EVERETT — Maddy Metzger-Utt, longtime president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, plans to retire in June.
The nonprofit promotes charitable giving and offers support for local organizations.
Metzger-Utt, in place since 2005, has helped steer and inspire the foundation, said Scott Murphy, chairman of the board of directors.
“She’s helped define our mission and our values,” Murphy said.“She’s been a guiding light for how we do business.
“Under her leadership the foundation secured a permanent home for the foundation in downtown Everett and has grown its staff, budget, programs and impact across Snohomish County,” Murphy said.
“It really has been my honor …” Metzger-Utt said. “It has been a pleasure to work with all the generous individuals and families that want to help make our communities better now and in the future.”
The board plans to form a search committee for the CEO hiring process, Murphy said.
Today, the foundation manages more than $28 million in investments. The earnings from the portfolio, which is overseen by investment managers, are used to provide grants to homeless shelters, local arts organizations, health and human services groups, and other nonprofits.
“Whatever the donor’s interest, we help them set up a fund to support the things they care about,” Murphy said.
More than $13 million in grants have been distributed.
The foundation also provides coaching to local nonprofits.
“Since starting this we have had more than 3,500 people attend our trainings and have provided more than 2,000 hours of free staff consulting to support local boards, staff and volunteers,” Metzger-Utt said.
She’s proud of the foundation’s role in supporting the Casino Road Initiative, formed to promote economic development in south Everett, and the group’s role in affordable housing. The foundation made a $600,000 investment in the HopeWorks project in Everett that helps provide the skills and training for family-wage jobs. The money is expected to be paid back.
The Community Foundation evolved from the Everett Parks Foundation.
In 1993, the group began working with the city, clubs and businesses to build new playgrounds at local parks. By 2001, the group’s board had decided to become a full-fledged nonprofit.
Eight local families raised a $2 million operational endowment to start the Greater Everett Community Foundation.
They were: the Newland Family Fund for Giving, Phil Johnson, John and Idamae Schack, the Bargreens, the Nysether Family Foundation, the Don and Joyce Tisdel Family Fund, the Roy and Ann Thorsen family, and the Harry and Jeanne Metzger family. Metzger-Utt is one of the Metzgers’ daughters.
In 2015, the group changed its name from the Greater Everett Community Foundation to the Community Foundation of Snohomish County.
Janice Podsada; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3097. Twitter: @JanicePods
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