Community Foundation of Northern Illinois names new president
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois has named James Patterson as its next president.
Patterson, who has worked at the nonprofit for more than two dozen years, succeeds Dan Ross in the role. Ross led the organization for five years before taking a job with the Bill Doran Company in late May.
Patterson started in the role on Monday, becoming the fourth president in the Community Foundation’s 72-year history.
“James has contributed greatly to our growth and success, fostering strong relationships within the community and championing various initiatives that have made a lasting impact. We are proud of his accomplishments and are confident that James will bring the same dedication and vision to his role as president,” Steve Schmeling, chairman of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ board of trustees, said in a news release. “We look forward to watching James lead the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois into the next chapter of service and community engagement.”
Patterson has climbed the ranks in various roles over 25 years with the Community Foundation, mostly recently serving as senior program director. In that role he was responsible for coordinating the annual distribution of millions of dollars in grants, managing relationships with dozens of organizations, hundreds of nonprofit staff members, and numerous community volunteers.
He was selected following a search by a hiring committee that included Community Foundation trustees with assistance from FurstExecutives.
Patterson started his nonprofit career at Lifescape, where he served as fund and volunteer development supervisor. That role included managing its Meals on Wheels program.
He has also served on the local board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program of FEMA, the Bridges to Prosperity Upward Mobility Coalition, Cosmopolitan Club and was the founding chairperson of Northern Illinois Leave A Legacy, Speakers Bureau Committee.
“I am deeply honored to accept the role of President of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois,” he said in a news release. “Over the past 25 years this work has truly become my life’s calling, and I look forward to building on CFNIL’s legacy of impact and strengthening our region for years to come.”
Patterson is originally from Mattoon. He and his family now live in Roscoe.
