May 30, 2011 | Read Time: 1 minute
Why he’s leaving: Gary D. Bass, who started the government-accountability group OMB Watch in 1983, says he is leaving his post as executive director of the Washington nonprofit because “it’s the responsibility of a founder to think of an organization in the long term, to let it move on and grow to the next generation and beyond.”
Who’t taking over: Katherine McFate, program officer for government performance and accountability at the Ford Foundation.
Biggest accomplishment: Mr. Bass says he is most proud of the leadership role OMB Watch has taken in protecting the advocacy voice of nonprofit organizations, staunching the influence of special interests over public policy, and promoting government transparency.
Biggest challenge: Raising money. OMB Watch, with a $2.7-million budget this year, gets most of its money from foundations. Another challenge, Mr. Bass says, has been building the patience that policy work demands. “With policy fights, you are looking at changes over time, and that is something we always have to remind ourselves, our staff, and our supporters,” he says.
Background: Mr. Bass, 57, has a combined doctorate in psychology and education from the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. He served as president of the Human Services Information Center, in Washington, OMB Watch’s predecessor organization, which helped nonprofits understand the impact of federal budget decisions on social-service programs.
Salary: About $110,000 a year.
What’s next: In July, Mr. Bass will assume the role of executive director of the Bauman Foundation, in Washington, which supports efforts to promote civic participation and environmental advocacy.
