Neighborhood Funders Group Seeks Executive Director
The mission of the Neighborhood Funders Group is to strengthen the capacity of philanthropy to understand and support community-based efforts to organize and improve the economic and social fabric of low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities. Founded in 1980, NFG has grown to a network of over 200 grantmaking institutions. With offices in Washington DC, NFG serves a wide range of members, including rural and urban funders, large to small grantmaking institutions, and grantmakers who are engaged in a range of community development strategies from bricks and mortar housing development to community organizing. Its members include private, public, community, corporate, and religious foundations. (Additional detail below)
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director provides NFG with leadership and direction to accomplish its mission and strategic goals. The Executive Director is responsible for positioning NFG as an affinity group at the forefront of philanthropy; reaching out to and retaining members; and developing relevant networking and educational programs and activities. As NFG’s primary fundraiser, s/he develops and implements a resource development plan. S/he is responsible for developing and implementing NFG’s communication strategy as well as financial and legal oversight. The Director manages a small staff and a number of consultants. S/he reports to and is accountable to the NFG Board of Directors.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
STRATEGY, VISION AND LEADERSHIP
• Provides leadership and guidance in the development, promotion and achievement of NFG’s vision and mission.
• Positions NFG as a thought leader in philanthropy and ensures that NFG is a valued force to improve the structure and substance of philanthropy.
• Leads planning processes to ensure that NFG’s programs and services are meeting the needs of members and serving the fields of community and economic development.
• Works actively with Board to ensure that NFG remains a healthy, vibrant organization.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
• Develops and implements fundraising and earned income plans.
• Ensures the organization’s financial health and sustainability.
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
• Leads efforts to cultivate, nurture, retain and expand membership.
• Develops strong, collaborative working relationships with members, funders, other affinity groups, and leaders of other nonprofit, private, and public sectors at the local, regional and national levels.
• Acts as a spokesperson for NFG and its members.
• Ensures that NFG makes use of emerging technology to engage and educate members and other donors committed to community-based philanthropy.
MANAGEMENT, FINANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES
• Directs and implements day-to-day operations.
• Develops and proposes annual budget and ensures fiscal viability and accountability.
• Ensures compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations and promotes the highest ethical standards.
• Assesses and builds capacity of and collaboration among staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will be someone who is passionate about the health of the nonprofit sector; a deft leader committed to social and economic justice. S/he will be a reflective and strategic thinker, a seasoned manager, and an excellent relationship builder. Qualifications include:
1. Significant executive experience, preferably in the philanthropic or nonprofit field, especially building and running an organization or major program .
2. Excellent relationship building skills with an ability to represent NFG credibly as a leader in the philanthropic and nonprofit communities, and with the public sector.
3. Proven track record in fundraising, earned income and resource development.
4. Demonstrated leadership in at least one, and knowledge of all, of the following:
o Community organizing, housing and economic development;
o Membership and/or trade association management; and,
o Philanthropic and/or nonprofit management.
5. Demonstrated commitment to economic and social justice.
6. Creative and innovative approach to the work, coupled with the ability to navigate the needs of multiple stakeholders.
7. Sound judgment and a keen analytical ability that can be applied to NFG’s operations and finances as well as to evolving philanthropic needs and economic and social trends.
8. A strong administrator who is attentive to detail and skilled at managing and overseeing administrative and financial systems.
9. Ability to recruit, motivate, evaluate, develop and direct staff.
Note that NFG is located in Washington DC; the Executive Director must work from there.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Salary commensurate with background and experience; position provides excellent benefits. The Neighborhood Funders Group is an equal opportunity employer and, as such, strongly encourages applications from women, people of color, and members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities.
Due date for applications is January 6, 2010. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, three references and salary requirements (email applications are strongly encouraged) to:
Melissa Hall
New York Foundation
10 East 34th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016
212-594-8009
mhall [at] nyf [dot] org
All email applications should indicate NFG Application in the subject line.
Please note the following important dates: week of February 2nd, 2010--interviews with search committee; week of February 22nd, 2010--in-person interviews with full Board of Directors.
