News
August 11, 2016Community Foundation Welcomes John Eberle As President & CEO
The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region (CFGCR) has welcomed John Eberle as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Eberle, who began work at CFGCR today (August 8), is the fourth permanent leader of the 48-year-old philanthropic organization.
In his role as President and CEO, Eberle will lead CFGCR in managing $60 million in assets and more than 420 separately-managed charitable funds, allocating approximately $4 million annually in grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to local students, and guiding local stakeholders and partners in developing and implementing solutions to some of the Capital Region’s most pressing needs. Initiatives include homelessness outreach and prevention, quality childcare, capacity-building support for small-to-midsized local nonprofit organizations, and regional economic development through the Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy and the upcoming Breathing Lights public art initiative. Eberle will also coordinate CFGCR’s support for the organization’s two geographic affiliates, the Bethlehem Central Community Foundation and the Niskayuna Community Foundation.
“I am honored to be joining the great board and staff of the Community Foundation – and thrilled to be moving to the Capital Region,” said Eberle. “Together, we’ll work with leaders and supporters to honor the legacies of smart and generous community members who have given to support the region’s changing needs.”
“I’m very excited to listen, learn and spend time in each community that represents this great region,” Eberle continued. “Community foundations strengthen and preserve communities. Generous donors provide the wisdom, passion and giving legacy, foundations provide infrastructure, community knowledge, and stewardship to make sure resources deliver a triple bottom line: Gifts to the Community Foundation are managed and grown over time. Grants from funds have immediate and lasting impact on the community. Funds live and give in perpetuity to always support and benefit the greater Capital Region.”
“The Search Committee faced the daunting challenge of identifying its next leader at a time of incredible growth and innovation at the Foundation,” said Susan Picotte, Esq., Chair, Community Foundation Board of Directors. “Blessed with dedicated donors and exceptional staff, we sought the individual who would lead the Foundation toward and beyond its 50th Anniversary. In John, we were delighted to find not only a wealth of community foundation experience but also a deep understanding of the Community Foundation’s unique stewardship of our donors’ funds and philanthropic endeavors. John exudes a thoughtful and creative energy that will propel the Community Foundation forward and enhance its positive impact upon the lives of residents of our greater Capital Region.”
Eberle’s selection followed a six-month national search undertaken by CFGCR’s Board of Directors and coordinated by Sutherland~Edwards, LLC. Sutherland~Edwards assists community and private foundations with strategic planning, organizational development, governance, executive transition, capacity building, and facilitation services.
ABOUT JOHN EBERLE
John Eberle brings a wealth of charitable leadership expertise to CFGCR. He previously served as First Vice President and Officer for the Central New York Community Foundation, and Secretary for the CNY Philanthropy Center, LLC affiliate in Syracuse. In 2015, Eberle and staff awarded $11 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and programs. Eberle joined the staff of the Central New York Community Foundation in 2006 as a program officer, and was promoted to Vice President, Grants & Community Initiatives in 2008.
Eberle served as founding chair and managing partner for the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County, helped develop and launch CNY Vitals, a homegrown community indicators project with 80+ community partners, and served as developer and manager of the Strategic Partnership Fund at the Central New York Community Foundation. Eberle also was the initial convener and facilitator of the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative: Greater Syracuse Steering Committee and Learning Network, which helps low-income Syracuse households to reduce energy usage and health and safety hazards.
Eberle earned an M.A. in Public Administration from the Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, where he focused on nonprofit leadership and management and earned an additional certificate of advanced study in conflict resolution. Eberle earned his bachelor’s degree and graduated magna cum laude from Columbia International University (formerly known as Columbia Bible College and Seminary). He is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse, and a 2015 graduate of CF Leads Executive Leadership Institute.
Before joining the Community Foundation in 2006, Eberle worked for 14 years as an executive with the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse, a major nonprofit organization focused on food security and homelessness prevention throughout Central New York.
Eberle and his wife Pamela were lifelong residents of central New York until their move to the Capital Region. The couple have four adult children and enjoy travel, outdoor activities and volunteering in their community.
