Mike Goorhouse, the longtime leader of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) plans to step away from his position as president/CEO in the coming months.
Goorhouse has served as President/CEO of the foundation since 2014, leading the organization through a season of growth that includes building the Community’s Endowment, and expanding and enhancing donor services and partnerships in a broad array of community initiatives.
“The Community Foundation has experienced meaningful growth and impact under Mike’s leadership, and we are sad to see him step away from his role,” says Diane Kooiker, board chair. “Mike is a remarkable leader whose contributions to the foundation, and the community at large, have played a significant role in helping those who live and work in the greater Holland/Zeeland area thrive. We are grateful for his years of service and the impact he has made on our community during his tenure.”
Longtime involvement
Goorhouse’s involvement with the Community Foundation began in high school as a member of the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). In 2009, he was awarded the first-ever Young Philanthropist of the Year Award by CFHZ while serving as an adviser to community foundations throughout Michigan in his role at the Council of Michigan Foundations.
He returned to CFHZ as vice president of donor development in 2012 and was chosen to lead the organization as president/CEO in 2014. Some of his notable accomplishments include successfully completing the “Today. Tomorrow. Forever.” campaign, which grew the Community’s Endowment by $5 million and secured a pipeline of 100 new estate gift commitments to further grow the Community’s Endowment in the decades to come; co-launching Housing Next, an
award-winning multi-sector collaborative effort to improve the availability and affordability of local housing options; guiding the foundation to exceed $100 million in total assets; and helping the foundation serve the community creatively and collaboratively during the turbulent time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A professional transition
“I have never been prouder and more humbled by the privilege of serving as president/CEO of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area — and at the same time I am feeling called to a professional transition,” says Goorhouse. “It’s never easy to decide to leave an organization in which you have deep roots, that you believe is doing critically important work for your community, and that you see making a greater impact with each passing year. But I believe this is a moment when I can leave confident CFHZ is in a position of strength, set up for continued success and exceptional service to the Holland/Zeeland community.”
Goorhouse will remain in his position into the new year as the Board of Trustees begins its search for a dynamic new leader who can guide CFHZ to its next level of growth and impact. The board has engaged the services of Kittleman & Associates, which specializes in the recruitment of leaders for nonprofit organizations, to lead the search for the next president/CEO. In the coming weeks, a position guide will be released and interested applicants will be encouraged to apply.
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