The Organization
The Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Mikva Challenge in the search for a Chief Advancement Officer.
One of the premiere national organizations developing youth to be informed, empowered, and active citizens and community leaders who will promote a just and equitable society, Mikva Challenge was founded in 1998 as a tribute to former White House Counsel, Judge, and U.S. Congressman, Abner Mikva and his wife, Zoe, a former public-school teacher, and lifelong education activist. Mikva is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization guided by the principles central to its founders: the best way to learn democracy is to do democracy. For Mikva Challenge, Democracy is a Verb. To that end, Mikva creates bridges between youth and adults to allow them to form interpersonal connections, and provides authentic and transformative democratic experiences.
Mikva Challenge is the founder of Action Civics, and is the premier organization developing civic leadership and identity for over 20,000 youth across the country. Mikva has expanded its reach to impact over 17 states, 3200 teachers, and more than 135,000 high school students, annually. By opening up spaces for democratic education and youth participation in schools and government, Mikva strives to prioritize the needs of low-income youth and under-resourced communities and schools. 88 percent of the youth Mikva serves come from low-income households, and 90 percent are youth of color. The percentage of students enrolled in Mikva programs who are more likely to be successful beyond high school has increased by over 85 percent. Mikva is poised for growth to build a national Action Civics movement!
Position Overview
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Advancement Officer will partner with Mikva Challenge leadership to propel the organization to the next level. Mikva Challenge is on the cusp of significant growth and is seeking a Chief Advancement Officer that will craft a development strategy aligned with the organization’s national growth. The Chief Advancement Officer will use a creative approach to convert strategy into effective execution, translating Mikva’s initiatives and goals into clear objectives for board and staff. The Chief Advancement Officer will build, develop, and nurture a high-functioning development team, utilizing a motivating approach to further collaboration, achieve consensus, and generate support from stakeholders. Collaborating closely with the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Advancement Officer will implement a comprehensive and multi-faceted donor communication and stewardship strategy that ensures donor satisfaction.
Mikva Challenge seek a Chief Advancement Officer with a commitment to the mission of Mikva Challenge — to develop youth to be empowered, informed, and active citizens who will promote a just and equitable society. A bachelor’s degree is required for this position as is at least ten years of experience in development/fundraising. Mikva seeks an individual with knowledge of the latest innovations in philanthropy and the ability to identify new sources of support. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Mikva Challenge as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the prospectus.
Since its founding, Mikva Challenge’s mission and work has centered around supporting and promoting the voices, concerns, and solutions of youth of color, and is dedicated to reflecting on, and revisiting, its values and practices to deepen its commitment to racial equity and justice. Mikva’s Racial Equity and Justice statement reflects this work: Mikva Challenge envisions a world where each person can thrive with dignity. To get there, we will name and examine power; uncover and interrogate how systems of oppression operate; center persons and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities most impacted; and uplift equitable policies across institutions.
How To Apply
To apply for this position, visit: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/1065