InvestED Executive Director Seattle, Washington

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1 InvestED helps Washington state secondary school students in need by granting them opportunities to achieve. We provide basic supplies, access to school programs and other assistance to help level the playing field, giving these students the chance to reach their true potential. InvestED Executive Director Seattle, Washington InvestED is seeking an accomplished, action oriented leader to serve as its next Executive Director. The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to increase InvestED s impact through our partnership with more than 650 schools statewide. Among our top priorities are increasing the awareness of our organization and our support for students through increased fundraising of InvestED and of our partner schools. Organization Overview Each year InvestED assists more than 16,000 students with small amounts of short-term, item-specific, need-based funding items such as shoes, coats, glasses, sports equipment, and academic fees. Teachers, counselors, and others who have direct contact with students use their professional discretion to identify students in need. To accomplish this, we provide program infrastructure and distribute program funding to more than 650 public and private secondary schools. Each school assembles a team of school fund coordinators comprised of the principal and at least two others (typically counselors or administrators). School fund coordinators purchase goods and services on the student s behalf and report data about the student and the support provided to that student. InvestED is led by an 17-member Board of Directors with representation statewide. We operate with five committed staff members, two full time and three part-time including a Development Director, Development Database Manager, Accountant, Marketing/Board Liaison. The organization enjoys the support of more than 70 volunteers who provide assistance with marketing, school support, administrative activities, information technology and event support. InvestED currently has an annual operating budget of $881,000. Funding sources include individuals, corporations, foundations, and service organizations. We operate from an office in South Lake Union. Organizational Strengths and Recent Accomplishments InvestED has an excellent track record of accomplishments supporting students in need. We are most proud of the 50-year partnership we ve developed with our partner schools. This long-term partnership and the supporting infrastructure are tremendous assets to the organization as we seek to help students in need statewide. In addition, our most recent accomplishments include: l l We are wrapping up our first million dollar fundraising campaign, anchored by a $500,000 gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This campaign has increased our fundraising capability, providing major fundraising campaign training, collateral, tools and recognition among the philanthropic community. A recent grant from the M J Murdock Charitable Trust provided the final funding for an important technology upgrade that will enable InvestED and partner schools to improve our service to students in need. 1 of 5

2 2013 Through 660 schools on 21,435 occasions 16,525 students received $602,278 of support Challenges and Opportunities for the Future InvestED is well-positioned to meet its challenges and take advantage of its opportunities in the future. The following have been identified by the InvestED Board as the most pressing priorities for the organization: Near-Term: Selection and transition to our new Executive Director. Ensuring that the new ED quickly becomes acquainted with our processes, partnerships with schools, staff and volunteers New Executive Director to quickly establish credibility with key school contacts, current supporters and community leaders Leverage the technology enhancement project (extranet) and ensure that it delivers intended results for school coordinators, staff and funders 50th Anniversary is utilized as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the rich history of our organization Mid- to Long-Term: Ensure that the organization achieves long-term sustainability through increased fundraising and management of expenses Completion of InvestED s transition from a foundation to a public charity that is effective at significantly increasing fundraising from all of its donor groups. InvestED estimates that its current level of funding is only serving a fraction of the statewide need. The Board would like to increase that number significantly and is looking for an ED that can lead these efforts Transition from internal to external investment management Successful achievement of our strategic plan History of the Organization InvestED was founded by Saul Haas, owner and founder of KIRO radio and television in Seattle. Saul discovered that critical needs of poorer students were not being met which jeopardized their ability to remain in school and fully participate. He formed the Saul and Dayee Haas Foundation in 1963 to address these needs in local high schools. In the years since, the organization has grown to include schools statewide serving students in grades In 2008, our Board of Directors recognized the need to assist significantly more students. It committed the organization to expand the capacities and resources of secondary schools statewide. Because our resources were inadequate to meet our more ambitious mission, we took action to become a public charity. This provided us with the institutional base to raise money. In 2010, the Board changed our name from the Haas Foundation to InvestED to reflect these changes. 2 of 5

