The Organization
The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) seeks to ensure that its community thrives, by building its Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.
CFHZ serves as a charitable vehicle that creates lasting, positive change in the Holland/Zeeland area. It currently stewards $120M in philanthropic assets representing 685 individual funds established over the last 70 years by a diverse group of individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations. Each of these funds fit into two broad categories – 165 Community Endowment Funds totaling $30M in assets and 520 Donor Service funds totaling $90M in assets. Annually, the Foundation awards more than $10M in grants and receives more than $12M in incoming gifts, with 90% of incoming gifts and outgoing grants coming from Donor Service Funds, and 10% coming from Community’s Endowment funds.
CFHZ also serves as a leader, convener, and collaborator with businesses, government, and nonprofits in the region on some of the most critical issues affecting the community. In the past, CFHZ has been a critical partner in advancing housing affordability in the region, launching an early childhood initiative, and playing a key role in many COVID response efforts.
Position Overview
The Foundation seeks a President/CEO who demonstrates a strong ability to raise community awareness of and to clearly articulate the innovative vision and direction of the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland. Words that describe the next leader are ethical, passionate, visionary, relationship builder, empathetic, diplomatic yet authentic.
The person is a self-starter who pursues, cultivates, and enjoys building and maintaining strong and authentic donor and stakeholder relationships. This person must be able to engender trust and empathy and relate to donors in a highly professional, honest, and caring manner. Grantmaking experience is a plus, but at a minimum, the President/CEO must be analytical and able to see the pros and cons of various programs seeking to improve the community.
The ability to communicate exceptionally well in oral and written form is necessary for success in this position. As the key spokesperson for CFHZ, this person must be able to speak extemporaneously and appropriately on any number of subjects in a clear and transparent fashion to build trust and support.
The President/CEO must be a strategic and visionary leader who embraces progress and is open to examining different views and ways of working together. This individual must understand the potential of the Foundation to leverage its financial, social, and reputational capital towards building a thriving community for the present and future. The next leader will be committed to engaging a variety of opinions and perspectives on community issues.
The qualified candidate must demonstrate success in reaching out to the community, building authentic relationships with people of diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, and listening to and building rapport with those who have varying viewpoints and perceptions. Experience convening people sharing disparate interests and concerns – so that the aspirations and goals of CFHZ are pursued in a collegial, transparent, and highly participatory manner – is essential.
High integrity and sound judgment are essential to success in this role. Strong financial acumen is a highly desired skill with the knowledge of complex charitable giving instruments, charitable tax law, and institutional investment strategy being a plus. A strong affinity for the community is important and existing relationships and connections to the region are beneficial.
Career experience in a top leadership position in a community foundation is highly desirable. However, an understanding of the community foundation’s organizational and financial model is expected. Leading and empowering a highly competent staff and a dedicated, committed Board are needed skills as well. Energy, natural optimism, the ability to be a good listener and a quick learner are important personal attributes. A sense of humor and humility are also valued.
The ideal candidate will show a high level of participation in the life of the community by virtue of civic involvement, public service, volunteerism, or social activities. A Bachelor’s degree is required. Advanced and continuing education/certification is a plus.
All are welcomed and encouraged to apply. The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area will provide equal employment opportunity and not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, religion, height, weight, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.
The salary range for this position is between $160,000 and $180,000 and will be commensurate with experience. CFHZ also offers a comprehensive benefits package. The successful candidate is required to relocate to or reside in the Holland/Zeeland area.
How To Apply
To apply, submit a current resume and a cover letter to Kittleman & Associates, LLC at https://bit.ly/3FIuGB0 (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page).
For more information about the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, visit www.cfhz.org.