President & Chief Executive Officer, Akron Community Foundation

About the Akron Community Foundation :

The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.

Established in 1955 by a $1 million bequest from the estate of local industrialist Edwin Shaw, the Akron Community Foundation today is a $311MM philanthropic endowment with a growing family of almost 900 charitable funds. The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Greater Akron by building permanent endowments and providing philanthropic leadership that enables donors to make lasting investments in the community. Its vision is to embrace and enhance the work of charitable people who make a permanent commitment to the good of the Greater Akron community. The Foundation has become the community’s champion and generator of enduring philanthropy and has proudly built a welcoming culture that engages donors, families, professional advisors, and nonprofit leaders in strengthening the community both today and into the future. The Foundation will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2025.

About the Summit Health and Safety Innovation Fund :

In December 2024, Summit County established the Summit Health and Safety Innovation Fund, a separate, tax-exempt charitable organization of the Foundation, known as a Supporting Organization. This Fund will benefit the long-term health and safety of Summit County residents and is scheduled to receive an initial contribution of $45MM from Summit County’s opioid litigation settlement funds in early 2025. This Fund is to be governed by a separate volunteer board under the umbrella of the Foundation.

Position Overview :

The President & Chief Executive Officer reports to the Board of Directors and directly supervises : Vice President-Community Investment, Vice President-Marketing & Communication, Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Assistant; total staff of 22. Other important relationships include donors and their representatives, investment advisers, public and private sector community leaders, members of the media, and outside advisors.

Key Responsibilities :

• Provide professional leadership and assistance to the Board of Directors in all matters related to the accomplishment of the Foundation's goals.
• Implement Board policies.
• Direct and oversee the overall strategic direction, grantmaking, development, communications, and administrative activities of the Foundation.
• Manage a $3.7MM operating budget.

Candidate Qualifications :

Candidates may come from a variety of professional backgrounds : a top executive of a comparable community foundation; a top executive of a complex nonprofit organization with a mission of service to the community; a “#2” or other senior leader at a similar organization who is professionally prepared to step up to the CEO-level position; or an experienced for-profit leader with a background of service to nonprofits and an interest in this kind of career path. Successful candidates will have a history of achieving organizational growth as a direct result of their leadership. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. Status as a Certified Fund Raising Executive is desirable.

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