Madison Community Foundation Names New CEO for 2027
The foundation’s new leader will oversee half a billion dollars in assets, impacting the city’s philanthropic landscape.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in People
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The Madison Community Foundation has named Jonathan Lever as its next president and CEO following a national search. Lever will take over in February 2027, succeeding Bob Sorge, who is retiring after 14 years at the helm of the organization.
Why it matters
The leadership change will shape the strategic direction of an organization that manages approximately half a billion dollars in assets and plays a critical role in local civic funding, including recent grants for public safety infrastructure.
The foundation distributed $22 million in grants during 2024 and oversees roughly half a billion dollars in assets. Jonathan Lever joins the organization with over 25 years of experience in philanthropy, following Bob Sorge's 14-year tenure.
The players
Jonathan Lever
Incoming president and CEO of the Madison Community Foundation with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership.
Bob Sorge
Outgoing president and CEO who led the foundation for 14 years.
Madison Community Foundation
A prominent charitable organization that manages approximately half a billion dollars in assets for local investment.
The Evjue Foundation
A local philanthropic organization that will gain the incoming CEO as a board member.
The details
The appointment concludes a national search to fill the vacancy left by the outgoing CEO. As president, Lever will oversee the foundation's grant-making activities and civic engagement initiatives, including serving as a board member for The Evjue Foundation. His background includes executive leadership at the Fetzer Institute and the YMCA of the USA, where he managed large-scale nonprofit operations.
Timeline
2024: The foundation distributed $22 million in grants.
September 2026: The foundation provided funding for police body-worn cameras in Madison.
October 15, 2026: The appointment of Jonathan Lever was formally announced.
February 2027: Jonathan Lever will officially assume his duties as president and CEO.
Market Landscape
This transition follows a period of significant local impact, notably the foundation's 2026 funding for municipal police body-worn cameras. It marks a departure from the 14-year tenure of the previous administration and its established grant-making cycle.
Local operators and nonprofits should monitor Lever's arrival in 2027 to understand how his background at the Fetzer Institute may influence future grant priorities. Organizations seeking funding should prepare for potential shifts in the foundation's asset deployment strategies.
The takeaway
The foundation's transition to new leadership signals a pivotal change in its approach to managing its half-billion-dollar endowment. Stakeholders should track the foundation's board meeting schedule and published grant guidelines in early 2027 to identify changes in the funding pipeline.
Further reading
For more on significant leadership shifts in the city, visit Madison People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cap Times.
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