Native Americans in Philanthropy is dedicated to increasing and nurturing Indigenous representation in the philanthropic sector. With that in mind, the opportunities on our Job Board fit one of the following criteria:
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After an exceptionally long, creative, and joyful partnership with transformative leaders, The Durfee Foundation has embarked upon planned leadership transitions and seeks a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO will lead a family- and community-oriented organization that is primed to thrive in its next evolution. Reporting to the Board of Directors - composed of multigenerational family members and community members outside of the family - the CEO will manage the foundation’s small, dedicated team. The CEO will bring personal commitment to and passion for gaining and sharing knowledge, engaging deeply with community stakeholders, and supporting nonprofit leadership across Los Angeles County.
THE FOUNDATION
The Durfee Foundation is a private family foundation that supports individuals and organizations in Los Angeles County, with a special emphasis on community development and nonprofit leadership. The Durfee Foundation is named in honor of Dorothy Durfee Avery who, with her husband, R. Stanton (Stan) Avery, established it in 1960. Since that time, the foundation has awarded more than $35 million in grants, primarily in the Los Angeles region.
Governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven Family Trustees and three Community Trustees, The Durfee Foundation invests in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, where the foundation’s history lies and where funding needs are great. With assets of approximately $60 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $2.9 million, Durfee is led by a dynamic staff of four and supported by a strong team of core consultants.
Durfee embodies an authentic approach building trust-based relationships with individuals and organizations that share ideals of creativity, risk-taking, equity, integrity, fiscal care, and continuous learning. Durfee nurtures deep connections by building networks beyond traditional boundaries and identifying where the greatest difference can be made. Partnership in building networks that may leverage new opportunities is critical to Durfee’s culture.
Durfee is a patient grantmaker, recognizing that results often unfold over time. Inspired by its founders, whose legacy of openness and curiosity guides the foundation forward, Durfee continually seeks new ways to meet the needs of the Los Angeles community.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will have overall strategic operational responsibility for Durfee’s staff, programs, and execution of its mission.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Management:
Communications & Field Advocacy:
Planning & New Programs:
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal CEO candidate:
Desired Qualifications and other relevant professional and/or lived experiences:
LOCATION
This is a full-time position based in downtown Los Angeles requiring deep engagement with local stakeholders. The ideal CEO will currently live in the Los Angeles area with local knowledge and roots. Candidates currently in other markets but with experience and connections in LA may apply but must be willing to relocate. Durfee trusts its team to do their jobs well from wherever they may be and wants to ensure they have the tools and support needed to do so. While great work can be done remotely, Durfee also deeply values the time that the team has in-office together and the CEO makes determinations about remote work schedules with the team currently in-office typically four days a week.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The anticipated annual compensation range is $260,000 to $330,000. All candidates with the experience and skills to fulfill the role – regardless of compensation history or background – are encouraged to apply. The target starting salary for the CEO will be close to the midpoint of the range at or near $295,000, commensurate with experience. The comprehensive benefits package includes generous health and dental insurance coverage;long-term disability and life insurance;a retirement plan;vacation;sabbatical policy;sick, parental, medical/disability, and other leaves;transportation benefits and more.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Durfee is well-positioned to conduct a thoughtful, impartial, and effective search. Durfee brought together a diverse set of family board members of different generations and community members who all love and know Durfee well to form a Transition Committee to make essential decisions for the search and oversee the search process. The Transition Committee - composed of three family board members and four community members who are not eligible to apply for the position - will conduct the first round of interviews and select finalists to proceed to interviews with Durfee’s Board. In addition to its members, the Transition Committee receives tremendous help and input from a trusted Transition Consultant who is another Durfee fellow.
The Transition Committee’s first task was to hire a search firm to help conduct the search process. After a competitive process, the committee selected Walker and Associates Consulting - a California-based, BIPOC- and woman-owned strategic management consulting and executive search firm that has been serving foundations and nonprofits locally, regionally, and nationally for 30 years. Like Durfee, Walker is small, family run, and is known for nurturing its networks and conducting its work with a high degree of personal touch.
To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and list of three references (references will not be contacted without advance notice) to durfee@walkeraac.com by Friday, May 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm PT. Use the subject line: CEO Application. Please submit PDF or Microsoft Word files only, preferably with all materials in one combined file. Resume review begins immediately.
Questions or Nominations? Contact Jeannine N. Walker, President and CEO of Walker and Associates Consulting, at jwalker@walkeraac.com.
The Durfee Foundation is an at-will equal opportunity employer who recognizes that its work rests on the shoulders of Angelenos whose courage, innovation, and lived experience are making LA a better place. Durfee nurtures a culture of trust and inclusion in all interactions, especially with people from historically marginalized groups. Acknowledging the inherent power imbalance held as stewards of financial resources, Durfee looks for opportunities to share that power. Durfee strives to actively learn from, partner with, and invest in leaders who are deeply rooted in the communities served. Durfee does not unlawfully discriminate in the provision of employment opportunities, benefits, or privileges;create discriminatory work conditions;or use discriminatory evaluative standards in employment, if that discriminatory treatment is, in whole or in part, based on a protected classification under federal, state, or local law. As such, Durfee welcomes individuals of all races, religions, national origins, ethnicities, ages, mental or physical disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identities, marital status, veteran status, medical conditions, formerly incarcerated people, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance to apply.
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