September 13, 2006

NCRP Announces Rick Cohen's Resignation as Executive Director

After more than seven years, Rick Cohen is stepping down from his post as Executive Director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.  Since joining NCRP in March, 1999, Cohen has strengthened the organization’s profile in Washington, D.C. and nationally as the premier philanthropic watchdog organization promoting enhanced foundation accountability and increased social justice grantmaking.  He has also overseen a period of improved financial management, during which NCRP’s funding base, reserves, and staffing grew significantly. He leaves the organization on its most solid financial footing in many years.

As a measure of NCRP’s increased impact on issues of nonprofit and foundation public policy, Cohen has been selected for the NonProfit Times Power and Influence Top 50 list for the last five successive years.  He has had major op-eds published in the Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, and other mainstream newspapers, in addition to frequent op-eds in the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the NonProfit Times and regular contributions to the NonProfit Quarterly.  He has appeared on CNN, ABC News, CBS News, PBS, NPR, Fox News Channel, and the British Broadcasting Company, as well as numerous local radio and TV shows, addressing current issues in charity and philanthropy. Cohen has been a leading advocate for increased levels of foundation grantmaking (“payout”) requirements, changes in accountability laws and regulations concerning conflicts of interest and other aspects of foundation and nonprofit governance, protections for nonprofit free and advocacy rights, controls on the foundations and nonprofits established by members of Congress and Washington lobbyists, and other high-profile public policy issues. 

Cohen is leaving NCRP in order to spend more time writing on larger issues of public policies affecting lower income communities and the nonprofits that advocate for social justice causes—in addition to devoting more time to family and health issues.  Although leaving the position of Executive Director, Cohen will continue his relationship with NCRP as a consultant to work on maintaining NCRP’s commentary on crucial issues affecting foundations and nonprofits. 

The Board of NCRP has appointed Mary Lassen, formerly President and CEO of The Women’s Union, to serve as Interim Executive Director, effective September 15, 2006. A national search will be conducted to appoint a permanent director.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. David R. Jones, chairman of NCRP's Board of Directors, at 212.614.5426.