Chair of the Board of Directors

Masa seeks a Board Chair to lead the organization’s Board of Directors. The Chair role is essential to ensuring the organization’s strategic development and long-term sustainability. The ideal candidate will be passionate about Masa’s mission and guided by a deeply-held commitment to social and racial justice, and will possess a track record of effective leadership in the government, philanthropy, education, or nonprofit sector.

ABOUT MASA

Masa partners with Mexican and Latin American children, youth, and families in the South Bronx to develop strong learners and leaders who fully contribute to the larger community. We envision a community that is civically engaged, empowered, and educated.

Masa’s community-led, integrated model engages the entire family, grounded in a deep commitment to strengthening literacy, leadership, and power for Mexican, Central American, and Indigenous People. Masa fosters a culturally responsive learning community in which families engage with direct service and advocacy programs to dismantle barriers to success.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Executive Director (ED) and Board of Directors
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the ED
• Cultivate relationships with funders, partners, and other stakeholders
• Act as an ambassador for the organization, grounded in thorough understanding of Masa’s mission, values, programs, and strategic objectives

Governance

• Plan and facilitate Board and committee meetings
• Partner with the Executive Director to ensure that Board resolutions are carried out
• Support the ED and Governance Committee in recruiting and onboarding new Board Members
• Regularly consult with Board Members on their roles and support them in setting and meeting goals
• Manage communications with Board Members, including timely responses to email and phone inquiries
• As a Board Member, approve Masa’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions, and be informed of, and meet, all legal and fiduciary duties

Organizational Oversight and Strategic Planning

• Support organizational strategic planning processes, including prioritizing community member engagement
• Coordinate and executive an annual performance evaluation of the ED
• Ensure organization has appropriate succession plans in place
• Oversee searches for new executive staff, as needed

Fundraising

• In collaboration with the ED, generate substantial revenue and foster Masa’s fiscal health and sustainability
• Personally treat Masa as a top philanthropic priority, as reflected in a generous annual financial gift and regular attendance at fundraising events
• Ensure that 100% of Masa’s Board Members make an appropriate annual contribution (target: $5,000)
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major individual donors, corporate, and/or foundation gifts

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess a passion for Masa’s mission of strengthening literacy, leadership, and power for Mexican, Central American, and Indigenous People
• Share Masa’s commitment to advancing social and racial justice through a community-led model
• Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in education, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector
• Skilled project manager, with ability to shepherd long-term projects
• Excellent strategist, with capacity to envision the “big picture” and the steps necessary to achieve it
• Track record of cultivating robust fundraising relationships and soliciting major gifts
• Savvy communicator with ability to cultivate relationships, facilitate discussion, navigate conflict, and build consensus
• Skilled public speaker
• Prior Board Member experience

TERM

Masa’s Board Chair (and all Board Members) serve a two-year term with the opportunity for reappointment. Board meetings are held on a quarterly basis. Committee meetings are held in coordination with full Board meetings.

Service on Masa’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, travel, and accommodation costs related to Board Member duties.