Friday will mark the end of an era for the Emporia Community Foundation with the retirement of Becky Nurnberg.
Nurnberg announced her retirement back in October after leading the agency for just over six years. During a recent interview on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Monday, Nurnberg reflected on her time with the agency and the incredible growth experienced during her tenure including a better than $20 million increase in the foundation’s assets.
With Nurnberg set to “ride off into the sunset” at week’s end, a lot of work has gone into preparing her successor Linda Kehres-Schmidt to take over leading the foundation. Kehres-Schmidt, an Olpe native, says she is excited to be returning to her roots after serving the past several years as the director of the University of Kansas Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
In terms of the transition process, Kehres-Schmidt says she is becoming more and more comfortable in the role each day adding that her many years of prior non-profit leadership experience have helped make the transition a smoother process. One major focus for Kehres-Schmidt as she prepares to assume her new role is becoming more acquainted and knowledgeable of the various funds and stories overseen by the foundation.
In addition to being Nurnberg’s final day in the office, Friday is also the deadline for applications for the 11th annual Match Day event. Applications must be returned to the community foundation by 5 pm with the participating organizations set to be announced on Monday, May 13.
Organizations wishing to participate in match day must meet several criteria including:
*Organizations need an operating budget of up to $175,000
*Organizations must have a Community Foundation fund
*Organizations must have their headquarters in and serve at least one county in the Community Foundation coverage area
Last year, over 1,400 donors contributed to a total of almost $668,000 split among 35 organizations. Since its inception, Match Day has led to almost $3.1 million being disbersed to nearly 60 non-profits in Lyon and surrounding counties.
For questions or more information be sure to visit EmporiaCF.org.
