MARION – Following a 10-year tenure, Dean L. Jacob has announced his retirement from Marion Community Foundation, effective June 30. The Foundation’s Board of Directors has engaged the executive search firm Finding Leaders to assist with the search and hiring of a new president/CEO.
Finding Leaders, based in Sagamore Hills, Ohio, has a 20-year track record of vetting and searching for executives for educational and nonprofit organizations. An invitation to apply for Marion Community Foundation’s position has been published with PhilanthropyOhio and LinkedIn, as well as locally. Applications will be accepted through March 8.
Jacob was hired as President and CEO in 2014, following careers in law and education. In that time, Marion Community Foundation grew from 160 charitable endowment funds to 450+ and assets increased from $40 to $60 million. Marion Community Foundation recently celebrated its 25th anniversary as a leading philanthropic organization for the area.
“Leading Marion Community Foundation for the past 10 years has been a phenomenally rewarding experience,” said Jacob. “Now it’s time to focus more time on family and friends.”
According to Board of Directors chair Dr. Chuck Speelman, Marion Community Foundation seeks a new president and CEO to continue its work as a public charity, dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Marion area.
“We are looking for someone to be the public face of Marion Community Foundation,” said Speelman. “We seek someone with first-hand experience with nonprofit organizations and demonstrated knowledge of, and passion for, the work of public charities and community philanthropy.”
The president/CEO position reports to the 15-member Board of Directors and is responsible for the growing impact and influence of the Foundation throughout the Marion area. Responsibilities include mentoring and supporting the Foundation staff, providing professional leadership to the Board, area charities, and the community at large, expanding relationships with donors, professional advisors, community leaders, and key nonprofit agencies in the Marion area, and linking donors with the charitable needs of the community.
Applicants must have an understanding of the private nonprofit sector and hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. They must live or be prepared to move to Marion County and have experience in administration, volunteer management, public relations, donor relations, communications, public speaking, business and investment concepts, strategic planning, and planned giving.
Marion Community Foundation is a 501(c )(3) organization serving the greater Marion area. Established in 1998, the Foundation currently awards around $2.5 million annually in scholarships and grants to Marion area students and nonprofit organizations. Its mission is to “continually improve the Marion area community through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.”
The application deadline for the president/CEO position is March 8, 2024. Applications must include a cover letter, resume, three references, and salary requirements and be submitted to Finding Leaders via email at suzallen1008@gmail.com or neil.roseberry@gmail.com. Additional information is available online at findingleaders.com.