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Today we are announcing the search for the next leader of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.

In January 2025, we announced that our President & CEO, Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D. will retire this summer after nearly a decade of extraordinary leadership. Under his tenure, we have strengthened our impact, championed bold ideas and deepened our commitment to making Minnesota a more equitable and vibrant place for all.

Today we are announcing the search for the leader who will continue this legacy while forging a new, unique leadership path.

A Community-informed Approach

Guided by our value “Community is Our Compass,” we remain steadfast in our belief that communities themselves are best positioned to define their needs and drive solutions.

As we search for our next President & CEO, we are committed to a thoughtful, community-informed process that ensures the Foundation remains a trusted partner for thousands of nonprofits and donors across the state.

Our search partner, Doran Leadership Partners, has prioritized the voices of many stakeholders including donors, nonprofit leaders, board members, community members and staff to help identify a leader who will build upon our successes and carry our work forward.

These community insights will continue to guide this national search process led by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

A New Leader. A New Chapter.

This transition comes at a pivotal moment for the Foundation. In 2024, we approved a bold new strategic plan (2025-2029) that will guide our work by leveraging the following strategies:

Invest in Community-led Solutions by partnering with communities to create lasting change, recognizing that those closest to the challenges are best equipped to lead the solutions.
Advocate for Equity by using our voice, influence and resources to champion policies and practices that advance equity across Minnesota.
Inspire Generosity by connecting donors, businesses and philanthropic partners to the causes they care about, driving meaningful and lasting impact.

The next President & CEO will play a crucial role in shaping how we implement these strategies to ensure that the Foundation continues to be a catalyst for positive change across the state.

Our Unique Role as Minnesota’s Largest Community Foundation

As the largest community foundation in Minnesota, we serve the unique needs of communities across the state. We retain our roots in Saint Paul and the surrounding East Metro area, where we were originally established 85 years ago.

Our work encompasses various activities such as:

Grantmaking
Managing nonprofit endowment funds
Collaborating with individuals and organizations on their philanthropic efforts
Strategically investing the financial resources under our management to maximize community impact
Forming numerous partnerships that advance our shared objectives for Minnesota

This list highlights just a few of the Foundation’s focus areas.

View Our Statewide Work

Next Steps

If you or anyone you know would be an excellent fit for this role, please review or share the position description. We will keep the community updated as the search progresses.

View the Position

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