Calif. Nonprofits Give Wish List for New Irvine Fund CEO

Seismic shifts in California’s philanthropic leadership have prompted one of state’s nonprofit associations to extend some unsolicited advice to the James Irvine Foundation as it searches for a new president.

The California Association of Nonprofits has sent a letter to the Irvine foundation’s board asking that the $1.7-billion fund appoint a leader who continues to maintain the group’s statewide focus.

“California nonprofit leaders—regardless of how they have felt about the foundation in recent years—are both worried and hopeful,” wrote, Jan Masaoka, the association’s chief executive, and Ashley McCumber, its board chairman. “We ask you—the trustees—to consider not only what the Irvine Foundation needs in a new executive but what California needs from the Irvine foundation.”

The Irvine foundation replied privately to the two leaders on Tuesday and is encouraging anyone with suggestions for the search to contact the foundation through an email address it set up in January, irvineCEO@spencerstuart.com.

“It’s an exciting time for the foundation and for our partners in the work to expand opportunity for the people of California,” wrote Greg Avis, Irvine’s board chairman. Ms. Masaoka said her group was compelled to write to the foundation because Irvine is “one of the most high-profile foundations in California.”

“You can’t help but be worried,” she said, “because they’re such an important foundation.”

The San Francisco foundation’s influence extends to state lawmakers through projects it has supported to overhaul how elections take place in California, she said.

“It is hard for us to envision a strong California that does not have strong community-based institutions in low-income communities, in communities of color, and in rural communities,” the association’s letter says. “The Irvine foundation no longer uses the phrase ‘the community foundation of California,’ but its responsiveness to community is demonstrated by accepting unsolicited proposals, making responsive grants, and recognizing that sometimes geographic need or community development opportunities trump management strength in a nonprofit.”

The concern from the foundation comes at a time when many California grant makers are facing vacancies in permanent leadership posts: the Gordon and Betty Moore and California Wellness foundations, the San Diego and San Francisco foundations, and the East Bay Community and Fresno Regional foundations.

“It is a lot,” said Ms. Masaoka. But, she added, the Irvine foundation is different in that its work spans the entire state. “This is an opportunity for them to change or to stay the same. It’s too early to know.”

Send an email to Doug Donovan.