Charity Navigator Announces Trent Stamp's Resignation
First and Only President of America's Leading Charity Watchdog Steps Down To Become Executive Director of Eisner Foundation
MAHWAH, N.J, December 20, 2007 –After nearly seven years at the helm, Charity Navigator President Trent Stamp has decided to step down from his post to become the Executive Director of the Eisner Foundation in Beverly Hills, California. Stamp will continue at Charity Navigator until February 15, 2008. A national search has begun to find his successor.
Trent Stamp was hired by John and Marion Dugan in 2001 to create the organization that eventually became known as Charity Navigator. Under his leadership, Charity Navigator became the nation's largest and most-used evaluator of American charities and non-profits and was inducted into the “Philanthropy Hall of Fame” in 2007 by BusinessWeek. Nearly five million donors annually use the site that Time Magazine called "One of America's 50 Coolest Websites for 2006." Additionally, the site is a three-time Forbes award winner for "Best of the Web," was selected by Reader's Digest as one of the "100 Best Things About America," and was chosen by PC World as "One of America's Top Sites for 2006." Charity Navigator was singled out in 2006 and 2007 by Kiplinger's Financial Magazine as "A Service We Cannot Live Without" and Esquire Magazine recently told its readers that using Charity Navigator was one of "41 Ways To Save The World."
In his role as Charity Navigator's president, Trent appeared as a regular expert analyst for both FOX News and CNN. He provided opinion and commentary for each of the network morning shows--NBC's The Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, and CBS's The Early Show. He appeared on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, and Comedy Central's The Daily Show, among others, and served as a contributor to National Public Radio programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He has been profiled in Fast Company magazine, Philanthropy Roundtable, Contribute Magazine, and The Washington Post, and quoted in nearly every major American newspaper or weekly magazine. He published editorials and articles in over 50 newspapers, journals, and magazines, including The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and The Los Angeles Times, and was the author of "Trent Stamp's Take", a blog about the non-profit sector that was recognized in 2006 by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as "One of Ten Non-Profit Blogs That Get Attention." In 2004, he was selected by New Jersey Business Magazine as one of "40 Business Leaders Under 40" in the state and was a 2007 recipient of the Five Sectors Lifetime Achievement Award for his impact as a public servant in New Jersey.
“It has been the great privilege of my professional life to lead Charity Navigator these last seven years,” said Stamp. “We have done much to promote transparency and accountability in this sector, and I truly believe that we have made exponential strides in advancing the rights of charitable donors. I’m excited for the opportunity to lead the Eisner Foundation, but I will miss the people of Charity Navigator and the donors we have strived to serve.”
“Trent was the right leader for us at the right time,” said Charity Navigator Board Chair John Dugan. “His vision and determination enabled us to become the leader in our field. We will miss him, but wish him and his family well in California. We have a tremendous staff in place, and are committed to finding a new leader that will allow us to continue the progress we have made in the last few years.”
The Eisner Foundation was started in 1996 by Michael D. Eisner, then Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and his wife Jane in order to focus their family's philanthropic activities. As of December 31, 2006, the fair market value of the foundation's assets total approximately $150,000,000. The Eisner Foundation currently gives approximately $8 million per year to non-profit organizations in the Los Angeles County area of Southern California.
About Charity Navigator:
Charity Navigator is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization guides intelligent giving by evaluating the financial health of over 5,300 charities. Charity Navigator is a 501 (c)(3) organization that accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations. Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 1200 MacArthur Blvd, 2nd Floor, Mahwah, N.J., 07430.
For information about applying to become the new Charity Navigator President and to see a full position description, please visit www.charitynavigator.org/jobs.
