Dan Ross to depart role leading Community Foundation of Northern Illinois after 5 years

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Dan Ross, who has led the nonprofit Community Foundation of Northern Illinois for nearly five years, announced on Friday that he has accepted a new job and will depart from the role later this month.

Ross has accepted a job as the CFO of the Bill Doran Company, a wholesale floral distributor based in Rockford. His last day will be May 23.

“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,” Ross said in a news release. “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.”

Ross began his tenure leading the foundation in July 2020, succeeding Jon Bates, who retired after serving as president since 2015.

Ross joined the foundation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and was tasked with leveraging his local connections to ensure the foundation’s programs were not interrupted.

During Ross’s tenure, the foundation has grown its combined assets to more than $140 million and scholarships awarded since the nonprofit’s inception now total more than $90 million, according to the news release.

The Community Foundation, under Ross’s leadership, partnered with the city of Rockford and other agencies to fundraise more than $300,000 to help Rockford’s sister city of Brovary, Ukraine, following the Russian invasion in spring 2022. He also helped broaden the foundation’s participation in community initiatives such as the Mayor’s Hunger Campaign to support local food pantries and taking over the annual Excalibur and Excelsior Awards to recognize outstanding community service. He also led the organization through milestones such as the foundation’s scholarship program surpassing a half-million dollars in annual awards in 2024.

“From day one, Dan has merged his passion for this community with his leadership at the foundation,” Steve Schmeling, board chairperson for the foundation, said in a news release. “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 greatly missed. We wish Dan all the best in his new role.”

The Community Foundation was founded in 1953 to promote philanthropy and inspire endowment for current and future needs of the Rockford and northern Illinois region.

What’s next

The foundation’s board will work with an executive search firm to hire its next president. A job description and instructions on how to apply will soon be listed at cfnil.org/team#jobs, the foundation said in the news release.

“CFNIL is in its 72nd year of service to the people of northern Illinois,” Schmeling said. “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.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas