SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Dirk Sonneborn, executive director of the Gifford Foundation, plans to retire at the end of 2018, the organization’s board of trustees announced Monday.
Sonneborn has served the Syracuse–based organization since 2009, first as director of operations, later as associate director, and as its executive director since January 2011.
During his tenure as executive director, the Gifford Foundation has made grants in excess of $5.5 million focused on neighborhoods, leadership development, and nonprofit capacity building in Central New York.
“During the past eight years Dirk has been synonymous with Gifford,” Jaime Alicea, chairman of the Gifford Foundation board of directors, said in a news release. “His inspiring leadership, presence in the community and unwavering dedication to our mission have enabled Gifford to achieve significant and lasting impact far greater than our grantmaking dollars. His commitment to our staff, including their community engagement and professional development, will support a smooth transition to his successor.”
In mid-July, the Gifford Foundation will use social media and its website to announce the timeline and expectations for naming Sonneborn’s successor, Alicea added.
Under Sonneborn’s guidance, the foundation expanded its “acclaimed” capacity-building programs to include smaller organizations in facilitated assessments and capacity growth planning, extended program and mission-related investments in the community, and further “engaged” community in an expanded neighborhood mini-grant program where residents “have a say” in which projects and programs receive funding.
The Gifford Foundation describes itself as a “private foundation supporting community needs in Central New York since 1954.”
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
Photo credit: The Gifford Foundation