in Public Policy, from Bowie State University. She participated in Community Building Initiative’s Leaders Under 40 program and is an active member of the New Generation of African American Philanthropists, a collective giving circle. Qiana was recognized as part of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Power 100 Class of 2023 and is an American Leadership Forum (ALF) Senior Fellow, Class XXI. She also serves on the GenerationNation Board.