3 The Position The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors of InvestED and has general responsibility for leading and managing the operations of InvestED. Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Director Leadership Represent the organization, expanding awareness of its compelling mission and the statewide assistance it provides to students Provide leadership necessary to achieve the Board of Director s fiscal and strategic goals Encourage Board members, volunteers and school contacts to do their best work, create and pursue strategic opportunities for InvestED, and serve as the face of the organization to its many stakeholders Fund Raising Advises and implements decisions of the Board of Directors Works with the Accountant and Board Treasurer to develop an annual budget for approval by the Board of Directors Manages the day-to-day operations of the organization (i.e., manage staff, recruit volunteers and manage volunteer program, manage expenses, develop, facilitate and schedule committee meetings, administer the program, prepare reports, etc.) Leads staff and volunteers in implementing our plans to reach the goals of InvestED In partnership with the Board Liaison, plan Board, committee meetings and Board retreats Monitors progress on InvestED goals and objectives Communicates information to schools and districts to increase the awareness and capacity of schools to support students in need Represents the interests of the organization to local, regional and state organizations Collaborate with the organization s Development Committee and Development Director to set annual financial goals and to achieve the strategic plan Conduct the organization s annual campaign with the Development Director Increase the current number of annual donors and the amount donated year over year significantly Cultivate and obtain large donations that will have the effect of increasing the corpus Expand marketing and development efforts to reach new audiences and expand the number of donors statewide Board & Committee Support Attend all Board meetings and most Committee meetings. Ensure participants are prepared, materials developed and meetings are productive Support Nominations/Governance committee to recruit, evaluate and recommend candidates for membership to the Board of Directors. Work in conformity with InvestED s governance policies Work collaboratively with the Board Treasurer and Accountant in the process of budgeting and preparing Board meeting budget reports Support activities of Finance/Investment Committee to provide leadership in the area of our financial and investments Support and advise the Program Committee and IDEA members in the oversight and enhancement of our program in the schools. In partnership with these committees, encourage champions in our schools who will expand and improve our support of students in need Support the Marketing and Development Committees in their efforts to increase awareness and donations to InvestED 3 of 5

4 Staff & Volunteer Leadership Organize and coordinate the work of staff and volunteers Evaluate staff performance and ensure annual evaluations occur for all staff members Work collaboratively with the Board in the posting and hiring of staff members as necessary Program Operations Lead implementation of program policies Assign program funding levels to partner schools Communicate to schools through regular newsletters to school partners and informal communication as necessary Supervise communication to schools through the Front Desk volunteers. Recruit new volunteers to this critical position and ensure training occurs as needed. Ensure case management is handled appropriately and in a timely manner Update the year end reporting processes as needed. Proactively communicate to schools to ensure annual stats accurately reflect our work Determine training needs and work with volunteers to implement appropriately. This will especially important with our new technology enhancement project Organization Maintain all pertinent records of InvestED s business Determine and communicate in writing the job descriptions and performance evaluations of staff Implement sound financial controls and fiscal oversight Supervise IT and Web contractors and volunteers to ensure reliability and security of the organization s web-based infrastructure. Must be willing and able to learn new technology quickly Compensation & Benefits The salary range is commensurate with qualifications and experience including retirement and health care stipend. 4 of 5

5 Candidate Requirements A Bachelor s degree in related field or equivalent experience is preferred; a Master s or other professional degree is a plus. The position requires demonstrated skill, experience and success in/with the following areas: Building and sustaining positive relationships and collaborations with key individuals, constituencies and partner organizations Excellent communicator, able to listen, engages and connects with his/her audience Organizing talent, based on customer needs Willing to travel throughout the state for fundraising, stewardship and donor cultivation Demonstrated fundraising results including acquisition of new donors, stewardship and cultivation of major donors and successful asks from individuals, corporate, foundation and government sources. Fundraising for educational programs a plus Understanding of school funding, school district operations, and state and national education reform initiatives, but also speaks the corporate language a plus Project/program development, implementation, and management of educational programs a plus An understanding of the Washington State political and educational landscape and culture a plus Executive Director of an education-related nonprofit organization a plus Application Timing Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume by 8:00 a.m. PDT, June 10, All submissions must be via with documents in MS Word or PDF format. All applications will be held in strict confidence and will be acknowledged. It is anticipated that final interviews for the position will be conducted in June, with the hiring decision being made in early July. Submit resume via to: hr@invested.org 5 of 5