Executive Director, Valiente Fund

Way to Win is a home base for progressive donors and organizers seeking a strategic approach to funding that advances transformative policy and builds lasting power in the states. We work in partnership with those most impacted by injustice to build long-term power to improve lives, and to achieve a representative democracy that works for all. To accomplish our mission and vision, Way to Win leadership has created different affiliate vehicles, including our 501(c)(3) effort— Way to Rise. This position will be housed at Way to Win, but will primarily interface with Way to Rise and its foundation partners.

Way to Win and Way to Rise are looking for an accomplished, mission-focused leader with experience leading a breadth of program strategies within an organization to direct the Valiente Fund, a 501(c)(3) Latinx powerbuilding funding program managed by Way to Win. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with c​​onsultants, an advisory committee, community partners, and the Way to Win team. 

Valiente Fund, a project of Way to Win and Way to Rise, aims to scale resources to the needs of a growing Latino majority. Latinos represent the largest growing demographic in our country, with nearly 60 million people who identify as Latino or have Hispanic roots accounting for approximately 18% of the total U.S. population. At 32 million eligible voters, Latinx people were the largest block of voters of color in 2020. With these numbers, comes great diversity! Latinos work in every sector of the economy; are racially diverse including Black and indigenous; are nonbinary and Queer; are new immigrants, dreamers and many U.S. generations deep. We believe it is our diversity that gives us strength and power as a representation of the diverse American experience! And yet, Latinx stories and voices continue to be erased in all spheres of influence. As such there is a clear and urgent need for funding infrastructure that organizes Latinx communities at scale and builds lasting economic, political, and cultural power. Studies have shown that less than 2% of U.S. philanthropic dollars are directly invested in Latinx organizations, and this lack of investment raises the risk of Latinx communities being vulnerable to the increased engagement by actors intent on using racial division and confusion to erode multiracial solidarity and Latinx progress.

The Executive Director provides leadership and oversight on programmatic strategies, budgeting, fundraising and development, donor and grantee/community engagement, and marketing. This role will be primarily responsible for being a spokesperson and the face of the project, developing and implementing a fundraising plan to sustain the project, overseeing program development and implementation, and building strategic partnerships.

An excellent candidate for the position will come in with a bold vision for the program and for the Latinx community and take this role and program into its next phase of work. It is an excellent opportunity to grow and scale impact, especially the program’s presence in the key states identified.

Vision, Mission and Strategic Direction: 

The Executive Director will provide the creative, strategic vision, inspiration and direction needed to ensure the Fund’s success and mission alignment. In collaboration with the Advisory Committee and staff. The work of Valiente is bold and broad and will require building a team, based on the available budget and the Executive Director’s prerogative of must have capacities to reach Valiente’s goals, the Executive Director will be encouraged to hire additional staff to support programmatic, administrative, and/or fundraising needs based on their priorities. Please note, the Executive Director will benefit from support from Way to Win’s operations, communications, and political team infrastructure in addition to building their own team. This position will ensure that the fund’s values, mission, and purpose are aligned and fully embodied in all aspects of the fund’s work, and effectively communicate a compelling shared vision for the fund’s governance, staff and important stakeholders.  

Programmatic and Fund Oversight: 

Ensure the development of programming, grantmaking, and donor strategies and systems are effective, are aligned with the mission and values of the fund and are implemented with excellence and in alignment with core values. Specific programmatic and fund objectives values include building power within the Latinx community, building organizations through an incubator model, and ensuring other interests to benefit the welfare of the Latinx community are met. Make sure that standards and systems are in place to track the fund’s performance, effectiveness and impact, centered in the principles of equitable evaluation. Assess fund’s needs and work to support creative solutions to enhance structures, practices, systems, tools and staffing to ensure role clarity and alignment. 

Governance: 

Work with the Advisory Committee to create a system of governance and establish a system for decision-making and operations. Facilitate ongoing engagement and participation of the Advisory Board and membership. Support the Advisory Committee and members by providing information needed to carry out their oversight responsibilities. Incorporate a participatory governance structure that ensures engagement of experts and movement leaders to help inform the Fund’s strategic direction and its grantmaking strategy. 

