The Fund for Our Economic Future, a Northeast Ohio regional philanthropic collaboration, has elected a new chair.
It was announced Wednesday that Deborah Hoover, president and chief executive officer of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, will succeed David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation. A statement said that Abbott, who served as the fund’s chair since 2008, will remain engaged in the fund’s work, including serving on its executive committee.
Hoover, the fund’s new chair, said in a statement: “ ... As one of the founding members of the fund, I know that improving Northeast Ohio’s economy requires both collaboration and long-term commitment. I look forward to working with my colleagues to promote and support efforts that create more opportunity for our region’s residents and build a more vibrant economy.”
Hoover said she will work with foundations and attempt to build a stronger partnership with private sector leaders to work on the region’s economic priorities.
The group said that since 2004, philanthropic organizations and institutions have “deployed” more than $80 million through the fund. The group says it is “a collaboration of organized philanthropy rooted in the belief that philanthropy can and should play a vital role in leading and sustaining efforts to build a vibrant, globally competitive Northeast Ohio.”
Members of the fund collectively determine how it will invest its resources. The fund has raised $9.2 million to date.
The Funders Committee re-elected the following members to leadership positions:
• Brian Frederick, Community Foundation of Lorain County, first vice chair;
• Robert Jaquay, George Gund Foundation, vice president;
• William La Place, Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation, treasurer;
• Christine Mayer, GAR Foundation, vice chair, and
• Brad Whitehead, Fund for Our Economic Future, president
The Funders Committee elected new leadership to the following positions:
• Philip Ranney, Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust, secretary;
• Bill Seelbach, George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation, vice chair.
Hoover has been president and chief executive officer of the Morgan Foundation in Hudson since January 2007.
She joined the foundation in 1999 as a program officer and was elected executive vice president and treasurer in 2004.