RISE Executive Director

bit.ly/RISE-ED-2026

Role: Executive Director, RISE

Reports to: Board of Directors

Leads: All RISE staff. Direct manager of our four program leads

Works alongside: Staff, families, and community partners

Location: East Palo Alto, CA

About RISE

For more than a decade, RISE (Reaching and Inspiring Success through Education) has worked

alongside families and educators to provide children in East Palo Alto with a strong academic

foundation and the self-confidence necessary to excel in life.

Since 2014, we have built long-term relationships with families, many of whom stay connected with

RISE for years. What began as an afterschool program has grown into a continuum of care that

includes our Early RISErs program for families and children ages 0–3, elementary through high school

programming, and a birth-to-five community hub at the Little Blue House, where community partners

come to offer services and programs for families living in EPA.

Our work is rooted in a simple belief: When children and families are met with consistency, care, and

opportunity, they build the confidence and skills to shape their own paths.

We are a small organization by design - we prioritize deep relationships over scale. Today, RISE

operates with a budget of $700k+, a committed team of staff and mentors, and strong partnerships

across the East Palo Alto community. We believe real impact is built over time, through relationships

that last.

As we enter our second decade, we are ready to grow thoughtfully: strengthening programs,

deepening partnerships, and investing in our staff, systems, and leadership.

The Opportunity

RISE is seeking an Executive Director to help guide the organization into its next chapter. This is an

opportunity to lead an organization with deep roots, strong relationships, and a clear sense of

purpose—while shaping what comes next. You will work closely with the staff and Board (including our

co-founders) to build on what already exists, while bringing your own perspective, leadership, and

vision to the role.

What You’ll Do

Lead the Organization

• Steward RISE’s mission, values, and long-term direction
• Partner with the Board on strategic planning and organizational growth
• Ensure decisions reflect the needs, strengths, and voices of families and community

Support People & Culture

• Lead, support, and develop a small, committed team, including direct management of our four

program leads

• Foster a culture of trust, accountability, and shared ownership
• Create space for staff to grow, contribute ideas, and lead within their roles
• Build and strengthen internal systems and processes to match the needs of our evolving

organization

Sustain & Grow Resources

• Lead fundraising efforts across grants, events, and individual giving, securing the resources to

sustain our organization

• Build and maintain relationships with funders and partners
• Develop and manage RISE’s budget and spending

Strengthen Programs & Partnerships

• Ensure programs make meaningful impact for our students and families, and remain

responsive, relationship-based, and aligned with community needs

• Help deepen RISE’s role as a connector within the broader ecosystem of support for families,

and sustain continued collaboration with schools and partner organizations

About You

Our ideal candidate would have many of the following skills and characteristics:

• Experience leading people, programs, or organizations with clarity and care
• Experience in education, youth development, family engagement, or related fields
• Fundraising experience (events, grants, and/or major gifts)
• A connection to East Palo Alto or communities like it, whether through lived experience,

relationships, and/or work

• Comfort working in bilingual and multicultural environments (Spanish/English strongly valued)
• A commitment to equity, belonging, and practices that honor the experiences of the

communities you work alongside

You don’t need to meet every one of these. If this role speaks to you, we encourage you to apply.

What Will Help You Thrive in This Role

• You can hold both people and operations with care and clarity
• You’re comfortable making decisions, even when not everything is certain
• You can manage budgets, timelines, and responsibilities without losing sight of relationships
• You’re able to grow resources and talk about the work in ways that bring others in
• You understand that leadership here means being present, consistent, and accountable

Who This Role Might Be Right For

• A Program Director ready to step into broader organizational leadership
• A development or fundraising leader wanting to be closer to community and programs
• A current Executive Director seeking a role grounded in relationships and long-term impact

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $105,000 – $130,000. Benefits include a healthcare stipend, paid office closure between

Christmas and New Year’s, additional holidays, and 10 days of paid time off.

Our Commitment

RISE is committed to building a team that reflects the community we work alongside.

We value diverse experiences, perspectives, and ways of leading, and we are looking for a leader who

is equally committed to equity, community, and building strong relationships.

To Apply

Please send a resume and short cover letter or email sharing your interest to info@rise-nonprofit.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority for those received by May 10th.

We offer a healthcare stipend, paid office closure between Christmas and New Year’s, additional holidays, and 10 days of paid time off.

Proficiency in both written and verbal English is required for this role, while Spanish proficiency is highly valued and seen as a tremendous asset for the organization and community.