Chief Executive Officer

Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) supports community-centered organizations led by and serving people of color to have access to the financial resources and knowledge needed to realize the community’s aspirations. As an equity-centered nonprofit and community development financial institution (CDFI), NFF supports its partners through tailored capital, strategic advice, and accessible insights. NFF knows that nonprofit leaders have power when they have access to capital and financial knowledge. NFF’s strategy focuses on helping to shift that power by changing funding and financing practices so more money flows equitably and with less restriction to community-centered organizations led by and serving people of color, so they can be the drivers of their own change.

At a critical juncture in our country, NFF is seeking its next Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into a new era of impact. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive transformation both internally and across the systems, policies, and practices of the nonprofit finance sector to strive toward a just and equitable world where all communities can grow and thrive. The CEO will work closely with the board and staff to lead on strategic planning and implementation of NFF’s recent mission and vision work. Reporting to NFF’s Board of Directors, the CEO will guide, empower, and steward all essential functions of the organization including board governance support, community engagement, thought leadership, organizational management, fundraising, and financial oversight.

The next CEO will be a committed, values-driven leader with the skills and savvy to navigate a multifaceted enterprise during a period of transition and lead the Board and staff in a strategic planning process to envision what is next for NFF. They will bring a track record of innovative leadership, strong organizational design, and management skills to the work of NFF and pursue opportunities to expand the organization’s national impact. They will also bolster internal capacity and organizational infrastructure, while cultivating meaningful relationships and collaborations with Board members, staff, current funders, and new prospective supporters and partners.

The ideal candidate will have experience in driving impact for communities through nonprofit organizations and networks and will be able to leverage NFF’s existing capacities. They will bring exceptional communications skills to the work of elevating NFF’s mission and nurture connectivity and culture among staff and stakeholders.

THE OPPORTUNITY – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Together with the Board and staff, the CEO should expect to engage in the following leadership opportunities:

Leadership & Vision

The CEO will be a passionate advocate for NFF’s commitment to move toward transformative approaches in and beyond the CDFI sector, and will steward the organization’s deepening commitment to equity and addressing the effects of systemic racism in partnership with the communities it serves. Working collaboratively, the CEO will build on the strategy framework already developed through extensive collaboration among NFF staff and board. The CEO will lead the next phase of work with further strategy development, business model design, and organizational development to give more definition to and operationalize the strategy framework NFF has developed. They will steward effective change management to realize the organization’s refreshed mission and vision.

Centering Community and Advancing Equity

Aligned with NFF’s mission and vision, the CEO will build and nurture honest, authentic, and accountable relationships with impacted communities. They will embody and actualize an organization-wide commitment to listening to, working with, and learning from community partners that leads to well-resourced programs and initiatives that reflect community needs and advance equity. The CEO will recognize the intention and imperfection of past efforts and work to rebuild and fortify relationships with communities, particularly BIPOC communities and partners.

External Relations and Fundraising

The CEO will authentically and passionately represent the organization externally to community, funders, government, and other partners to share and build support for NFF’s vision and mission. They will work closely with the development and communications team to further refine and implement a strategic external relations and fundraising plan and strengthen relationships with foundations, individual donors, government entities, and other partners to diversify and grow funding and revenue streams.

Organizational Management

NFF’s passionate and growing staff are the heart of the organization. Throughout the COVID pandemic, racial justice uprising, and organizational change, staff have tirelessly pushed the organization to think differently about the changing and increased needs of NFF and its partners. In partnership with the senior leadership team, the CEO will lead and nurture a deeply committed staff of over 100 across the country and bring strong business and financial acumen to manage an operating budget of $24.9 million. They will foster a culture that values equity, transparency, trust, clear communication, and collaboration across the organization and will advance effective business operations. This includes aligning growth with mission, planning for sustainability, and advancing internal policies and practices that reflect the organization’s core values.

Board Relations & Governance

The CEO will partner with the Board to ensure transparency and accountability in organizational governance, financial health, and compliance. Together with staff, the new CEO and board will further build and implement the next phase of the strategic plan and support staff to operationalize NFF’s vision and renewed focus on racial equity and communities of color. They will work closely to continue to grow the Board’s connection to and representation of NFF’s work.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

Connection to the Mission

• Deep knowledge of and passion for nonprofits, racial equity, and CDFIs will be essential. Familiarity with the nonprofit and CDFI sectors through professional or lived experience and understanding of the unique dynamics at play and historic relationships with communities of color and nonprofit finance.
• Deep commitment and practice in advancing equity and anti-racism; sophisticated understanding of transformative systems change, and the vision to shift historic programs, systems, and policies toward that vision.

Organizational & Operational Leadership

• Proven experience developing strategic plans and operationalizing a planning process and actionable steps that aligns programs and resources with mission and values.
• Commitment to equity, approaching the work with an open-mind, and centering the voices of those most impacted by oppressive systems and structures.
• Empathy, expertise stewarding change management, and emotional intelligence to guide and further cultivate a values-centered, positive, supportive, and transparent work environment.
• Entrepreneurial skills and demonstrated organizational, financial, and operational management expertise of a similar sized organization.
• Experience guiding and aligning consulting, communications, policy, technology, human resources, and other operational functions for maximum mission impact.
• Interpersonal savvy to authentically build external relationships with funders, partners, government, and community that collaboratively advance shared goals.
• Strategic fundraising orientation to effectively nurture and sustain relationships with mission aligned donors and experience raising significant investments from public and private sources, including individuals and foundations.

Values & Management Style

• Strong relationship-building skills, internally and externally, and an authentic interest in listening to and learning from others. Ability to establish trust, engage partners and community, and act with intentionality and accountability.
• Powerful communicator one on one, in small group settings, and with large audiences. Ability to authentically share the mission of NFF that draws in others.
• Collaborative leadership style, an openness to shared leadership, and an internal management style that breaks down silos and fosters mutual learning and cross team collaboration.
• A record of bringing a holistic lens to leadership in regard to race, socioeconomics, gender, sexuality, and identities impacted by systemic barriers to equity.

The Basics

• Ability and willingness to travel and spend time in all of NFF’s office locations, and the adaptability to work effectively in a wide variety of geographic, political, and cultural settings.
• Combination of educational and lived experience aligned with NFF’s mission and values.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & WORK LOCATION

NFF is invested in discussing the depth and breadth of each candidate’s background and experience during the interview process and using that information to determine the best offer. The salary range for this position will be commensurate with experience and alignment with desired qualifications for the role. NFF also provides an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, standard holidays, and commuter benefits.

The salary range for this role will be shared with all interested prospects and applicants.

TO APPLY

More information about Nonprofit Finance Fund may be found at:  nff.org

This search is being led by Linh Nguyen, Sarah Hecklau, Yuniya Khan of NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.

Nonprofit Finance Fund is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce. We encourage candidates that will help NFF live out this commitment to apply.

NFF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or military or veteran status in accordance with federal law. In addition, NFF complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it maintains facilities. NFF also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.