The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation welcomes next Executive Director, Erik Torch

Erik Torch

The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation Board of Directors is excited to announce Erik Torch as the organization’s next Executive Director. Erik will assume the position held by the Foundation’s first Executive Director, Joan Gardner-Goodno, who has served in this role since 2007.

“Erik brings a depth of experience in philanthropy, great knowledge of the Foundation’s service area, and a strong commitment to community service. We are excited to have him join our efforts” states Board President Steve Surbaugh.

Erik has served as the Director of Grantmaking for the Northland Foundation for the past 14 years, where he oversaw nearly $2M in annual grantmaking, and a number of special initiatives to increase support to Indigenous communities. Prior to joining the Northland Foundation, Erik was the Executive Director of the Damiano Center and a former member of the Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker Community, both located in Duluth. In addition to his work in nonprofits and philanthropy, Erik spent several years abroad working on peace and social justice issues in the former Yugoslavia and in Southeast Asia. Erik holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

“I am thrilled to be chosen as the next Executive Director of the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation. As a former grantee and colleague of the Foundation, I have enormous respect for the way Joan and the Foundation have worked and look forward to continuing this excellent work.”

In his role as the Executive Director, Erik will steward the Foundation’s $27M in assets, administer grantmaking, oversee daily operations, lead staff, and work closely with the Board of Directors. Erik will begin his tenure in late April.

The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation was established in 1975. Upon Mr. Johnson’s passing in 2006, the Foundation hired its first Executive Director and focused its grantmaking efforts on significantly improving life for those living along the North Shore of Minnesota in the communities of Cook, Lake, and Southern St. Louis Counties. Today the Foundation holds $27M in assets and provides over $1M in grants and scholarships annually.