MONTEREY COUNTY — Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has announced the planned retirement of long-time President/CEO Dan Baldwin, who will step down in 2026 after a 16-year tenure.
“It has been an honor to be part of the CFMC’s family,” Baldwin said. “Monterey County is blessed with a strong spirit of philanthropy. Being able to connect generosity to community need — to know we’re truly helping people — has been tremendously rewarding. The staff, board of directors and our donors have helped make this possible.”
Baldwin will continue to lead the Foundation until a successor is selected. A national search for the next president/CEO commenced this past fall.
“Dan has provided exceptional leadership for the foundation. Our growth and impact reflect this. His retirement is much deserved, but he will be sorely missed,” said Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, CFMC Board chair.
Since joining the CFMC in 2010, Baldwin has overseen a period of significant growth and transformation. Under his leadership, the organization developed its mission, vision and strategic plan, setting a clear direction for future initiatives. During his tenure, CFMC’s assets expanded from $130 million to $450 million, and the number of charitable funds increased from 300 to over 900. The foundation’s grantmaking also saw remarkable growth, rising from $6 million in 2010 to $44 million in 2024.
Notably, Monterey County Gives! fundraising soared from $565,000 to $14.2 million, and annual scholarship awards grew from $175,000 to $2 million. Baldwin also spearheaded the creation of eight disaster relief funds and led responses to crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, through collaborative initiatives like VIDA Community Health Worker. He launched the Community Impact Investment program to facilitate capital campaign loans for nonprofits, and facilitated some of the largest gifts in CFMC history, including two real estate gifts exceeding $20 million each.
In addition, Baldwin expanded CFMC’s presence across Monterey County, establishing regional funds in North County, South County, Carmel Valley and Big Sur. He helped establish targeted funds, such as the Siembra Latinos Fund and the Fund for Homeless Women. Baldwin also led strategic initiatives like the Salinas Inclusive Economic Development Initiative (SIEDI), further strengthening the foundation’s impact on the community.
Other accomplishments include purchasing the Monterey office building and expanding and renovating the Salinas office, increasing nonprofit stewardship funds from one to more than 75, restructuring and creating major grant programs, strengthening and diversifying the board of directors and creating the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) program.
A unifying theme throughout Baldwin’s tenure has been his ability to bring people, nonprofits and resources together around important community issues. His leadership has inspired donors, empowered staff and expanded the CFMC’s role as a catalyst for healthy, safe, vibrant communities.
Beyond CFMC, Baldwin has held numerous local and national leadership roles including chair of League of California Community Foundations (LCCF), founding chair of LCCF Public Policy Committee, founding member of League DEI Committee, Steering Committee for Community Foundation Awareness Initiative, Council on Foundations Community Foundation Advisory Committee, member of Monterey County Leadership Council and Bright Futures Core Convener.
Prior to his time at the CFMC Baldwin served as president/CEO of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation in Iowa. He spent the earlier part of his career in museum leadership, including executive roles at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids, Old City Park Museum in Dallas, Texas, and the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis.
For more information about the CFMC, call 831-375-9712 or visit cfmco.org.
