Contact:
Fred Whiting
Points of Light Foundation
(202) 729-8177
fwhiting@pointsoflight.org

Robert Goodwin Again Selected for Power and Influence Top 50 List by NonProfit Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 8, 2006)—For the ninth straight year, Robert Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, has been selected by the NonProfit Times for its annual Power and Influence Top 50 list.  Goodwin is one of five individuals who have appeared on the list since its inception. 

Those named to the 2006 honor roll were chosen from a field of more than 200 nominees by NPT staff and members of the nonprofit community.  “We began the list in order to highlight the people who have the most influence in the nonprofit sector and may not be well known,” says Paul Clolery, Vice President and Editorial Director of the NonProfit Times.  “We wanted the opportunity to get the names and faces of these people into the general arena so they could be seen and could talk together.”  The NonProfit Times is a leading nonprofit business publication based in Parsippany, N.J. 

Goodwin is the author of Points of Light: A Celebration of the American Spirit of Giving (Center Street, 2006) with Thomas Kinkade, the most collected artist in America.  He is also a principal in the launch of a star-studded music CD to benefit victims displaced by the hurricanes of 2005.  The CD includes a remake of the Sister Sledge hit, “We Are Family,” and will be released on August 29, the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. 

Robert Goodwin has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Points of Light Foundation since July 1, 1995. He joined the Foundation in March 1992 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In that position, he managed every aspect of the Foundation's mission and operations.

Goodwin was instrumental in the development of the 1997 Presidents' Summit for America's Future, which celebrated a commitment to improve the quality of life for this nation's youth. He also instrumental in the creation of Connect America, a collaborative effort led by the Points of Light Foundation and a diverse group of national and local organizations—nonprofits, civic associations, local governments, businesses, labor unions, fraternal organizations and the news media—to engage every American in helping to solve serious social and community problems through volunteering.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Goodwin served as executive director of the U.S. Department of Education's White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). As executive director, he brought together representatives from the Federal government, HBCU's, other institutions of higher education and the private sector to formulate and implement strategies for strengthening the nation's black institutions of higher learning.

Before that, Goodwin was assistant deputy chancellor for external affairs for Texas A&M University. He was responsible for coordinating congressional, legislative, and community outreach activities for the university system. He came to this position after serving as director of public information and then as associate vice president for university relations at Prairie View A&M University.

Earlier in his career, Goodwin was publisher of his family-owned weekly newspaper, the Oklahoma Eagle in Tulsa. While a student, he served as an associate pastor of several churches in Oklahoma and California.

Goodwin received his BA degree from Oral Roberts University in 1970. After completing course work for a M.A. in Social Psychology at the University of Tulsa, he received a M.A. in Philosophy (Christian Ethics) from the San Francisco Theological Seminary and did further graduate study at Texas A&M University.

Currently, Goodwin serves on the following boards of directors: Generations United; Interdenominational Theological Center; National Assembly; National and Community Service Coalition; National Urban Fellows, Inc.; and The Salvation Army.

Goodwin received the 2001 Award for Excellence in National Executive Leadership from the National Assembly of Health and Human Services Organizations.

He received honorary doctorates from LeMoyne Owen College, Ripon College, The University of Maryland-Eastern Shore and The University of Notre Dame. Goodwin and his wife Ruth reside in Fairfax, VA.

The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life — businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults — to volunteer. 

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About the Points of Light Foundation
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who to help solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life – businesses, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults – to volunteer. For more information call 202-729-8000 or visit www.PointsofLight.org . To volunteer, call or visit www.1-800-Volunteer.org .