Community Foundation Tampa Bay leader announces retirement

Marlene Spalten, longtime president and CEO of Community Foundation Tampa Bay, announced her retirement Tuesday. 

Spalten, 78, plans to retire in June 2027 after nearly 14 years leading the nonprofit organization, which is the largest community foundation in Florida and among the largest in the nation, according to a release. 

Spalten will remain in her position through June 2027 while supporting a “strategic transition process” led by the foundation’s Board of Directors, the release says. An “executive transition committee” and search committee have already been created to begin the search for a new president and CEO. 

“With Marlene continuing to lead the Foundation through June 2027, we have the opportunity to build on our strong momentum, advance our strategic priorities, and thoughtfully prepare for the future,” Linda Simmons, chair of the organization’s Board of Trustees, says in the release. “Her leadership has helped position Community Foundation Tampa Bay for continued growth and impact, and we are excited about all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead.”

Spalten joined Community Foundation Tampa Bay in 2012, ushering in an era of growth for the philanthropic organization. Under her leadership, donor-advised and permanent assets have grown from $142 million to more than $1.1 billion, the release says, and annual grantmaking continues to grow to support critical needs and nonprofit projects throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Spalten led Community Foundation Tampa Bay through multiple new community collaborations, the organization says, bringing together philanthropists, nonprofits, businesses and community leaders to address the region’s most pressing challenges — those include early childhood education, degree attainment and mental health. 

She is the third president and CEO to preside over the organization since it was founded in 1990, the release says. 

“Throughout my career, I have believed that the most successful organizations are those that prepare for the future while continuing to focus on the work at hand,” Spalten says in the release. “Community Foundation Tampa Bay is well-positioned to do both. I remain energized by our mission, excited about the opportunities ahead, and committed to leading the Foundation through the next year.”

Community Foundation Tampa Bay is the leading philanthropic investor in the Tampa Bay area, funding projects throughout Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Over its 35-year history the organization and its donors have invested more than $516 million in nonprofit organizations throughout the community.