Dan Ross, President of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), has announced his intention to depart the organization, having accepted a new leadership role as CFO of the Bill Doran Company, a global firm headquartered in Rockford. His last day with CFNIL will be Friday, May 23, 2025.

“It has been my sincere honor and privilege to serve at the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.  I have been continuously amazed at the generosity displayed by the communities we serve, and this is only rivaled by the dedication of the non-profit entities and volunteers that devote themselves to bettering the lives of those around them.  I am truly thankful to have worked with a remarkable group of individuals who live to serve, and to have worked under a Board of Trustees who want only the best for our region,” said Ross.

Ross began his tenure with the Foundation in July 2020, stepping into his role following the retirement of Jon Bates, CFNIL President since 2015. Under his leadership, CFNIL has grown combined assets to over $140 million and grants and scholarships made since its inception now total over $90 million. During Ross’s 5-year tenure the Foundation’s impact in strengthening local nonprofits and communities has continued to grow. Joining the Foundation at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was no easy feat, but he navigated the challenges with aplomb, leveraging his extensive local connections to ensure CFNIL’s programs were not only uninterrupted but strengthened.

Under his leadership, CFNIL partnered with the City of Rockford and other local institutions to crowdfund over $300,000 for the benefit of the people of Rockford’s sister city, Brovary, Ukraine, in the days following the Russian invasion in Spring 2022. Ross has also broadened the Foundation’s participation in community- and region-wide initiatives such as the Mayor’s Hunger Campaign and the Excalibur and Excelsior Awards. He has also been on hand for such milestones as the first time the CFNIL Scholarship Program exceeded half a million dollars in annual awards in 2024.

“From day one, Dan has merged his passion for this community with his leadership at the Foundation,” said Steve Schmeling, board chair of CFNIL. “As a result of his steadfast commitment to our mission, the Foundation has broadened and deepened its reach and impact in our region. His deep care for people and ability to build personal and institutional relationships will be very much missed. We wish Dan all the best in his new role.”

To build upon the expertise and high service levels the Community Foundation already provides, the CFNIL board will engage an executive search firm to lead the search for a new President. The position description and instructions to apply will be available at cfnil.org/team/#jobs in the next few weeks.

“CFNIL is in its 72nd year of service to the people of northern Illinois,” shared Schmeling, “We are grateful for how Dan’s many accomplishments have deepened and broadened our reach, and we look forward to welcoming a new President who will build upon that success.”