Eugene Education Foundation

Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Position: Full-time flex or hybrid as needed (in-person meetings, events and fundraising)

Salary: $85,000-$95,000/year

Benefits: Healthcare stipend, retirement, cell phone stipend, generous PTO

Location: Eugene, OR

Who We Are:

Since 1993, the Eugene Education Foundation (EEF) has connected the community with programs and projects in every school in Eugene School District 4J in order to increase opportunities for enrichment for all students. 4J currently serves over 16,000 students across 85% of Eugene’s area in 35 schools.

As EEF looks to the future of supporting public education, the board of directors has reaffirmed its support of the organization and on EEF’s strategic investment areas:

• Enrichment - We invest to expose children to a world of possibilities and spark a love of learning.
• Ready to Learn - We invest to build strong foundations for learning success.
• Pathways – We invest to cultivate skills for a diverse range of talents and dreams.

About You & the Opportunity:

The next EEF Executive Director will have a belief in and understanding of the value of quality public education and the impact it has on students’ lives. The Executive Director will be skilled at building strong relationships and leveraging connections to meet fundraising goals. They will have extensive experience in setting priorities and implementing action plans that grow teams and funding to achieve our strategic pillars.

If you are excited about the opportunity to move the needle on education in the Eugene School District and to use your storytelling skills, to find creative solutions, to raise awareness with our community and our partners and be an active community representative, we want to talk to you.

Position Summary

Eugene Education Foundation is seeking its next Executive Director to implement our strategic plan and grow EEF to bring more dollars to our schools. The Executive Director will lead the board of directors and small staff to maximize fundraising and engagement with the schools within the 4J District. We are a growing organization that has only begun to see the full impact of our work in our community. This position is a key spokesperson for EEF focusing on community outreach and marketing to increase awareness and support that grows the EEF team, school funding and mission.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities

Development & Fundraising

Implement the Foundation’s fundraising goals, including donor identification, solicitation, and stewardship through Individual giving, Events, Corporate Giving and Grants:

• Develop a well-rounded revenue structure that enables EEF to expand its grantmaking.
• Draft and submit proposals and grants to local businesses and foundations.
• Develop information on impact, opportunities, and engagement.
• Highlight work with donors and volunteers who are working in tandem with schools to meet success metrics.
• Use current database, board and community relationships, past grant information, and direct outreach to understand donors and build an effective donor engagement plan.

Strategic Implementation and Leadership

EEF has a strategic plan in place through 2026 to move the organization forward through our key values. The Executive Director will use the strategic pillars to support staff and board members in improving EEF activities to implement change within our community.

• Hire Staff to implement administrative policies and procedures.
• Provide oversight operations and decision making for all internal operations, policies, and structures.
• Build constructive relationships with all EEF stakeholders (schools, donors, community).
• Work closely with the Executive Committee to ensure the strength and engagement of Board members.
• Build and develop a strong team of staff, supporters, and volunteers.

Marketing and Communications

The Executive Director will work with the board to implement communication strategies to share the story of EEF. These stories highlight the quality of our schools and students and allow donors to “walk alongside” of our schools.

• Guide effective marketing and public relations efforts to build EEF’s visibility within the community.
• Represent EEF in the Eugene community and the State of Oregon.
• Work cooperatively with the 4J School District to ensure a coordinated message of priorities.

Financial Management

The Executive Director is the primary staff person with oversight of budgets, cashflow, grant reporting, tax reporting and the like. This important work is supported by board and contract support.

• Develop an annual operating budget in conjunction with Finance Committee.
• Provide board members with monthly financial report.
• Ensure the timely distribution of grant funds to the district and the schools.
• Respond to and complete financial reporting for grants, annual filings, etc.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of experience managing a nonprofit, including budgeting and board management.
• 5+ years fundraising experience with successful generation of new revenue through a variety of strategies including grants, individual, and corporate.
• Established record of strong communication, collaboration, and building effective relationships.
• Ability and demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic plans.

Additional Desired Skills & Abilities

• Growing organizations and making an impact in our community.
• Experience and a passion for DEI and working with culturally and economically diverse communities.
• Experience with marketing and communications through social media, CRM, campaigns, etc.
• in and experience with public education.

HOW TO APPLY

Nonprofit Professionals Now is pleased to be working with the Eugene Education Foundation on this key leadership position.

All applications must contain a resume and cover letter. Once materials are submitted, NPN staff will review as part of the hiring process.

Application Deadline: March 21, 2023

Eugene Education Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invested in building diverse staff and board that represent the full community of Eugene. All applications received are reviewed by 2 or more individuals and full consideration will be given for lived experience.