Executive Director

Own It is Hiring Our First Executive Director

Own It: Building Black Wealth is looking for its first Executive Director! Since 2021, Own It has worked to dismantle the barriers that keep Black and brown families out of homeownership in the Greater Madison area, providing an education program and access to $19,000 down payment grants. Own It has already proven its model: $1.4M+ raised, 350+ families through the education program, 30+ families into homeownership, and a growing Ambassador network of 80+ real estate professionals. In 2025, Own It became a fully independent 501(c)(3) and published its first Annual Report – a shift from founder-led startup into an organization built to scale.

That growth is exactly why we’re now searching for Own It’s first Executive Director: someone who can take this founder-built organization and give it the structure, stability, and stewardship to grow into its next chapter.

This is a new role for Own It – not just a seat to step into, but a leadership opportunity to continue. Sara Alvarado, Co-Founder and Interim Executive Director, has led Own It from idea to impact and will remain closely connected to the mission as we bring on our next leader. Our Board of Directors, including Co-Founder Tiffany Malone, is leading this search alongside 8th & Home, a firm that specializes in nonprofit leadership transitions.

Who You Are

• Mission-driven and deeply rooted in community, leading from within the community Own It serves, not at a distance.
• You do what you say, own your mistakes, and bring integrity to your relationships.
• You prioritize a strong, candid relationship with the board and keep them informed.
• You lead people with genuine care, while protecting and elevating Own It’s reputation.

Own It Executive Director Position Description

Core Responsibilities

Fundraising, Integrity & Accountability

• Lead Own It's overall fundraising strategy, including grant strategy, applications, reporting, and compliance.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, funders, and sponsors.
• Report fundraising progress to the board with transparency and follow-through.
• Partner with the Fundraising Committee to achieve fundraising goals.

Board Partnership & Governance

• Partner with the Board of Directors on strategic planning and organizational direction.
• Maintain clear boundaries between executive and board roles.
• Prepare board meeting agendas, reports, and materials in collaboration with board leadership.
• Ensure compliance with 501(c)(3) nonprofit regulations and reporting requirements.
• Oversee board committees, including Executive, Fundraising, and Donor Management.

Operations & Financial Management

• Oversee organizational systems, infrastructure, and processes that support day-to-day operations, including data management, technology platforms, and internal workflows.
• Manage the organization's budget in partnership with the Treasurer/Finance Committee, including monthly reconciliation, cash flow monitoring, and variance reporting.
• Select, negotiate, and oversee contracts with vendors and outside contractors, ensuring accountability to scope, budget, and timeline.
• Ensure sound financial controls, recordkeeping, and audit-readiness in accordance with nonprofit accounting standards.
• Maintain scalable operational systems that support organizational growth without adding unnecessary complexity.
• Manage risk—including insurance, contracts, and compliance—proactively rather than reactively.

Community Partnership & Rootedness

• Cultivate and expand relationships with education, housing, and community partners.
• Represent Own It in the community through meetings, events, and public speaking.
• Build and strengthen relationships with real estate professionals, financial institutions, and strategic partners.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Ambassador Program, including recruitment, engagement, and stewardship.

Strategic & Mission Leadership

• Lead strategic planning in partnership with the board.
• Ensure long-term sustainability, effectiveness, and impact through strategic leadership.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Education Program and Down Payment Grant Program.
• Establish long-term program goals and evaluate program effectiveness.

People-First Leadership & Reputation

• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for staff and contractors.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as Own It's primary spokesperson and main point of contact for press.
• Oversee communications strategy to ensure consistent messaging across audiences.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in a nonprofit, business, government, or community-based organization.
• Experience with fundraising, donor relationships, and revenue generation.
• Experience with nonprofit governance and working with or reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Commitment to racial equity and Own It's mission of increasing generational wealth through homeownership for Black and brown families.
• Strong financial acumen, experience with building and being accountable to annual budgets, as well as knowledge of grant management.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, including public speaking.

Preferred Qualifications

• Executive Director or senior nonprofit leadership experience.
• Familiarity with housing finance, homeownership programs, or community development.

Work Expectations

• Full-time, available for standard business hours, with flexibility to accommodate occasional evening and weekend meetings, events, and community engagements.
• Remote position, with occasional local travel required for meetings and events, as well as being present for in-person events and gatherings in community settings.
• Must be able to work independently while collaborating effectively with staff, contractors, the Board of Directors, and community partners.

Benefits include a health care stipend and a matching IRA retirement plan.