When Jane Simpson reflects on her career, she often leans on a simple, guiding belief:  “If you do what you are called to do, everything works.”

For Davie County, those words could not be more true.  Because when Simpson answered her calling in 2003 and stepped into leadership at the Davie Community Foundation, she set in motion a transformation that would touch every corner of the county—from education and economic mobility to the arts, housing, childcare, and beyond.  Back then, the Foundation had just $200,000 in assets.  Today, it holds more than $37 million in assets – most of which are endowed, permanent funds that will support Davie County forever.  The remarkable part? Simpson didn’t just manage that growth. She built the system that made it possible.

Simpson’s journey to community leadership was anything but linear.  She began her professional life at Hanes Corporation as an internal auditor, traveling across the country performing audits—an experience that sharpened her analytical mind and financial instincts.  Eventually, she moved into financial planning for Hanes DSD, gaining deep experience in strategic budgeting and organizational finance. Those skills would later become essential in her nonprofit leadership.

She and her husband spent time in Jacksonville, Florida, but in 1986, they made a deliberate decision to come to Davie County—for the schools. It was the kind of choice thousands of families make, but for Simpson, it became the first step toward a lifelong commitment to the community.  For several years, she stayed home to raise their three boys, throwing herself into school volunteering, booster clubs, and the hectic world of youth sports. Yet even then, the seeds of leadership were being planted—she was building relationships, understanding community needs, and learning how to make things happen.  Her first role after returning to the workforce was Executive Director of the Davie County Arts Council, where she helped raise the funds to renovate the historic Brock Auditorium into the Brock Performing Arts Center—her first major community project.

It wasn’t long before she caught the attention of the Davie Community Foundation board. They encouraged her to apply for the open leadership role. She initially turned it down.  But as she thought about it, she kept coming back to the same feeling:  she was called to the work. And the rest is history.

When Simpson accepted the Foundation’s leadership, she faced a challenge: although the Foundation was doing good work, it had no permanent financial base. Money came in for specific projects and went out just as quickly.  Simpson saw the potential for something more enduring.  She started the Foundation’s endowment program—now its greatest strength and her proudest accomplishment.

What Is an Endowment? An endowment is a permanent fund created by a donor. The principal is invested, and only a portion of the earnings is spent each year, allowing the fund to grow while providing ongoing support.

This means:

“The beauty of the endowment model is that it will always be here for Davie County.” Simpson says. “Long after we are all gone, these funds will still be working.”

 

Today, thanks to Simpson’s leadership, the Foundation manages hundreds of funds designed to meet the diverse needs of the community. These include:

Families or individuals can recommend annual grants to charities they care about—perfect for those wanting flexibility and involvement.

Donors choose a specific nonprofit or cause to receive support every year.

Created to honor loved ones or support specific fields of study, these funds help students achieve their dreams.
 This year alone, the Foundation awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships.

These funds support broad areas—like education, the arts, health, youth, or historic preservation—allowing the Foundation to respond to changing needs over time.

Perhaps the most impactful, these allow the Foundation to address emerging needs—from early childhood to assisting families in crisis to assisting older adults to school funding challenges.

Dedicated to supporting the county’s transformative “promise” program.

Among all her accomplishments, Simpson beams when she talks about Ignite Davie. Ignite Davie is a scholarship program that pays tuition, fees, and a book stipend for students to attend Davidson-Davie Community College for any student that lives and goes to school in Davie County. It removes financial barriers and keeps local talent close to home—helping both students and employers.  This year, 111 students—25% of the senior class—will benefit from Ignite Davie.  That means more than a quarter of Davie County graduates will begin their adult lives with a powerful advantage:  debt-free access to higher education or technical training.  Education gives young people a fair chance to succeed.

Even with all the progress, Simpson is clear-eyed about Davie County’s ongoing challenges:

The Foundation plays a central role in addressing these issues, but it can only act if the community continues to invest.  “If you care about this community, this Foundation is your best avenue to make a lasting impact for the future.” Simpson says.  She encourages residents to give through an endowment or through the 5 to Thrive program—a program encouraging Davie county residents to give five percent of their wealth to the foundation at their death.

Though retiring from her role as President & CEO at the end of 2025, Simpson’s service to the community isn’t ending. She will serve on the board to help establish a Davie County museum, a dream many residents have shared for decades.

She also plans to travel, spend more time with her family, and continue her newest pursuit—learning to play golf. As she reflects on her time with the Foundation, her voice fills with gratitude: “It has been an awesome privilege to be in the Davie Community Foundation.”

And for Davie County, the privilege has been theirs—because Jane Simpson didn’t just lead an organization. She built a legacy that will carry the community forward for generations.