Jeff Clarke

The Council on Foundations announced today that Jeff Clarke, a veteran grant maker, will take over as interim president on September 1.

Mr. Clarke serves as a senior fellow at the Rasmuson Foundation, in Anchorage. He previously worked for nine years as the Alaska foundation’s vice president.

“Jeff Clarke is a well-known and widely respected philanthropic leader with strong management expertise and a proven track record in the field,” Carol Larson, who chairs the council’s board, said in a statement. “His experience and vision will be tremendous assets to the council.”

Mr. Clarke will succeed Steve Gunderson, who announced last month that he plans to resign in September. Mr. Gunderson has led the Washington association of grant makers for the past six years.

During that time, membership in the organization slid and the council was forced to trim its staff size by about 30 percent.