Founded in 1986, Between Friends (BF) is a nonprofit agency dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and building a community free of abuse. Through their 24-hour crisis phone line, counseling, and legal assistance, they provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals and families in crisis, while educating communities as part of the movement to end domestic violence.
Between Friends is a Chicago-based organization that raises a $1.5M budget and is looking to grow to a $1.9M budget. Between Friends is dedicated to providing the highest quality trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic violence and their families, while recognizing and responding to vicarious trauma that can occur within staff providing such services. Between Friends is embarking on a multi-year curriculum evaluation project in an effort to mark the teen dating violence prevention program as one that is evidence-based and used nationwide.
Between Friends recognizes that sexism is a root cause of domestic violence, and as such, women are disproportionately the targets of this form of oppression. They also acknowledge that domestic violence is intrinsically linked to all systemic forms of violence, including heterosexism, cissexism, classism, racism, ageism, ableism, and sizeism. Domestic violence affects everyone and their programs support all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, national origin, language capacity, or ability.
In the past fiscal year, they have: helped 2,250 callers to their crisis line; supported 735 survivors through court advocacy assistance; provided counseling to 200 adults and 75 children; assisted 70 clients through the economic empowerment program; decreased isolation at safe, fun social events for 210 survivors via their A Night Out program; taught 3,300 students and 350 adults about healthy relationships and teen dating violence through the largest, most comprehensive teen dating violence prevention program in Illinois, R.E.A.C.H.; educated more than 2,300 professionals and community members to better understand and respond to domestic violence; and engaged music fans about consent at 14 venues and 10 festivals through OurMusicMyBody, a collaboration with Resilience.
Position Overview
The Executive Director of Between Friends will lead and oversee all affairs related to the organization, and is responsible for directing and overseeing the operations of the agency, including fundraising, fiscal management, program management, public relations, and implementing the Boards’ directives. The successful candidate must be a skilled leader, and comfortable working in a highly collaborative environment where self-care is emphasized. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and enables the Board to meet its governance, financial, and legal responsibilities. The Executive Director must be deeply committed to the goals of the organization and willing to act as an advocate around a broad range of domestic violence issues.
How To Apply
Between Friends has retained Morten Group, LLC to conduct this search.
Applicants should email a cover letter and resume in PDF format to executivesearch@mortengroup.com with the subject line “BF – Executive Director Search.” Cover letters will be evaluated as a writing sample and should include the applicant’s salary requirements. Application materials must be directed to the email address above. No phone calls, please. Note that due to the number of applications we receive, we will only respond to those applicants whom we would like to invite to interview for the position.
Between Friends is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity and/or expression, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non- merit factors. For best consideration, applicants should apply by Friday, June 21, 2019. Applicants from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized communities, including people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.