Executive Director

The Executive Director (“ED”) is responsible for advancing and sustaining the mission and work of Real Change. This is a full time, exempt position reporting to the Board of Directors. The ED will direct strategic planning, fundraising, program development and community engagement for the organization.

The ED is responsible for the organization’s revenue. This includes a budget of $1.4 million with contributions from sponsorships, grants, individual gifts, and newspaper circulation that sustain the organization’s core programs. This position includes annual bonus eligibility for securing new major gifts exceeding budgeted revenue.

Real Change is a unionized office that strives to be inclusive and accountable to the community we serve. The next ED will implement a sustainable fundraising strategy to support the fulfillment of our mission and lead with the goal of empowering our newspaper vendors, many of whom are people experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Compensation Range: $110,000-$120,000

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

Fundraising:

• Direct and sustain an ambitious and sustainable fundraising plan to ensure organizational priorities are met.
• Achieve annual revenue goals through individual, corporate, institutional, and foundation channels to sustain and grow the annual contributed income budget
• Support and supervise the Development and Communications staff in their creation and execution of the annual fundraising and development plan.
• Ensure effective use of CRM systems to achieve the overall objectives of the annual fundraising strategy.
• Provide ongoing stewardship and program progress to funders while developing updated information for prospective funders on programs of interest.
• Keep abreast of development issues by networking and staying current on trends in philanthropy.
• Coordinate planned giving efforts including bequests, trusts, and the development of gifts or securities, property, and other appreciated assets.
• Supervise the grants program, including the annual grants calendar, to ensure growth and quality of presentation and continuity of information.
• Drive increasing attendance for the annual fundraiser and increasing average gift size.
• Develop and implement short term and long-term cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Involve and train Board members, staff, and volunteers in the acquisition of major gift support.
• Implement acknowledgement and recognition systems for special donors.
• Develop and oversee special procedures to monitor and evaluate major gift progress.

Organizational Oversight:

• Supervise the Operations Director.
• Prioritize a vendor-centric model of operation that centers those most impacted by our work
• Foster a positive, effective, and safe work environment; execute Union negotiated contracts and maintain records and policies that support this goal
• Facilitate strong and open communication throughout leadership and staff
• Report to the Board of Directors, provide financial, programmatic, and operational reports and analysis: Attend all monthly board meetings, and at least one committee meeting per month
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements relevant to the organization's activities (including but not limited to nonprofit registration status, financial records, policy work compliance, and labor compliance)
• Develop and oversee organizational policies to maintain mission alignment and a commitment to social justice (including but not limited to staffing policies, policies regarding working with vulnerable populations)

Program Strategy:

• Oversee, evaluate, and develop Real Change programs and services; align all organizational programs and departments, ensure the best delivery of our mission, with input from vendors and staff
• Supervise newsroom staff and work collaboratively to strengthen and grow the reach of the independent newspaper; set strategic direction of coverage and reach
• Set advocacy priorities, and advance Real Change’s leadership of intersectional anti-poverty advocacy work
• Oversee the development and implementation of a strategic plan that reflects the organization’s priorities, guiding long-term progress and monitoring annually

Communications and External Representation:

• Represent Real Change externally and promote visibility of the organization through community partnerships as well as owned, earned, and paid media
• Develop and maintain relationships with diverse communities of all kinds, including communities based on shared geography, race or ethnicity, class, and other intersectional issues relevant to our work
• Enhance and grow the public profile of Real Change by representing the organization at external events, including community events, public speaking events, interviews, news conferences, networking hours, and other related engagements
• Direct organizational branding and maintain consistency through the design and development of our communications materials (e.g. brochures, annual reports, appeals, digital media, etc.) and the newspaper

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to applicants who submit by November 30, 2025.

Compensation: Salary range is $110,000-120,000/year; this position is salaried exempt. Benefit package includes Health and Dental coverage, 3 weeks’ vacation, 2 weeks’ sick time, 11 holidays, 403(b) Retirement Fund with a 4% Real Change contribution, and professional development funds.