Porter is a Partner of the firm. He brings decades of experience in both the for profit, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. An attorney by training, Porter has served as a CEO, a managing partner, a grants officer, both outside and inhouse legal counsel, and as the managing director of a nonprofit. His work with HNW families and the institutions they support gives him a unique perspective on the many layered issues and complexities that can confront those seeking to be intentional and authentic in their philanthropy. He also leverages his experience and that of the GPA team to best serve the needs of our diverse client portfolio. He is currently pioneering a practice within the firm that supports those desiring to “clear the clutter” that comes with life’s inflection points (death, divorce, adult children leaving home, family illness, among others) that stand in the way of clear, effective thinking about life and philanthropic efforts to come.
Previously, Porter served as a Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and Counsel at Global Endowment Management. In addition, he served as Staff Counsel and Director of the Education Division of The Duke Endowment, as well as a Partner and Chairman of the Corporate and Securities Department at Baker Donelson law firm. He is the immediate past chair of the board of the National Humanities Center, and the Duke Law School Board of Visitors, and a past chair of the Trinity Episcopal School board. He has served on numerous civic and institution boards, including the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, The Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership, The Oxford American Literary Project, and Johnson C. Smith University. He graduated cum laude from Duke University and the Duke University School of Law.
email: porter@grantphilanthropy.com