Executive Director

About CHANGE Philanthropy

CHANGE Philanthropy is a coalition of philanthropic networks working together to strengthen bridges across funders and communities. We are transforming philanthropy from within by building knowledge, fostering diversity, and creating connections. We hold a vision of transforming and challenging philanthropic culture to advance equity, benefit all communities, and ignite positive social change.

The CHANGE Philanthropy coalition consists of ten partner organizations: Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, ABFE – A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Native Americans in Philanthropy,  National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Neighborhood Funders Group, the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity, and Women’s Funding Network.

In addition to the internal coalition work, CHANGE Philanthropy hosts the biannual Unity Summit – one of the largest and most diverse conferences in philanthropy – and conducts the Diversity Among Philanthropic Professionals (DAPP) Survey – which aims to help the philanthropic community better understand its workforce and leadership.

CHANGE Philanthropy is currently a team of four full-time staff, including this position, working remotely.

About the Opportunity

Looking to our next chapter, CHANGE Philanthropy seeks a visionary, servant-leader  to facilitate this important coalition as its next Executive Director. This full-time, remote role can be based anywhere in the U.S.

The Director will serve as the central point of contact for coalition partners and the primary guide and manager for CHANGE Philanthropy staff members. They will hold ultimate responsibility for the wellbeing and direction of the coalition, bringing a forward-looking focus to coalition strategy, programming, and advocacy. This is a unique role that reports into an Executive Circle composed of the executives from each of the partner organizations.

Areas of Leadership

Network Weaving and Oversight: Serve as coalition coordinator for the ten partners within CHANGE Philanthropy. Identify and facilitate shared needs, goals, and opportunities for partners. Develop and maintain programs and vehicles for partners to collaborate for impact. Apply a facilitative leadership approach to move partner organizations toward joint strategic planning and campaign-building. Work with CHANGE Philanthropy staff to implement a comprehensive strategy and work plan to support the coalition.

Key Requirements: Demonstrated ability to create and hold a professional network, either through organizing, membership work, board leadership, or another similar structure. History of working with constituents that bring varied perspectives, listening deeply and distilling their needs. Deep experience facilitating and leading meetings and/or retreats and guiding through consensus-building and mediation. Track record of building and carrying out a strategy and work plan with deliverables to be achieved through collaboration and delegation.

Staff Leadership: Guide and coach the CHANGE Philanthropy staff in strengthening the  collaborative partnership among coalition members through facilitation, planning, project management, and program delivery. Engage with CHANGE staff to center the core values and priorities of CHANGE Philanthropy within team practices and in connection with partner organizations. Invest in staff members’ professional growth and leadership, fostering a supportive and joyful work environment.

Key Requirements: Experience managing teams of at least 3-4 people with an asset-based approach that centers equity and care for a highly skilled, diverse set of colleagues. Understanding of and familiarity with concepts of decolonization, liberation, feminism, and justice within the philanthropic and/or organizational context. Demonstrated strengths in listening, giving and providing feedback, delegation, and working in collaboration.

Operational leadership: Provide day-to-day oversight of the organizational structure that supports the CHANGE Philanthropy coalition. Manage coordination with the fiscal sponsor. Ensure organizational viability through financial management and building sustainable funding streams with partner organizations and foundation donors as the lead fundraiser.

Key Requirements: Previous oversight of budgets with ability to manage expenses and revenue. Experience developing proposals, soliciting institutional funders, reporting on outcomes, and stewarding donor relationships.

Programmatic oversight: Through partnership with staff, create and deliver programming to support the needs and interests of CHANGE partners, including communications, working groups, research and data management, publications, and training. Oversee the bi-annual Unity Summit (with the next Summit planned for 2023), from strategy to implementation and follow-up, in collaboration with staff and CHANGE partners. Apply knowledge of the philanthropic landscape and/or philanthropic intermediaries to assess opportunities for partners and to advance solutions.

Key Requirements: Previous success with complex project management and event planning. Strong ability to maintain focus to high-level goals while staying attentive to detail. Experience working within or adjacent to philanthropy is key, ideally with exposure to philanthropic service organizations (PSOs).

External representation: Represent the shared voice of the coalition within the philanthropic community, building on campaigns and messages determined jointly by partner organizations. Leverage public speaking, trainings, publications, organizational social media, and individual interactions to reflect the priorities of the CHANGE coalition. Build and maintain relationships with peer organizations and leaders.

Key Requirements: Experience serving as the voice of complex issues, in public speaking, writing, and interpersonal communication. Ability to differentiate coalition messages from individual messages and to serve as a frontline spokesperson for a unified agenda. Comfort engaging with diverse audiences around policies and practices related to the intersection of philanthropy with identity, class, and power.

This position is expected to have approximately 40-50% travel, based on attendance at key conferences, retreats, and meetings nationally. Travel may include weekends and evenings.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Liberation

CHANGE Philanthropy is based on the core values of: Centering Community, Positive Social Change, Collaboration, Intersectional Approach, and Honoring Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. We strive to live these values in our daily work, including serving as a workplace and organizational community that honors and welcomes people of color, women, and people in the disabled and LGBTQ+ communities. CHANGE Philanthropy is an equal opportunity employer.

Salary, Location, and Benefits

The salary range for the Executive Director is $180,000 to $200,000, based on experience.

The CHANGE Philanthropy team operates on a four-day work week of 32-35 hours per week with flexible schedules. Each employee receives up to 20 PTO days, in addition to up to 15 organizational holidays and days off.

This is a remote position and staff are provided with a $500 stipend for remote office set-up and laptop, biannual stipends of $250 for evolving remote office needs, stipends of $40/month for snacks and $100/month for home office technology, a $2,500 per year honoraria for individual wellness, and an annual budget for professional development ($3,500 in 2022).

To Apply

This search is being managed by Axis Talent Partners, a boutique search firm that partners with social impact organizations. Interested candidates can apply here.

Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis, with preference for those applying before September 30th. A Search Committee representing the CHANGE Philanthropy coalition includes:

• Storme Gray, Executive Director of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (Chair)
• Saida Agostini-Bostic, President of Funders for LGBTQ Issues
• Amalia Brindis Delgado, Vice President, Strategy of Hispanics in Philanthropy
• Erik Stegman, Chief Executive Officer of Native Americans in Philanthropy
• Lori Villarosa, Executive Director of the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity
• Lyle Matthew Kan, Interim National Director of CHANGE Philanthropy (ex-officio)