Danny Grossman to Step Down as CEO of San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund

Grossman will depart at the end of 2021, during a time of organizational stability, strong leadership, and clear strategic direction

San Francisco, CA – Danny Grossman, CEO of the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund (the Federation), informed the Board of Directors of his decision to leave his position on December 31, 2021.

“I love the mission, the work, the people, and our community,” said Grossman. “I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished at the Federation and for the community over the past 6 ½ years. “With such strong leadership and direction in place, this is the right time to step down, recharge, and consider my next chapter.”

Board Chair Arthur Slepian shared, “Although we are sad, the Board and I fully support Danny’s decision, and we are incredibly grateful for all that Danny has accomplished for our organization and community. He has steered us through significant change, and we are in an even stronger position now because of his steadfast leadership.”

Since Grossman’s appointment as CEO in 2015, the organization has accomplished many significant achievements under his tenure, some of which include:

  • publishing the 2018 Portrait of Bay Area Jewish Life and Communities, the first 10-county study of its kind, providing data about our evolving Jewish community
  • successfully integrating the East Bay Federation and Foundation in 2019 to create one Bay Area-wide organization that serves Jewish communal needs across the region more efficiently
  • launching a modern philanthropic advisory practice that has enabled donors to better achieve their charitable goals through advisor support, new giving resources, and an impact investing program
  • leading the Federation’s commitment and investment in diversity, inclusion, and racial justice, including the establishment of the Racial Justice Task Force, investment in programs to support diverse leadership throughout the community, and a full review of Federation policies and practices
  • launching a movement focused on building a culture of belonging, beginning with the leadership of the Irving Rabin Community Building Mission to Israel
  • upgrading the community’s security effort through the creation of the Office of Community Security, grants, and trainings to support institutions’ security and facilitation of state and federal grants
  • responding to the devastating wildfires of 2017 and 2020
  • shifting the Federation’s work in Israel toward strengthening a shared society through building new social partnerships among and between the different communities in Israel
  • focusing Federation resources on strategic impact across the community, including the launch of the Teen Initiative, the Campus Israel Engagement Initiative, the Mental Health and Wellness Initiative, and the Organizational Strategic Growth Initiative
  • responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing funding, guidance, and resources that have helped the community make it through the worst crisis of a generation

Slepian will select a lay leader with a strong understanding of the organization and community to chair and build a committee to lead an executive search for a new CEO. Slepian will also work with the Board and professional leadership to determine what, if any, interim arrangements may be needed after Grossman’s departure.

“Today, the organization is in a great place,” said Slepian. “We finished our fiscal year on June 30 in a strong financial position. The Board approved a two-year plan in June that provides a blueprint for how we will strengthen our community here in the Bay Area, in Israel, and globally. This plan includes our response to the ongoing needs arising from the pandemic, the growth and strengthening of our philanthropy practice, and the deepening of our commitment to DEI and racial justice, and so much more. We have a Board and professional leadership with exceptional skills and experience, and I am so appreciative of their dedication as we continue together with our strategic direction while preparing for this transition.”

 

For immediate release

August 10, 2021

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