Scott Whitaker

Scott Whitaker

Secretariat Director for Stewardship,
Development and Communications for the Diocese of Austin and
Executive Director for the Catholic Foundation – Diocese of Austin

Scott Whitaker began his fundraising career in 1995 as a student intern for the Texas A&M Foundation and then for the Iowa State University Foundation. His university experience exposed him to various facets of fundraising which he honed after being hired in 1998 as a Regional Director for the National FFA Organization. After a life-changing pilgrimage to Italy, Whitaker began his faith-based fundraising career with the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis as the Director of Parish Services. As Director, he managed the annual $5 million archdiocesan appeal, cultivated major gifts and strengthened individual parish stewardship education. Presently, he serves as the Secretariat Director for Stewardship, Development and Communications for the Diocese of Austin and Executive Director for the Catholic Foundation – Diocese of Austin. Under his direction, the annual appeal rose 35% to over $6.1 million. He also directed the first-ever Diocesan capital campaign which exceeded its goal of $45 million with pledges over $84 million and directed a $10 million campaign for a new Catholic High School in north Austin. Currently, the Catholic Foundation has over $33 million in assets under management and the Diocese of Austin has launched a second diocesan campaign with a goal of $85 million.

Whitaker is an active volunteer at his parish. He has served as regional Board representative to the International Catholic Stewardship Council Board of Directors and board president for Hand to Hold, a non-profit that serves to educate the public about infant prematurity and infant loss. He currently serves on the Association of Former Yell Leaders board and the Charitable Gift Planners Association Austin Chapter board. He received his B.S. degree from Texas A&M University and his M.S. degree from Iowa State University. He and his wife, Kathryn, have six children and they reside in Austin, Texas.