The leader of the Greater Salina Community Foundation is stepping down.

According to the organization, President and Executive Director Betsy Wearing has announced her plan to step down from her position effective April 17th.

Wearing was a member of the Foundation’s original board of directors until she was hired as the organization’s first executive director in 2000. For the next 15 years, together with the board, she shepherded the foundation through its formative years into one of the largest community foundations in Kansas.

Today the Foundation holds more than $150 million in assets and manages more than 600 funds. It serves hundreds of donors and more than 80 nonprofit organizations. The Foundation has also grown regionally to include 12 affiliate foundations serving more than 15 counties in north central Kansas.

The Greater Salina Community Foundation’s mission is to meet charitable community needs through leadership, grants and donor services. The Foundation achieves this mission by building permanent endowments which benefit local communities; inspiring and enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires; facilitating prudent management and care of funds; increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions; and advocating for issues which promote community philanthropy; facilitating grants, awards, and scholarships.

The Board of Directors of the Foundation is focused on its mission and in continuing to meet the needs of the community and has appointed Dr. A. Wayne Lowen to serve as its interim Executive Director while a search committee begins the process of hiring a new President and Executive Director whose focus will be to continue the Foundation’s mission of promoting giving in the community.