Executive Director

Executive Director

Concord Carlisle Foundation

Location: Concord, MA

Compensation: $90,000+ | Full-time | In-person

About the Organization

Founded in 1947, the mission of the Concord Carlisle Foundation (formerly, the Concord Carlisle Community Chest) is to engage our community to help neighbors in need. Local businesses and individuals share their philanthropic gifts of time, expertise, and financial resources, which the Concord Carlisle Foundation (CCF) transforms into essential support for residents of Concord and Carlisle—both directly and through grants to local human services organizations.

Since 2018, CCF has invested more than $2.5 million back into the community, addressing a wide spectrum of critical needs including mental health, food insecurity, elder support, affordable housing, domestic violence, education, and more.

In 2024, CCF completed a strategic planning process, identifying three core priorities to guide the next five years:

1. Increase annual fundraising to $1 million within three to five years;
2. Expand the Foundation’s capacity to respond to both acute and chronic needs in the community; and
3. Strengthen CCF’s role as a convenor of mission-aligned organizations.

CCF’s work is supported by a volunteer board and committee structure, alongside a small staff team led by the Executive Director.

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief fundraiser and strategic leader of CCF. The ED’s primary responsibility is to lead all fundraising efforts—particularly individual donor cultivation, stewardship, and major giving strategies—while serving as the public face of CCF in the Concord and Carlisle communities.

Working in close partnership with the Board of Directors and volunteer committees, the ED drives the organization's mission, raises critical funding, and manages operations. They will hire and supervise a new Program Officer and oversee a small team to support programmatic and community-based work.

This is a highly relational, community-focused role. The ED will engage regularly with individual donors, philanthropic partners, local nonprofits, civic leaders, volunteers, and board members, and will play a visible role in the community.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the implementation of the strategic plan and align programs, grants, and outreach efforts to support that vision.
• Serve as a connector and communicator across board committees to align work streams and clarify priorities.
• Share regular updates with stakeholders on organizational progress and impact.

2. Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Core focus: set and lead fundraising strategies, with a focus on cultivating and stewarding individual donors.
• Partner with the Development Committee to plan and execute the Annual Appeal, and other donor campaigns and events.
• Maintain and use the donor database (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) for reporting and outreach.
• Collaborate with Events and Marketing Committees on event sponsorship, donor communications, and campaign strategies.
• Attend and support donor events, as well as lead follow-up efforts to engage prospective and existing donors.

Note: This role functions as a development lead and relationship builder for CCF. Fundraising is expected to be the ED’s primary area of focus, especially as the Foundation aims to grow annual revenue to $1 million over the next 3-5 years.

3. Grantmaking & Community Partnerships

• Build strong relationships with current and prospective grantees.
• Promote CCF’s grant opportunities and oversee external communications during the grant cycle.
• Participate in key meetings and provide insight to the Grant Allocations and Cornerstone Initiative Committees.

Note: The Program Officer will provide support with grant application logistics, technical reviews, Foundant system setup, meeting prep, and correspondence with applicants.

4. Events & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with the Events Committee to support event planning, sponsorships, and program content.
• Ensure marketing materials and event logistics are aligned with organizational messaging and fundraising goals.
• Serve as a public representative at major events and support volunteer teams.
• Help manage access to event data and contribute to post-event debriefs.

Note: Volunteers handle much of the event logistics; the ED provides strategic guidance, development coordination, and organizational visibility.

5. Marketing & Communications

• Ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all platforms and materials.
• Work with the Marketing Committee to plan outreach campaigns and strengthen community engagement.
• Help identify and prioritize key audiences for engagement.

6. Operations & Organizational Management

• Hire, supervise, and manage staff, including the Program Officer and administrative support.
• Oversee the annual budget, financial reporting, and audit preparation.
• Manage internal operations including timesheets, PTO, and cash flow planning.
• Ensure timely donor acknowledgment, fund transfers, and compliance with financial protocols.

Note: The ED may explore opportunities for operational efficiencies such as system integrations, payment platforms, and vendor reviews.

Qualifications and Skills

We’re seeking candidates who bring a blend of community leadership, nonprofit management, and fundraising experience. Ideal candidates will have:

• A proven track record in fundraising, particularly with individual donors.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Comfort with nonprofit financial oversight, budgeting, and database management.
• An ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple workstreams across a small team.
• Strategic thinking and a passion for community-driven impact.
• Familiarity with the Concord/Carlisle community or a willingness to become embedded in it.
• A collaborative leadership style with experience working with volunteer-led boards or committees.

Position Details

• Commitment: Full-time (5 hours/week)
• Schedule: Occasional evening and weekend availability required for community events and donor engagement.
• Location: In-person role based in Concord, MA. While some remote work is possible, the position requires a regular, visible presence in the community.
• Compensation & Benefits: The range for this position is $90,000–$110,000 and is commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for a benefits package that includes 12 Federal Holidays, three weeks of PTO, and one week of sick leave.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: hiring@concordcarlislefoundation.org

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

We understand that not every candidate will meet every listed qualification. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply and will evaluate each candidate’s unique strengths and potential. We are committed to building a welcoming and inclusive team.