Community Foundation leader leaving position

<p>Kay Marquet, who helped build one of the largest charitable organizations on the North Coast, resigned Thursday as president and CEO of Community Foundation Sonoma County.</p><p>During Marquet's 16-year tenure, she grew the foundation from a small charity managing $5 million in funds to one of the region's premier endowment managers with $136 million in assets.</p><p>"She really put the Community Foundation on the map," said Barbara Graves, a board member. "She is the person responsible for the growth we've experienced in the last 15 years."</p><p>Marquet's resignation did not come as a surprise to Graves or other board members, as they have been working with her for more than a year on a succession plan.</p><p>Marquet plans to leave the $136,000-a-year job in March to start a business consulting firm for philanthropic organizations. The foundation is forming a national search committee to find a replacement.</p><p>"It's the right time for a change, for me and for the Community Foundation," Marquet said in a prepared statement. She declined a request for an interview Thursday.</p><p>With her departure, one of the biggest challenges facing the Community Foundation is maintaining the trust of potential donors. These wealthy benefactors have numerous options when choosing an organization to manage money.</p><p>"The new CEO is going to have to garner that respect right away," said Jean Schulz, who is a board member and donor. "It's an interesting time to be looking for a new CEO, because people are beginning to think all these money things are smoke and mirrors."</p><p>Board members have a tough task in both instilling confidence and finding a new leader who will do the same.</p><p>"Losing Kay makes it doubly important that we are energetic and committed to maintaining those relationships," Graves said. "It is going to demand a high level of commitment from the board."</p><p>But Graves is quick to point out that the foundation has seasoned staff members, who also have good relations with donors, and those employees are not going anywhere.</p><p>"People are donating to the organization, and it has built a reputation for stability and trust," Graves said.</p><p>During its 25 years, the foundation has distributed more than $100 million in grants.</p><p>It was thrust into the public spotlight in 1995, when Charles "Chop" DeMeo left the foundation $16 million to help Santa Rosa's young people and homeless women, especially those with young children. After many public meetings and surveys, the foundation decided to build a gathering place for teens. In 2001, the 21,000-square-foot Chop's Teen Center opened its doors.</p><p>The foundation also formed partnerships to address homelessness, the arts and other community issues.</p><p>It collaborated with United Way to create the Community Action Program, which assessed the needs and resources of the county. It helped to organize Shelter Solutions, an initiative that brought together government agencies and community groups to develop and implement an action plan to reduce homelessness. The five-year project resulted in the creation of Samuel Jones Hall and the expansion of other facilities to serve the homeless.</p><p>More recently, the foundation has focused on supporting the arts, with funding from the James Irvine Foundation. The project resulted in the creation of a Santa Rosa Arts District, an artist awards program, and two programs that coordinated the presentations of local sculptors and performance artists.</p><p>Overall, the foundation made 860 grants in 2007 worth $14.7 million. It also provides loans, such as two made to Palm Drive Hospital worth a combined $500,000 in 2007.</p><p>Marquet moved to Sonoma County in 1992 from Massachusetts, where she held a similar position with a community foundation. She is credited with building that foundation from a small charity to an organization with a formidable endowment.</p><p>"She came in with professional experience that allowed us all these opportunities for growth," Schulz said.</p><p>She leaves big shoes to fill, Graves said.</p><p>"It's very sad to see her go. She is well loved by the staff and the board," she said.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer</p><p>Nathan Halverson at 521-5494 or nathan.halverson@pressdemocrat.com.</p>