“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the Kitsap Community Foundation and its board to continue its mission to create a lasting legacy of giving to benefit Kitsap County and its residents,” said Schneidler.

The Kitsap Community foundation, which was founded in 1994, oversees 43 community funds with more than $1.2 million in assets. Since 1999, the foundation has awarded more than $340,000 in grants to programs and projects benefiting the Kitsap community.

“We interviewed several excellent candidates but Rob’s strong executive experience, history of community involvement and knowledge of Kitsap County made him an ideal choice,” said Don Poggi, chair of the Kitsap Community Foundation. “Rob’s focus at the foundation will be to expand our endowment base to allow us to meet the needs of more people and organizations in the Kitsap community.”

Before joining the Kitsap Community Foundation, Schneidler worked as the director of development for the Admiral Theatre, a position he held since 2001. His involvement with the Admiral Theatre stretches back to 1990, when he was president of the theater’s board of directors and helped lead the capital fund campaign that raised more than $4 million to restore the historic structure. Today, the Admiral is considered one of Kitsap County’s most popular cultural venues, and some credit its restoration as the catalyst for downtown Bremerton’s ongoing revitalization.

“The Admiral is losing a wonderful, dedicated leader and supporter,” said Ruth Enderle, executive director of the Admiral, “but we are delighted he is joining such a worthwhile organization like the Kitsap Community Foundation.”

Schneidler will be replacing Jennifer Green, who served as the foundation’s executive director for three years before leaving in January 2007 to pursue other interests.

Green’s work at the Kitsap Community Foundation will not soon be forgotten, however, particularly since the foundation learned in early February that it had earned the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability from the Council on Foundations, a national, professional association based in Washington, D.C.

“Jennifer definitely deserves to be recognized for that,” said Patty Graf-Hoke, the foundation’s communications director, noting that the recognition came after an arduous application process, handled primarily by Green, which included documenting all of the foundation’s policies for donor services, investments, grant making and administration for the Council on Foundations to review.

“It was a tremendous achievement and the foundation is grateful for her commitment,” agreed Poggi.

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

“This is similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal for community foundations,” said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. “It says that Kitsap Community Foundation has demonstrated a commitment to operational quality, integrity and accountability.”

“This is critically important to our donors,” said Poggi. “When people make a charitable bequest, establish a fund or set up an annuity, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards confirmation says our house is in order.”.