Roberta (Bobbi) Longworth is the Executive Director of the Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF). She leads a team of dedicated professionals and collaborates with Board Directors to support the Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants and creating partnerships. During her tenure at FCPF, annual giving has increased by more than 250%, which helps bridge the gap between public funding and Fairfax County’s needs for park land, facilities and outreach programs.
Before joining FCPF in 2010, Bobbi led the Fairfax Library Foundation where annual revenue grew fivefold over a decade. Donations helped to expand childhood literacy outreach, increase library collections, and create academic tutoring programs through Virginia’s largest library system.
Her non-profit management career began as Director of Fundraising with the United Way of the National Capital Area. She previously held private sector positions in financial accounting and corporate tax compliance at a $6 billion Fortune 500 company.
Bobbi is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and is Blackbaud certified. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; the International City/County Management Association (ICMA); the FCPA Director’s Advisory Council; National Association of Charitable Gift Planners; and the National Capital Gift Planning Council (NCGPC). She is a Class of 2003 graduate of the Leadership Fairfax Signature program.
Prior civic involvement includes Northern Virginia Leadership Awards Gala auction chair; Inova PACE Cares for Seniors board liaison; American Red Cross Fire & Ice Ball volunteer; Shelley A. Marshall Foundation board director; and D.C. Area ambassador for Operation Interdependence.
Bobbi holds a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Widener University. Professional studies include distance learning at the Wharton School of Business.
The National Capital Gift Planning Council honored Bobbi as the 2018 Jim Potter Memorial scholar for development of the FCPF Legacy Circle. In 2014, Park Foundation support helped secure the National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA) Excellence in Inclusion Award for the FCPA recreational opportunities for people of all abilities. The Partners in Preservation social media campaign raised $75,000 for Colvin Run Mill. FCPF was recognized with a 2013 NRPA Kudos Marketing Award and FCPA Trailblazer Team of the Year. Under Bobbi’s leadership, FCPF received the NRPA 2011 National Corporate Humanitarian Award.
Bobbi’s primary professional interest is to support the One Fairfax social equity policy to ensure that all county citizens have the opportunity to attain a high quality of life through Fairfax County’s award-winning park system.