NEW BEDFORD – John Vasconcellos, who has led the SouthCoast Community Foundation for the last five years, will retire as the nonprofit’s president at the end of the year, the foundation announced Wednesday.
Vasconcellos became the foundation’s third president five years ago after working many years as a nonprofit and banking executive. The foundation said that under Vasconcellos’ leadership, it increased its assets from $30 million to $50 million, increased its annual grant and scholarship distributions from $2.3 million to $9.1 million and implemented a five-year strategic plan for the organization.
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Vasconcellos also recently spearheaded the foundation’s COVID-19 response efforts, raising more than $8 million for 127 local organizations within southeastern Massachusetts that were combating the pandemic, the foundation said.
“It’s been an honor of a lifetime to steward this amazing organization through such critical times for our region and its residents,” Vasconcellos said in a statement. “I love the work that we do and am proud of the differences we have made throughout the South Coast collaborating with the board, staff, committees, nonprofits, and community members, so it’s not easy to leave. But with the foundation in strong standing, it is an opportune time for my next chapter and to hand over the reins.”
SouthCoast Community Foundation board Chairperson Linda Bodenmann said in a statement that thanks to Vasconcellos’ leadership style, the foundation is one that attracts philanthropy, and elevates the needs and opportunities within the community.
The foundation said board member Jonathan Rounds will lead a search committee to seek out Vasconcellos’ successor and a nationwide search is currently underway.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
