Eric Robertson, founder and longtime president and CEO of
Community LIFT Corp and its subsidiary, River City Capital Investment Corp, announced in July that he's leaving the organization. He'll move on to a position as executive director of the Formanek Foundation, a new family-based private philanthropy in Memphis.
"On behalf of the board, I would like to thank [Robertson] for the work that he has done to make the Memphis community a better place and to wish him well on his new endeavor," said Community LIFT Board Chairman Luther Mercer, who represented the board in a press release.
Founded in 2011, Community LIFT has focused on Memphis' disinvested neighborhoods through grants and loans to community development corporations, grassroots organizations and leaders, and neighborhood businesses.
Community LIFT's board of directors has established a transition committee to search for a new leader to execute the organization's vision. In a press release, the board noted that Robertson has agreed to stay involved and provide leadership through the transition process.
"During this transition period it is our absolute focus to find this best individual,
while maintaining an effective organization," said Mercer.
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Eric Robertson—founder, president, and CEO of Community LIFT—is moving on to the new Formanek Foundation. (Submitted)
According to the job posting, the right person will have skills and experience around fundraising, public relations and communications, managing programming, leadership, and developing an organizational vision. They should also have at least 10 years experience at the senior management level in community development, real estate development, organizational capacity building, or a related field.
The deadline to apply is October 8, 2021. Interested individuals can find a
full job descriptions and application instructions here.
Under Robertson, the organizations ballooned its $150,000 in seed funding into over $15 million raised and over $20 million leveraged in private funds. The organization was also key in attracting the Kresge Foundation to Memphis, which has subsequently invested millions in the city.
"His resolve as founder and leader of Community LIFT over the last ten years has set a standard for commitment and bringing value through resources to underserved communities," said Mercer of Robertson in the release.
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