Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles President and C.E.O. Marvin I. Schotland to Step Down at End of 2022

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 13, 2022)—The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) announced today that its longtime President and Chief Executive Officer Marvin I. Schotland will step down from his post at the end of 2022.

One of the region’s longest-tenured nonprofit executives, Schotland has presided over a period of sustained growth and transformation since assuming his position in 1989. Under his leadership, The Foundation’s total charitable assets have grown from $90 million to about $1.5 billion. In the past dozen years alone, its grantmaking to Jewish and general community causes and programs locally, across the nation, and in Israel has totaled approximately $1 billion. The institution today ranks among Los Angeles’s 10 largest foundations and is one of the largest Jewish community foundations in the U.S. measured by assets.

The Foundation also disclosed that a committee of its board of trustees will lead a national search to identify and select prospective candidates with appropriate backgrounds and skill sets to succeed Schotland. Citing “considerable board and management team continuity,” The Foundation said that it expects the transition to be seamless.

“After 33 years of service to the community, I have decided to step down as President and C.E.O. of The Foundation at the end of 2022,” said Schotland. “When I accepted this position in 1989, it never occurred to me that this would become the professional home where I’d reside for nearly half of The Foundation’s existence.”

He continued: “I am enormously proud of the tremendous growth over the past three decades and the impact of Foundation grantmaking. But this has been a team effort in every regard. It is enabled by the tireless work of our management team and staff, the dedication of our lay leadership, the support of our network of professional advisors, and the passion of our grantees. Of course, none of The Foundation’s success would be possible without the generosity of our donors who are united in their commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world).”

Foundation Board Chair Evan Schlessinger stated: “Marvin Schotland’s stewardship has been pivotal in building the institution into a pillar of strength and permanence for the benefit of our communities, as well as propelling it to preeminence as a funder of vital, high-impact causes and programs. On his watch, The Foundation has achieved a national reputation for not only the depth and breadth of its grantmaking, but as a paradigm for philanthropic innovation that is now looked to and leveraged by other community foundations and funders.”

Schlessinger added: “Marvin’s steady-handed leadership through the enormous challenges of the past two years – let alone for more than three decades – speaks to his immense capabilities in motivating those around him to give their utmost. He brings out the best in all of us. I count myself among the fortunate lay leaders and staff of The Foundation who have had the opportunity to work alongside Marvin and extend heartfelt gratitude for his service and devotion.  We are extremely fortunate that he will lead the institution for another year to enable an orderly changeover.”

About The Jewish Community Foundation

Established in 1954, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages charitable assets of $1.5 billion (unaudited at Dec. 31, 2021) entrusted to it by over 1,300 families and ranks among the 10 largest Los Angeles foundations. It partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of their giving, and build enduring charitable legacies. In 2021, The Foundation and its donors distributed $120 million to more than 2,000 nonprofits with programs that span the range of philanthropic giving. Over the past 12 years, it has distributed more than $1 billion to thousands of nonprofits across a diverse spectrum. www.jewishfoundationla.org