BOULDER — Barbara B. Pingrey will step down as president and chief executive of Foothills United Way at the end of March.

Pingrey has led the nonprofit organization for the past 15 years, joining it in 1998 when it was called Boulder County United Way.

An executive search committee will begin accepting applications for a new president and CEO. A full job description and announcement can be found at www.unitedwayfoothills.org. The deadline to apply is Dec. 5.

Under Pingrey’s leadership, the organization transformed from being primarily a funder of local health and human service nonprofit organizations to a leading partner, innovator and collaborator in the nonprofit sector.

During Pingrey’s tenure, Foothills United Way:

• took a leadership role in the development of the statewide 2-1-1 Information and Referral System

• joined with local governments to create the first-ever Boulder County Human Services Strategic Plan, creating a road map for the future of health and human services in the county

• established the ground-breaking Nonprofit Cultivation Center, designed to help local nonprofit organizations do their work more efficiently and effectively

• created and managed the successful Fourmile Fire Recovery project and its successor, Boulder Mountain Resources

• partnered with Boulder County to develop the Personal Investment Enterprise Program, a matched savings account program for low-income individuals and families.

Pingrey was also instrumental in re-establishing the Volunteer Connection of Boulder County as a United Way program.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I can say that we are very sorry to be losing Barbara,” said Jon Kottke, the volunteer chairman of Foothills United Way’s board of directors. “She has been a wonderful, dedicated, caring president and CEO of Foothills United Way over the past 15 years. We will miss her, but we thank her for all she has done for Foothills United Way and our community, and we wish her and her family all the best.”

“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve our communities through Foothills United Way,” said Pingrey. “I am grateful to have worked with so many people who care deeply about their community and who willingly share their time and resources to address critical needs and affect positive change.”