Ensure open lines of communication, high levels of engagement and positive working relationships with theAdvisory Committee, grantees and advisors to advance the fund’s strategic priorities. Serve as the liaison between the Advisory Committee and staff and fiscal sponsor. Engage in contemplative and rigorous discourse with the Board around emerging trends and exploration of investments in existing and new initiatives cultivating an open, thoughtful, and collaborative partnership. 

Resource Mobilization:

In concert with the Advisory Committee, lead all fundraising efforts, working to diversify future funding streams and ensure the long-term sustainability and financial viability of the fund and its ability to resource grantee partners. 

Strategic Communications, External Relations and Thought Leadership:

Work closely with staff and consultants to promote the work of the fund to known audiences as well as unusual stakeholders. Oversee the creation of a powerful communication strategy for the fund which builds upon and positively promotes grantees and helps to shift the narrative around Latinx power, dignity and future. Serve as the external spokesperson for the fund, including at sector and movement meetings, events, and conferences, and ensure a network of surrogates are engaged as spokespersons . Produce professional writing/publications to advance the fund’s priorities. Maintain strong working relationships and partnerships with donor colleagues, nonprofits and other potential partners, and actively participate in relevant local, regional and national networks. 

Fundraising, External Affairs & Communications: 

Expand revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations, including grant research, prospecting, proposal writing, and reporting. Co-develop, implement and evaluate an institutional and individual donor cultivation strategy with the Advisory Committee. Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities. Grow and refine all aspects of communications – from web and social media presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand and growing our audiences.

Requirements

• A commitment to approach program strategy from an organizing perspective. You deeply love the movement and community groups making change. You know how to leverage our products and events to deepen relationships, listen to member feedback, and encourage community engagement. You are equally comfortable in big money settings and grassroots meetings. You are charismatic, trustworthy, and a great communicator. You bring hearts and smarts.
• A strong track record in managing people. You can motivate a high-performing team to knock it out of the park according to the metrics that you helped to set. As a manager, you know how to delegate skillfully and give meaningful feedback. You have experience holding a team accountable and providing support and direction for growing edges. You are well organized with great time management skills. You have experience managing staff who work remotely. 
• A nuanced race, gender, class and oppression analysis. You recognize the ways that race and other identities intersect in our work and are driven to make changes in systems and practices to operationalize equity. Your leadership will help to create a culture that fosters a sense of joy, trust, and belonging, especially for staff with marginalized identities.
• Experience raising money for nonprofit, pooled funds or other donor table efforts. You’ve worked in organizations with c3, c4, and PAC vehicles. You understand policy, party messaging, and grassroots organizing. You’re not afraid to ask for a six figure gifts. You can make complex political concepts both accessible and inspiring to donors who aren’t political insiders. You know how to create systems and structures that foster alignment and collaboration around both big goals and essential details. 

Qualifications: 

While no one candidate will possess all of the qualifications listed below, this gives a sense of an ideal candidate for the role

• At least 10+ years of experience working in advocacy, organizing and social justice organizations with at least 5+ years in senior management and/or other leadership positions. 

• High-level strategic thought leadership that is informed by working directly within the philanthropic sector and in social justice movements -- especially around Latinx power building.   

• A nuanced understanding of philanthropy and how it leverages policy, education and communications for change, as developed through significant hands-on experience in the philanthropic, nonprofit, and/or social investment sectors, and particularly some combination of the following: grassroots organizing, policy/advocacy, civic engagement, narrative/culture change, leadership development, and peer learning/convening. 

• Commitment to co-creation, learning and growth. 

• Proven success in network- or coalition-building and identifying, communicating and acting upon synergies among various stakeholders. 

• Commitment to building trust-based relationships and constituencies among organizational stakeholders, donors, and investors and activists. Track record of navigating philanthropic power dynamics in a values-based way to create trust and impact. 

• Experience in leading a staff team and/or consultants in team building and successfully creating positive organizational culture.

• Proven track record in high-level resource mobilization and donor engagement as well as supporting community-based organizations to build their fundraising capacity. 

• Agility and ability to quickly course correct in changing or complicated political environments and communities, both internally and externally. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Willingness to travel 

• An advanced degree and/or professional/lived experience 

Salary Range $140,000 - $185,000 plus a generous benefits package including:

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental, Vision)

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Training & Development

Work From Home with Flexible Hours

Mobile Phone Stipend

Way to Win is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, citizenship status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression of an otherwise qualified individual, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law.