CVNL in the news: Marin independent journal Editorial highlights Linda Jacobs' legacy of leadership. By Marin IJ Editorial Board PUBLISHED: July 15, 2026 at 12:59 PM PDT Marin independent journal. Editorial: Linda Jacobs built legacy of leadership for nonprofits. Linda Jacobs' retirement after 25 years of remarkable leadership in Marin's nonprofit world is certainly worth well-deserved kudos. She was hired in 2002 to head what was, in its early years, the combining of Marin's volunteer bureau and the council of local nonprofit organizations. It was later renamed the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership and, under Jacob's guidance, it grew tremendously in scope and service - now supporting nonprofit organizations across four counties. The San Rafael-based organization's annual Heart of Marin luncheon is a reflection of not only the size of the county's nonprofit world, but the impressive heartfelt work of individuals and their agencies. For many years, CVNL's annual Human Race event served local nonprofits as an important fundraiser and a venue to connect with potential supporters and volunteers. Today, Marin has close to 1,700 nonprofit agencies serving a wide realm of important needs both locally and beyond. CVNL, thanks to Jacobs' strong leadership, has become a hub for these nonprofits where they can find help in strengthening their organization, governance, building partnerships and recruiting and hiring workers, including for executive positions. Her focus and impact has been on developing excellence in leadership of North Bay nonprofits, the services they provide and keeping up with evolving responsibilities and challenges. She's helped local nonprofits navigate changes, including expansion, management responsibilities and mergers. Her strong focus on equity and creating career paths have also guided CVNL's growth. That work has deepened the roles and importance of this sector and the work of Jacobs and CVNL has been instrumental in building stronger organizations. She also has built stronger connections between the local business community and nonprofits. That strength was clear during the 2017 North Bay fires that caused mass evacuations from Sonoma County communities. Jacobs and CVNL helped organize many of the evacuation sites, among them the one that turned the Marin Center Exhibition Hall into a refuge where evacuees found a safe place to sleep, meals and assistance. Jacobs provided steady, tireless and effective leadership during this regional emergency and - for thousands, crisis - also filled a vital role in organizing community volunteers and donations. That set the stage for CVNL to grow into four counties - Marin, Napa, Sonoma and Solano. Today, CVNL's responsibilities also include Secret Santa programs, court referral programs and paratransit operations. What has motivated Jacobs over the past quarter-century? "The people I worked with who serve in the communities are all doing what they're doing with their nonprofits because it matters," she said in a recent IJ interview. Christine Paquette, chief executive of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin, praised Jacobs as "a respected teacher, a trusted ally and a devoted friend." Jacobs joined CVNL, coming from a stint as the executive director of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and a number of community nonprofits - Planned Parenthood Northern California, the Marin Child Care Council and Breakthrough Foundation. A testament to Jacobs' success is that recruitment for her successor drew 200 applicants. CVNL's board found a promising successor in Karen Strolia, whose resume includes serving as CEO of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, chief operations officer of St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin and a leader of the Downtown Streets Team, a program empowering the homeless. Jacobs was recently honored at a large gathering at the Jonas Center at College of Marin's Indian Valley campus in Novato. Nonprofits typically form in response to a community need. They rely on their leaders, boards of directors, staff, volunteers and a mission to make a meaningful difference. Jacobs has worked to help them build strong organizations and maintain that mission. That includes CVNL, itself. Linda Jacobs has made a difference, as a leader, a mentor and as a caring champion for a vital sector of our Marin and North Bay communities. She's been a true example of public service. Varidda Voraakom