Ken Oldham is an experienced executive with over 25 years in nonprofit management, strategic planning, and community engagement. He brings comprehensive knowledge of nonprofit business practices, fundraising, and leadership development, and he holds an MBA in Business Analytics.
Ken has been President & CEO of United Way of Frederick County (UWFC) since August 2016. He sets the organization’s long-range vision and builds the business strategy behind it. He and the United Way team support ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families in the focus areas of health, education, and financial stability. ALICE households work but cannot afford a basic cost of living. They are among the most vulnerable to job loss, food insecurity, homelessness, and illness. Frederick County is home to 34,465 ALICE households.
Ken has overseen a major business model transformation at UWFC, built on a revenue diversification strategy that secures the organization’s future as an independent local United Way. Under his leadership, UWFC has grown its measurable community impact from $1.2 million to $4.1 million and increased revenue 202% since 2016. Ken brought the Unity Campaign to where it is today as the largest communitywide fundraising campaign in Frederick County, raising $5,448,000 for ALICE families. The team also launched the Ride United Network, a collaborative microtransit project that delivers thousands of free, flexible rides to ALICE families, and built Pathways to Financial Stability, which pairs matched savings with wraparound services to help families buy homes and safe, reliable used cars. UWFC’s VITA program provides free tax preparation to ALICE clients. When COVID-19 hit, the team moved fast to bring immediate and long-term relief to households in crisis. In May 2021, U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin named Ken and the UWFC team 8th District Hero of the Week for their work helping families claim the federal Child Tax Credit.
Before UWFC, Ken spent 14 years at the National Philharmonic at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, first as Vice President of Development and then as President. He grew the organization from a $450,000 community orchestra into a $2 million regional performing ensemble with a professional orchestra and chorus.
Ken earned his Bachelor of Science and his MBA from Frostburg State University, where he received the Alumni Achievement Award. He served on the Frostburg State University Foundation Board of Directors for over 10 years, achieving the role of board president. He grew up in Taneytown, MD, and has lived in Frederick County since 2005. He lives near the Potomac River with his wife Melissa and their son Breezy. His son Landon attends Towson University.
