Executive Director, Brookline Community Foundation

Seeks Executive Director

About the Brookline Community Foundation

The Brookline Community Foundation (“BCF”) is a trusted philanthropic community anchor and partner dedicated to ensuring that everyone who lives, learns, works, and plays in Brookline can prosper and thrive.

With roots dating back to the 19th century, BCF has evolved from its origins as a direct service provider into a strategic fundraiser, grantmaker, and nonprofit convener and catalyzer. It remains the only broad-based charitable foundation focused exclusively on Brookline.

Fundraising and Grantmaking: Since 1999, BCF has granted over $15 million to nonprofit and similar partners which have met critical needs, expanded opportunity and equity, and strengthened the fabric of the Brookline community. These funds come from (i) individual, family and business donations raised by BCF in two annual fundraising campaigns, including targeted and sector funds, (ii) earned income and investment income from BCF’s $16 million endowment, (iii) opportunistic Brookline town fund grants, such as from Federal ARPA funds, and (iv) to a lesser extent, private foundation grants. BCF has made over 1,400 grants in areas like educational enrichment, culture and the arts, economic mobility programs, mental health, support for basic needs like food and housing, and more. BCF has also funded over 330 scholarships to Brookline High School seniors with financial need.

Convening, Catalyzing and Collaborating: BCF combines deep knowledge of local needs with the ability to convene, collaborate, and catalyze action in the Brookline nonprofit community. Our groundbreaking “Understanding Brookline” report and database (free and available to the public) not only helps guide BCF’s own giving by highlighting changing needs, but is also a trusted resource for local nonprofits and the Town. BCF is often the first funder to back new ideas and emerging leaders, providing critical early support and guidance. BCF also provides consistent ongoing support to long-standing organizations so they can sustain essential services and grow their impact. Finally, the foundation also regularly convenes Brookline nonprofit leaders to promote collaboration and strengthen their combined effectiveness.

Guided by the values of listening, equity, sustainability, and putting community first, BCF helps ensure that every resident has access to the essentials for a healthy, vibrant life—and that local voices shape decisions and investments. You can learn more about BCF by accessing its 2024-25 Annual Report or click here to learn more about community foundations.

BCF 2025 highlights, which have received extensive coverage in Brookline.news and Boston.com, include:

• Rapidly convening 25 Brookline nonprofits and community partners to coordinate responses to the SNAP emergency (a group that now meets regularly); and
• Launching a groundbreaking guaranteed income pilot, “UpTogether Brookline,” providing $750 a month, no strings attached, for one year to 53 households living in Brookline public housing or receiving Section 8 rental assistance.

BCF currently employs an interim executive director and two staff, supplemented by temporary consultants for development and communications, and has recently outsourced the finance/accounting and human resources functions. BCF has an annual budget of about $2 million and granted $1.3 million in 2025. The foundation is overseen by a volunteer, twelve-member Board of Trustees, comprised of a diverse group of Brookline community leaders. With an engaged board and a strong record of leadership during periods of transition, BCF is poised for its next chapter of growth and impact under a new executive director.

Opportunity Going Forward

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead a highly respected, mission-driven, and ambitious public charity which is a trusted partner for donors committed to making transformative investments and stewarding and activating collective resources to strengthen the nonprofit sector, create opportunity, and promote equity throughout Brookline. In addition to effectively and efficiently overseeing all foundation operations, finance, governance, and resource development, high priorities for the Executive Director are:

• Building on the foundational work done by the Interim Executive Director and in collaboration with the board, delivering on a more robust business model for BCF, one which allows the foundation to efficiently achieve its mutually agreed upon strategic priorities.
• Strengthening the development infrastructure and strategically engaging donors, the board, and partners to expand and diversify BCF’s revenue streams.
• Shaping a positive, high-performing internal work culture to maximize the capacity and contributions of a small staff and to promote retention.
• Supporting board development to strengthen its effectiveness, solidify the appropriate balance between governance and management, and foster greater participation in fundraising.
• Developing and implementing a communications, marketing, and messaging strategy to promote a common understanding of the foundation’s mission, strategic priorities, resources, and limitations and to support resource development.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

BCF knows that most candidates will not meet all the desired credentials, skills, and qualities listed below, so it encourages prospective candidates to think generously about how their experience and background can meet the desired profile.

