Chief Executive Officer

The Opportunity

Teach Democracy, formerly the Constitutional Rights Foundation, is a long-standing 60 year nonpartisan, nonprofit dedicated to civic education. It seeks a dynamic and visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead its mission of empowering youth and enhancing democratic understanding. Teach Democracy’s goal is to promote excitement and involvement in politics and civic activities among students across the U.S., encouraging them to take initiative.

While teaching civics can be challenging today, it is more crucial than ever. Understanding the Constitution and one's role in democracy is essential for all Americans. Teach Democracy addresses the decreasing resources dedicated to civic education in public schools by providing supplementary support to educators and emphasizing the importance of civic education in light of the current climate of political discourse. The organization's curricula emphasize critical thinking skills to empower students in making informed decisions. They are encouraged to shape their opinions grounded in facts, fostering balanced discussions and comprehension of differing viewpoints.

With a dedicated Board, a diverse and talented staff of 16, and an annual budget of $3 million, the CEO will build on Teach Democracy's rich history of successful leadership in civic education, sustaining it as a vital resource for K-12 educators and students nationwide. Inspired by Teach Democracy's mission, the new CEO will lead the organization into its next chapter by elevating it to new heights, fostering strategic partnerships across sectors, and enhancing funding opportunities.

This leadership role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the legacy of a respected nonprofit organization while guiding it as a leading force in national civic education. This will result in influencing communities across the country with profound significance.

Join Teach Democracy in shaping the future of civic education and contribute to nurturing informed, engaged, and responsible citizens for generations to come.

About Teach Democracy

Teach Democracy is passionate about civic education, engagement, and civil discourse. It provides educators with expert curricula and training to supplement the dwindling resources dedicated to civics in public education. Teach Democracy provides students with engaging academic programs to build their toolbox to embrace democracy and government, to listen to each other, to base argument on fact, to come together as communities, to respect each other’s rights and preserve the health of our democracy. In the current environment of politics, Teach Democracy’s mission has never been more important.

Our Mission

Teach Democracy inspires lifelong civic engagement through interactive programs and resources for K-12 students and teachers because our democracy depends on informed participation by all. The programs and content do this by leveraging the commitment of teachers and amplifying the voices of young people. These civic education resources are interactive and non-partisan. They reflect the importance of civil discourse, research-based, and aligned to standards.

Teach Democracy is dedicated to removing barriers, especially for underserved communities, to assure equity and justice in access to civic education. It is a non-profit, non-partisan, national, and community-serving organization. Its Board of Directors is comprised of professionals and leaders from the fields of law, business, government, education, entertainment, and the community. The staff includes educators, lawyers, community organizers, fundraisers, designers, writers, and editors. They provide technical assistance and training to teachers, coordinate civic participation projects in schools and communities, organize student conferences and competitions, and develop curriculum content in the following areas:

• History, Law, and Government standards-aligned programs and content focus on how groups and individuals interact with the issues, institutions, people, and processes that shape our laws and government.

• Civic Participation programs and curriculum bring to life the rights and responsibilities of active citizenship by challenging young people to explore their community and plan and implement projects that address community needs.

Our Vision
For a society in which all young people become lifelong, knowledgeable, and confident participants in our democracy.

To learn more about Teach Democracy, please visit https://teachdemocracy.org/

Candidate Profile

With an entrepreneurial mindset, the ideal candidate will expand the organization's national presence, positioning it at the forefront of civic education. Highly adept and comfortable in an ambassador role, the CEO will excel in relationship building, fundraising, and external relations. The CEO will work closely with the Board and staff to develop strategic fundraising plans, enhance outreach and marketing efforts, and uphold the organization's longstanding nonpartisan approach. Leveraging the existing expertise among the leadership team and staff, the CEO will foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, professional development, and inclusive decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have many of the following attributes: 

Passion for the Mission

With a fervent commitment to democracy and public education, the CEO will spearhead initiatives that empower students to grasp governmental structures and social justice issues. This leader will uphold Teach Democracy’s mission to fortify and enrich democracy, especially in an educational landscape where civic education is not given uniform importance in all states. The CEO will share Teach Democracy’s commitment to providing relevant, accessible, and impactful content that teachers can use with all students, regardless of background, to have high-quality civic learning opportunities.

Strategic and Visionary Leader

The CEO will embody strategic vision and proven leadership, guiding the organization to new horizons while honoring its established legacy. A proactive self-starter with a clear vision, they will elevate the organization nationally, leveraging connections within the Board, staff, and community to extend its reach while expanding its mission and impact. With a rich understanding of education, the CEO will foster coalitions with academic institutions, practitioners, and other constituents to advance the mission. This role requires a forward-thinking leader who can forge pathways, lead with humility, and prioritize the collective success of the organization.

Inclusive and Collaborative Leadership

Fostering the organization’s culture of equity, trust, and openness, the CEO will embody inclusive and collaborative leadership. The CEO will encourage healthy debate and cooperation, ensuring all voices are heard and respected in decision-making. By using internal talents and promoting professional growth, the CEO will support an environment where staff continue to feel valued and empowered to lead, propelling organizational progress. The CEO will work with staff and Board to steward operational alignment, organizational structure, budget and workflows to ensure effective programs and services delivery.

External Relations and Fundraising

Strengthening the brand and serving as a prominent face and voice of the organization, the CEO will elevate Teach Democracy's role as a trailblazer in the field of civic education nationally. The CEO will enjoy the external aspects of the role, with the ability to convey the importance of the work authentically, credibly, and enthusiastically to a wide range of audiences and communities, media, and other constituents. Actively pursuing partnerships with many constituents, including collaborators and funders, will be a priority. Spearheading the fundraising strategy in partnership with the Development team, the CEO will concentrate on cultivating, diversifying, and sustaining funding sources to drive the growth and sustainability of the organization’s programs and influence.

Excellent Relationship Builder, Communicator, and Manager

The CEO will lead with responsiveness, warmth, and supportiveness, prioritizing clear communication in both written and verbal forms. With a strong emotional intelligence, the CEO will uphold consistent and transparent communication with staff and the community at large. The CEO will champion a people-first approach, inspiring and mentoring others while fostering each employee's best efforts. The person will embody collaborative leadership, amplifying staff voices and valuing their wealth of knowledge and lived experiences.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $230,000 - $250,000 with a generous benefits package.

Contact

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by filling out our https://talent-profile.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/v2/20922, or email TeachDemocracy_CEO@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Teach Democracy is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants.

About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the http://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/our-brands/koya-partners/

To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/5291806