Description

We are seeking an inspired and visionary Director of Civic Health (“Director”) to join our dynamic team. This role, in collaboration with the Director of Partnerships and Innovation, will develop and direct the program development and delivery, and the grantmaking activities of Community Foundations for Civic Health (CFCH). 

Community Foundations for Civic Health is a new, national initiative of CFLeads, the Rhode Island Foundation, and the National Civic League that will work to enable all community foundations to confidently strengthen civic health, achieving local impacts at a national scale. The Initiative will help community foundations leverage community leadership to coordinate local efforts, build their own strategies for civic health improvement, access resources to carry out this important work, and learn from one another. 

This position leads and works closely with members of the CFCH Working Group, which is made up of staff from CFLeads, the National Civic League, and the Rhode Island Foundation, as well as the principals of all three organizations.

CFCH has two primary elements – peer learning opportunities and grants – and five secondary elements – technical assistance, curating and customizing resources, local civic health measurement training, Initiative evaluation, and storytelling and amplification – and the Director will oversee design and delivery of these primary and secondary elements, with the support of the CFCH Working Group and the Program Manager. The position receives direction from the CFLeads Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation and is grant-supported and term-limited to 5 years with the potential for extension if additional funding is secured. 

Core Dimensions

Developing and Leading Community Foundations for Civic Health (CFCH)

     The core of this role is developing and leading CFCH, a new national initiative designed to increase the number of community foundations confidently strengthening civic health and achieving local impacts at a national scale. The Director will serve as the CFLead’s primary lead for CFCH, helping community foundations to leverage community leadership, build and execute local civic health improvement plans, access initiative resources, and contribute to a national peer learning network, with the goal of engaging at least 250 community foundations in the first five years.

     Serve as the primary liaison internally for CFCH, ensuring teammates and decision-makers are informed of progress and activity.

     Facilitate team meetings, design agendas, and ensure priorities are accomplished. 

     Collaborate with, connect, and convene key field partners on related civic health efforts.

Program Development and Delivery

     Develop and ensure excellent delivery of virtual learning series, conference sessions in partnership with other Philanthropy Infrastructure Organizations, an annual civic health summit, and cohort training opportunities.

     Provide substantive leadership in the development of technical assistance offerings.

Grantmaking Design and Implementation

     Responsible for the refinement and implementation of a grant strategy that will enable community foundations to learn, experiment, and implement elements of their own civic health strategies. 

     Lead the development of a CFCH grant committee, oversee grant Requests for Proposals and Letters of Intent, the grant portfolios, and work closely with the grant committee and the grant administration staff. 

     With the Program Manager, oversee grant evaluation and learning.

Public Speaking and External Engagement 

     Represent CFLeads and CFCH at public events, webinars, and during CFCH in-person and virtual peer learning offerings.  

     Represent CFLeads and CFCH at conferences and convenings. At times, this could include weekends and evening events. 

     Engage regularly with institutional funders.

     Support national partnerships and strengthen relationships that advance CFCH work.

Program Management  

     Serve as primary liaison internally and externally for CFCH.

     Oversee the curation and customization of resources for community foundations.

     Contribute, with the National Civic League, to efforts to support local civic health measurement training for community foundations.

     Advance storytelling and amplification efforts of CFCH, in partnership with the Program Manager, CFLeads Communications staff, and the CFCH Communications Working Group.

     Within the context of the CFCH Plan, identify key partners and significant strengths, challenges, and opportunities.

     Manage CFCH Grants, including identifying, applying for, and stewarding grant opportunities made available through the initiative to advance CFCH goals. Works closely with the CFLeads Development team. Oversee grant writing and reporting efforts, working with CFLeads staff/consultants; contribute to grant writing and grant reporting, and coordinate the contributions of other members of the CFCH Working Group.

Other Duties

     Contribute to other CFLeads priorities, ensuring that CFCH is well connected to other CFLeads focus areas and is aligned with CFleads strategic plan.

     Collaborate with the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation and other staff on special projects as required.

     Collaborate with colleagues as needed to ensure seamless service for program participants and grantees.

     Field general inquiries and perform other duties as assigned in support of CFCH and CFLeads.

Requirements

Qualifications 

     Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree preferred. Experience may be substituted for an advanced degree.

Skillset, Mindset, Experience, and Key Core Competencies 

Experience

     Minimum of 10 years' experience in the nonprofit sector, preferably with relevant grantmaking experience, relevant content experience in the area of civic health, and/or relevant program design and delivery experience. 

     Draws on a multidisciplinary background beyond philanthropy; requires substantive knowledge of civic health, democracy, pluralism, bridge-building, racial healing, peacebuilding, belonging, common ground work, etc.

     Experience with on-the-ground community-based efforts (Ex. launching initiatives, collaborating with other local institutions, measuring impacts, etc.), either led by community foundations or with other place-based civic actors. 

     Familiarity with civic health frameworks, measurement approaches, and national initiatives — or demonstrated ability to quickly develop this expertise — is strongly preferred.

     Knowledge of the nonprofit space, and ideally experience working with institutional funders.

     Experience participating in or leading national peer learning networks, cohorts, or initiatives for adult audiences is a plus.

Mindset

     Holds a deep commitment to a politically engaged, multi-racial, multi-faith democracy, with hands-on professional experience advancing this vision. 

     Shows genuine respect for and sensitivity toward the diverse lived experiences and unique strengths that social change leaders and organizations from all backgrounds contribute.

     Builds trusting, authentic relationships across a wide range of people through deep listening, candid communication, and openness to being challenged.

     Brings an adaptable, expansive mindset capable of working across multiple theories of change, disciplines, and fields — identifying connections between ideas and recognizing transformative possibilities among leaders, organizations, and movements.

     Proven ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity — strategically and tactically — while helping others stay grounded and purpose-driven amid complexity.

Skillset

     Able to build and steward relationships across national, regional, and local contexts.

     Exceptionally strong verbal and written communication skills and superb attention to detail.

     Organized and adept at managing multiple priorities at one time, with excellent time management skills.

     Ability to travel nationally, up to twice per month on average, and as often as three or four times per month during peak periods.

     Excellent facilitation skills.

     Strong professional judgment and decision-making skills.

     Conscious of quality, relationships, and results.

     Flexible and adaptable, able to accommodate change.

     Values diversity and input.

     Humble and eager learner.

     Team player who embraces a collaborative work culture and provides high-quality customer service both inside and outside of CFLeads and the initiative.