Baldwin leaving Cedar Rapids Foundation for California job

Dan Baldwin, president and CEO of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, will leave the post in March.

Baldwin, 52, will resign March 5 to become president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Monterey County in Monterey, Calif., GCRCF board Chairwoman Lorna Barnes announced Thursday.

“We will miss Dan's leadership and commitment to strengthening our community,” said Barnes.

Barnes credited Baldwin for growing the foundation's assets from $23 million to $95 million since taking the position in 2002.

“And of course the GCRCF has been built into a position of strong community leadership,” Barnes said in a statement. “We congratulate him on this opportunity and wish him all the best and much success.”

Baldwin was president and CEO of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library from 1996 to 2002. Before that, he was executive director of Old City Park Museum in Dallas and director of collections and conservation at the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis.

“My time at the community foundation has been a wonderful and rewarding experience,” said Baldwin. “I am confident that the GCRCF will continue to grow and expand. They have an exceptionally talented staff and supportive board of directors with a clear vision, mission and strategic plan in place to guide them.”

During Baldwin's tenure, the foundation's unrestricted assets grew from $3 million to $25 million. The foundation also created more than 40 agency endowments, and increased membership in the William Quarton Heritage Society, the foundation's planned giving society, from 75 to 250.

GCRCF directors will begin the search for a new president and CEO next month. An interim custodial president and CEO to will be named to assist in day-to-day operations and with an operations committee to ensure a smooth transition.