President & CEO

OUR STORY

We bring together people and organizations that want to make a difference in our region. It began in 1993 when a group of visionary community leaders founded the Community Foundation of Mendocino County (Community Foundation) as a permanent endowment that would benefit residents throughout the county for generations to come. We are a county-wide nonprofit organization that administers permanent charitable funds established through gifts and bequests from individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations. Through our efforts, we help donors realize their individual philanthropic goals which have a tremendous and lasting impact on Mendocino County.

Our purpose is to offer people effective ways to advance the well-being of our communities, which we accomplish by engaging donors, making grants, and acting as a community catalyst for positive change. The Community Foundation is comprised of board, staff and volunteers representing each of the seven geographically distinct regions of Mendocino County. Accredited by the National Council on Foundations, we provide leadership, expertise and capital to build local resources and opportunities and serve as a resource for nonprofit, civic, tribal, government and philanthropic organizations.

For additional information, please visit: Home - Community Foundation of Mendocino County

MISSION

We inspire and steward generosity to foster vibrant, inclusive and healthy communities throughout Mendocino County.

VISION

We envision a thriving, equitable Mendocino County that is resilient, where every resident can learn, create, contribute, prosper and reach their full potential.

VALUES

Stewardship: We are thoughtful and responsible fiduciaries of the assets under our care.

Integrity: We are reliable and trustworthy, and we conduct our business with transparency.

Inclusivity: We engage people of diverse lived experiences in our work and use equity as a driving force in our governance and business practices.

Leadership: We take initiative and inspire new ideas and programs to transform our communities.

Responsiveness: We listen and are nimble in response to community needs.

Innovation: We adapt to change, embrace creativity and advance resourceful solutions.

LOCATION

The Community Foundation maintains an office in Ukiah, California with the expectation that the new President & CEO will be a resident of the county. The President & CEO will be onsite initially, with flexible/hybrid arrangements available once they are fully established in the role.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

We strive to engage in meaningful dialogue with the many diverse communities within Mendocino County. Our goal is to develop respectful and trusting relationships and honor all cultures, values, and world views. We acknowledge that barriers exist to fully realizing our vision and are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and the larger community and see it as an expression of our mission.

compensation & benefits

JOB SUMMARY

The President & CEO role at Community Foundation of Mendocino County is a tremendous opportunity to lead one of the top philanthropic organizations in the region. This will be a highly visible leader in the community while working in close partnership with the Board of Directors, a total staff of 8, and direct supervision of 4 team members: Director of Philanthropy and Communications, Director of Finance and Administration, Director of Programs and Scholarships, and Strategy and Partnership Specialist.

This leader will demonstrate a visionary outlook, a strategic mindset, and an empathetic heart, ensuring that our philanthropic efforts to improve the region remain at the core of everything we do. The President & CEO has responsibility for Community Foundation's overall well-being and growth, through their leadership in developing, implementing, and improving organization-wide strategies across fiscal, operational, donor development, marketing, and programmatic areas.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Provide clear vision and direction to both the board and staff, ensuring our core values are consistently reflected in everything we do, both inside and outside the organization.
• Collaborate closely with the board to strengthen governance and membership and work together to create and refine the strategic plan.
• Act as the foundation’s primary spokesperson, effectively conveying its mission, vision, and program priorities to a diverse audience, including donors, nonprofit partners, government officials, and the public.
• Build and nurture strong connections with nonprofit organizations and community leaders across the region, understanding and addressing evolving needs, and serving as a key facilitator and resource. In-person meetings with individuals and groups throughout our County are a part of the job and may require frequent driving on our rural roads, and may involve car travel as much as two-to-four hours in a day.
• Represent the foundation in philanthropic circles at local, regional, and national levels, leveraging best practices to address community needs and enhance the organization’s impact.
• Advocate for the value of community philanthropy to the public, nonprofits, and potential donors.

Asset Development

• Foster a culture of philanthropy by encouraging participation from a broad range of supporters and promoting collaborative efforts to address major community challenges.
• Oversee the foundation’s fund development strategy, including evaluating planned-giving tools and managing gift acceptance.
• Ensure exceptional service and stewardship for donors, providing meaningful and timely reports on their investments and grantmaking activities.
• Lead comprehensive marketing and branding initiatives to boost revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporations.
• Focus on growing the foundation’s assets and operational endowment to support long-term sustainability and meet community needs.

Financial Control & Investments

• Ensure robust financial policies and guidelines are in place to protect and effectively use the foundation’s assets, maintain adequate internal controls, and optimize investment returns in compliance with regulations.
• Oversee the annual audit, budgeting process, and monthly financial tracking.
• Provide the board with regular updates on the financial status of the organization, working with investment advisors to align financial management with the foundation’s vision and mission.
• Ensure a steady flow of funds to support the foundation’s mission and allocate resources effectively to meet both current and future needs.

Staff and Operations Management

• Manage daily operations to ensure compliance with all policies, legal, and contractual obligations.
• Recruit, support, and challenge a highly skilled team, delegating responsibilities appropriately; foster open communication; and promote a collaborative and transparent culture where staff are engaged, productive, and thriving.
• Serve as a leading figure in philanthropy, implementing effective donor stewardship strategies and advocating for the foundation’s role as a trusted resource for both donor interests and community needs.
• Maintain a visionary leadership role within the community, staying abreast of local developments and acting as a convener and thought leader to advance regional initiatives.

Philanthropic Focus

• Stay knowledgeable about the philanthropy field, keeping up with trends and best practices, and helping to move the sector forward through innovative thinking and leadership.
• Ensure that philanthropy maintains a strong presence across key sectors including business, education, government, and civic institutions.
• Demonstrate a donor-centric approach to our work by building strong, long-term relationships with donors and prioritizing their needs, values, and motivations.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Executive leadership experience in community foundation or nonprofit settings.
• Prior experience leading philanthropic/fundraising initiatives including individual giving, major gifts and grants.
• Proven success in driving organizational growth and implementing innovative, data-driven programs.
• Experience working with and reporting to a large, engaged board at a strategic level.
• Proven ability to manage complexity within organizations and engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated track record of engaging with local communities with a reputation for authentic relationship building.
• Knowledge about investments, donor-advised funds, and planned giving tools is desirable.
• Extensive experience in financial and organizational management, including fund accounting and regulatory standards for community foundations.
• Background in grantmaking or nonprofit assessment and development best practices.
• Skilled in developing and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Effective leader with experience in team building, training, and mentoring.
• Proficient in financial management, business decision-making, and representing an organization.
• Experience in long-range planning, policy development, and strategic execution.
• Knowledgeable about GAAP, IRS regulations for nonprofits, and community foundation standards.
• Valid driver's license and safe driving record.