Posted on June 8, 2007

Northwest Area Foundation President Resigns to Lead Danville Regional Foundation

The Northwest Area Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota, has announced that president and CEO Karl Stauber has resigned to become president and CEO of the Danville Regional Foundation in Danville, Virginia, just across the border from Stauber's native North Carolina. Stauber will assume his new post on August 1.

During his tenure at NWAF, Stauber helped to focus its mission on reducing poverty in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. "His vision helped us move to a different model of philanthropy, one where our assets could support a single issue for optimal impact," said board chair Cornelia B. Flora. "His dedication to the issue, and faith in communities to take ownership of this very hard work, has fostered a movement in which we are all proud."

Under Stauber, the foundation saw its star rise on both the regional and national levels. "When Karl and NWAF's board of directors adopted its single-focus mission a decade ago, foundations all across the country took notice and wondered what the impact would be — to the organization and to communities," said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. "Deciding to work with entire communities over several years, to attack the root causes of poverty took guts. But because of this decision, and of the lessons learned, other foundations are examining this form of philanthropy — one that devotes significant assets over many years to achieve deep, systemic change through grassroots initiatives."

The Danville Regional Foundation seeks to develop, promote, and support activities, programs, and organizations that improve the health, welfare, and education of the residents of Danville, Pittsylvania, and Caswell counties. Within the past year, the foundation has announced grants totaling approximately $17.5 million to nonprofit organizations or government agencies in the three counties.