NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                                              

The Board of Directors of the Indian River Community Foundation announced today that Kerry Bartlett has resigned as Executive Director after six years of leading the organization through a period of record growth and development. Bartlett’s resignation is effective July 31, but she has agreed to stay on in a part-time capacity through the end of the year to give the Board time to recruit a new leader to the position.

Bartlett was hired in 2008 as the organization’s first Executive Director. During her tenure, IRCF grew from ground zero to managing $24 million in assets restricted for charitable purposes, the majority of which are in donor advised funds. IRCF has facilitated an additional $21 million in grants on behalf of its fund holders to predominantly local nonprofit organizations. Bartlett attributes IRCF’s success to the Board’s commitment to helping connect local philanthropists, professional advisors and civic leaders to the causes they care about most.

“It has been an honor, both personally and professionally to serve as Executive Director during the launch of Indian River Community Foundation. I am proud of the relationships and partnerships we have formed to build a stronger community through donor-driven philanthropy,” Bartlett said. “With the organization so strongly positioned, this is the right time for me to begin exploring new avenues for my own professional career development.”

The Vero Beach native has no plan to leave the community, but will instead be taking her expertise to a national level as a nonprofit consultant working for a broad range of organizations through an affiliation with a premier philanthropic consulting firm. IRCF Board Chair Bob Puff said the Board accepted Bartlett’s resignation with appreciation for her dedication and leadership.

“The fact that IRCF is in such an excellent position today is a reflection of Kerry’s hard work and commitment to our mission,” Puff said. “She had the perfect combination of skills to be successful as our first Executive Director and her place in our organization’s history is firmly cemented.”

Puff sent a letter to IRCF stakeholders earlier this week notifying them of Bartlett’s resignation and outlining the Board’s succession plan. According to Puff, a sub-committee of the Board will be managing the executive transition. During the transition, the Board will continue to rely on the back-office administration and investment management services of Greater Horizons, an administrative company with which IRCF has contracted since its inception.

“It will be business as usual for donors and professional advisors who rely on us for philanthropic management,” Puff said. “Our contract with Greater Horizons and strong Board oversight will ensure that our financial operations, including donor accounts, investments and grants will continue to be handled in the same safe and effective manner as always.”

Puff said the Board sub-committee is in the process of reviewing the Board’s vision and the organization’s needs to identify the characteristics, strengths and expertise needed in the next IRCF Executive Director. The process will include seeking input from stakeholders and advisors. The Board expects to successfully complete the transition or have interim leadership in place by Dec. 31.

“There is never a good time to lose a valued staff member,” Puff said, “but Kerry’s pledge to stay through the end of the year will give us the opportunity to find the right successor to lead IRCF into a new phase of growth and development.”

For more information about IRCF visit www.ircommunityfoundation.com or call (772) 492-1407.