Credentials:

• A minimum of five years of senior administrative leadership or equivalent experience with exposure to the work of nonprofits and/or foundations.
• Passion for and commitment to BCF’s mission as well as alignment with its core values.
• Knowledge and understanding of communities similar to Brookline would be advantageous.

Skills and Qualities:

Strategic and Mission-Oriented Leader

• Visionary leader able to work collaboratively to develop common priorities while also contributing a personal vision for organizational growth as well as structural and cultural alignment.
• Successful track record leading an organization of similar scale and size with the ability to strengthen systems, processes, and organizational discipline.
• Entrepreneurial and resourceful mindset to build and lead a small, scrappy nonprofit.
• Able to operationalize and execute effectively, demonstrating strong project management and executive-function skills, with the ability to stay disciplined to minimize mission creep.
• Able to manage the prompt and accurate reporting of financial statements and to ensure compliance with all regulatory, audit, and reporting requirements, in each case with the support of outsourced financial professionals and the Board Treasurer.

Community Connector and Savvy Networker

• Skilled convener who brings together diverse stakeholders, builds consensus, and develops trust.
• Inspired to be BCF’s articulate and passionate spokesperson and community representative with strong networking and public speaking skills.
• Charismatic, engaging, and approachable ambassador who can position BCF as a go-to institution in Brookline.
• Eager to be present, engaged, and visible in the community to create deep connections and partnerships within the town’s unique political environment where it is frequently necessary to navigate strong, diverse viewpoints.

Experienced Fundraiser and Board Partner

• Track record of successful fundraising with the ability to innovate on and execute a robust development plan which diversifies revenue streams.
• Able to cultivate and steward donors with specific experience engaging major donors and comfort with “making the ask” regardless of the amount requested.
• Savvy, strategic, and persistent relationship builder who engages proactively with volunteers, residents, nonprofits, and the broader community seeing all as potential BCF donors.
• Knowledge of board best practices, assisting the board to establish and set limits and boundaries and striking the appropriate and consistent balance between governance and management.

Relationship-Centered Team Builder

• Team builder who can hire well, delegate appropriately, and develop and retain staff.
• Fair, consistent, supportive manager who engages staff, mentors others, and leads by example.
• High emotional and cultural intelligence with a commitment to hearing and respecting all voices so staff, community members, and partners feel valued and heard.
• Humble, grounded, self-aware, open to feedback, and willing to “listen and learn” before acting.
• Comfortable navigating difficult conversations and resolving conflicts to advance BCF’s mission.

Compensation, Benefits, and Work Environment:

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with a starting salary range of $160,000 to $180,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications. BCF offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes health and dental insurance as well as a 403b retirement match up to 4%. BCF offers 14 paid holidays and unlimited time off (Responsible Paid Time Off policy). Based on the annual budget, each employee is allocated an amount towards personal professional development.

BCF works in a hybrid model. This role will require onsite work in BCF’s office and active participation in the Brookline community. The office is located in Brookline near public transportation (bus and T).

Additional Information and Application Process

BCF recognizes and values diversity as a vital characteristic. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment and advancement without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, receipt of public benefits (including housing subsidies), family status (e.g. because one has or doesn’t have children), or other protected classes as defined by the Brookline, State and Federal law.

Candidate must include a resume and a cover letter, both in PDF format, which describe how qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of BCF. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Upload required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

This executive search is being conducted by Eos Transition Partners consultant, John Tarvin. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential, and any questions can be submitted to John at: jtarvin@eostransitions.com.