Executive Director

Background

Founded in 1974, the Federation for Children with Special Needs is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that annually supports more than 45,000 families, youth, and children. The Federation was the nation’s first federally funded parent information and training center.

The mission of the Federation is to empower families, engage underserved communities, and eliminate barriers to improve life outcomes for all children and young adults, especially those with disabilities.

The Federation’s welcoming approach to family engagement promotes access and opportunity for children with disabilities and others facing systemic obstacles to success. We champion families’ vital role in their children’s education, healthcare, and overall well­being, and empower families not only to navigate key systems for their own child but also to use their voice to advocate for systemic change.

The Federation’s work is supported by multilingual staff members fluent in more than 10 languages as well as partnerships with a broad range of parent leaders. Our outreach and educational programs support both families and the professionals who work with them. Through our partnerships with state agencies, school districts, and parent-led groups, we have built lasting relationships that tap into the transformative power of family leadership.

The Federation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the majority of whom are parents of children with disabilities. The board also includes community leaders, individuals who work in special education and related fields that represent the population we serve. There are over 60 employees, with 85% of the staff either the caregiver of a child with disabilities, or a person with a disability. Hundreds of active volunteers support our work and provide assistance to families. Headquartered in Boston, MA, the Federation has an annual budget of approximately $6 million. For more information, please visit our website at www.fcsn.org.

Our Current Circumstances

The Federation stands at a pivotal moment of opportunity: to build on a strong foundation of strategy and culture through innovation and expansion. Under the leadership of retiring Executive Director Pam Nourse, the organization has earned widespread credibility for its

comprehensive subject matter expertise, its dedicated staff, and the authentic lived experience of families and children who are core to its mission. The Federation has successfully secured numerous government contracts to support and educate families, school districts, and providers—to assure the best possible outcomes for children and families. It has made important strides in integrating diverse internal expertise into a more coordinated and agile structure, significantly enhancing the Federation's ability to address complex challenges. Importantly, it has also extended its reach to serve our most vulnerable and isolated communities, while cultivating a staff that reflects and understands those communities.

As we begin this search, we acknowledge some uncertainty about future federal funding for certain programs. While we remain hopeful that this support will continue, the Federation is well-positioned to adapt if necessary. Our core programs—constituting the majority of our services—will continue uninterrupted, supported by solid financial resources.

Historically, the Federation’s strengths have been rooted in advocacy for those most in need, process improvement, service delivery, and effective government relations. Our lean yet highly capable management and operations team is ready to take the next step—toward growth, innovation, and broader impact.

Looking ahead, we envision a new chapter that builds on our strengths. Diversifying funding sources will be key. We believe our brand does not yet fully reflect the power of our advocacy, the extent of our innovations and expertise, or the impact of our services to families across the entirety of our economic and social spectrum.

The board is committed to working with the next Executive Director to elevate public and philanthropic awareness of the Federation’s vital work. In collaboration with this new leader, we intend to recruit board members or volunteers with philanthropic experience who share our commitment to advancing the rights of children and families. Fee-for-service training and consulting opportunities with private schools and other local and national institutions may also be an option for the board and new Executive Director to consider.

Role and Qualifications

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is the key organizational leader of the Federation. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing strategic leadership, organization growth and stability, team leadership and management, programs, financial planning and development of the organization. This leader will strategically align programs, finances, and operations with our mission, advocating effectively for families and children with disabilities. Key responsibilities include fundraising, broadening our collaborations with partners, funders, and advocates, and enhancing organizational effectiveness. The ideal candidate brings proven leadership experience, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a deep commitment to equity and family advocacy.

We seek an Executive Director who brings strengths in communication, advocacy, development, and public policy, who shares our values and our collaborative culture. This leader will inspire our team, support continued process improvement and innovation, and amplify the Federation’s visibility, support, and resources for the future.

Compensation

Annual salary for this position is in the range of $130,000 to $150,000, negotiable upwards depending on the experience and background of the successful candidate. Benefits include 25 days of vacation, 4 personal days, and 12 days of sick leave per year. We also provide health and dental insurance, a 403b retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution after one year of employment, and long-and short-term disability insurance.

Application

A resume and cover letter may be submitted in confidence to: FCSN@fordwebb.com