Grantmakers in the News
June 1, 2006
Meyer Foundation Launches New Initiative to Address Nonprofit Executive Director Turnover and Burnout
The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation recently launched a new initiative called Rewarding Leadership in an effort to address high burnout and turnover rates among the executive directors of nonprofit organizations in the Greater Washington region. This three-year, $2.2 million initiative will increase the training, networking, and professional development opportunities available to executive directors and provide large leadership development grants to up to five outstanding mid-career executive directors each year.
The centerpiece of the initiative is the Exponent Award. The award, an annual program through which the foundation will recognize five exemplary executive directors in the Greater Washington region, will come with a two-year grant of $100,000 for leadership development, which can include coaching, continuing education, or funds to strengthen the board and senior management team.
The Rewarding Leadership initiative will also include funding to help the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
and the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington increase training and peer support opportunities for nonprofit executives, as well as increase funding for executive coaching and executive transitions through the foundation’s Management Assistance Program.
The initiative was developed in response to a national survey of nearly 2,000 executive directors in eight regions throughout the U.S. that was conducted by the Meyer Foundation and CompassPoint Nonprofit Services
in late 2005. The survey report, Daring to Lead 2006 was released in March. The report found that relentless fundraising pressure, weak boards of directors, low salaries, and lack of management support are causing many executive directors of small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations to leave their jobs. Three out of four respondents said they were likely to leave their current positions within the next five years.
Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation
is located at:
1400 16th Street, N.W., Suite 360
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone:202/483-8294
FAX: 202/328-6850
E-mail: meyer@meyerfdn.org
URL: http://www.meyerfoundation.org
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