EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Horizons Foundation (Horizons) envisions a world in which all LGBTQ people live freely and fully.As the world’s first community foundation of, by, and for LGBTQ people, Horizons has served for more than 45 years as a wellspring of support to San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ nonprofit organizations, a trusted philanthropic anchor for social justice causes, and a national leader in community investment. Horizons partners with donors, movement organizations, and community leaders to strengthen LGBTQ nonprofits, expand a culture of LGBTQ giving, and build a permanent endowment to secure the future of the LGBTQ community. The organization awards over $12 million in grants to community partners annually and stewards over $70 million in assets that includes a growing permanent endowment, positioning the organization to sustain LGBTQ communities for generations to come.

With the pending retirement of its long tenured leader Roger Doughty, whose vision and leadership over more than two decades have helped establish Horizons as a steady, stabilizing force in the Bay Area LGBTQ community, Horizons is seeking a bold, values driven individual to lead the organization as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This transition is both consequential and full of possibility. The next CEO will step into a landscape shaped by escalating political attacks on LGBTQ communities, evolving philanthropic norms, and a transfer of leadership and assets in the LGBTQ movement. The new CEO will serve as a leading voice, a skilled ambassador, and a strategic partner to donors, community organizations, and civic leaders, expanding Horizons’ reach, modernizing fundraising strategies, and strengthening the foundation’s role as a catalytic force in the movement to protect and advance LGBTQ rights.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Horizons seeks a visionary, strategic, relational leader with strong executive presence, fundraising acumen, and a deep understanding of community philanthropy. The successful candidate will have demonstrated a strong commitment to the LGBTQ community and possess a combination of strategic sophistication and emotional intelligence, balancing external engagement with internal capacity building.

The next CEO will lead a groundbreaking institution at a pivotal moment, advancing equity, mobilizing resources, and strengthening the LGBTQ movement in one of the most dynamic regions in the world. Opportunities for impact in this role include the following:

Lead at a defining moment for LGBTQ philanthropy and social justice. The next CEO will have the opportunity to elevate Horizons’ role as a values‑driven leader in a rapidly shifting social, political, and philanthropic landscape. This moment requires a leader who can navigate complexity with clarity, assess emerging risks, and remain steady amid uncertainty while keeping Horizons’ mission and values at the center.

They will provide the strategic vision to guide Horizons into the future, building on a strong legacy while expanding the organization’s reach, relevance, and impact. Working closely with the Board, staff, donors, and community partners, the CEO will shape a unifying, actionable plan that strengthens long‑term sustainability, deepens grantmaking impact, and broadens Horizons’ influence across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Through this leadership, the CEO will amplify Horizons’ position as a model for philanthropic institutions committed to equity, social justice, and a thriving future for all LGBTQ communities.

Be a powerful ambassador and advocate for Horizons and the communities it serves. The next CEO will elevate the foundation’s visibility, serving as a compelling, outward facing leader with strong presence, communication skills, deep community understanding, and the ability to navigate an attention economy to draw in new audiences to the foundation. They will cultivate and strengthen relationships with grantees, donors, community partners, civic leaders, and philanthropic institutions, while expanding Horizons’ reach. As a vocal advocate in an increasingly complex political environment, the CEO will champion the needs of LGBTQ communities with authenticity, courage, and strategic clarity. They will serve as a trusted spokesperson who communicates Horizons’ mission and impact with emotional intelligence, cultural competency, diplomacy, and vision, ensuring the organization is recognized as a bold, values driven leader in the region and beyond.

Advance Strategic Fundraising and Donor Engagement. The next CEO will expand Horizons’ fundraising strength and long‑term sustainability. Building on a 40‑year legacy of community‑centered philanthropy and a strong foundation in planned giving, they will enhance donor stewardship, strengthen and expand the major‑gifts strategy, and engage emerging LGBTQ philanthropists and Bay Area wealth leaders. As DAFs remain a distinctive engine for community investment, the CEO will deepen relationships with DAF holders and ensure the systems supporting this program are robust, responsive, and aligned with donor needs.

They will steward long‑standing donors while cultivating new philanthropic partners, creating clear pathways for a broad range of supporters to connect with Horizons’ mission. In partnership with staff and community leaders, the CEO will uphold and strengthen Horizons’ participatory community advisory processes, ensuring that community priorities guide philanthropic decision‑making. They will also reinforce mechanisms that enable donor‑advised fund holders to act as aligned stewards, channeling resources toward the priorities the foundation and community have identified as most urgent. Through strategic leadership, relationship‑building, and a sophisticated understanding of today’s philanthropic landscape, the CEO will diversify and grow the resources that fuel Horizons’ impact.

Advance Financial Stewardship and Strategic Clarity. Ensuring Horizons’ long‑term financial strength will be a central leadership priority. Building on a solid financial foundation, the CEO will bring strategic insight to guide sound decision‑making, deepen organizational understanding of financial risk and opportunity, and guide thoughtful choices about resource allocation that advance Horizons’ mission. They will oversee financial health and asset management with a focus on sustaining and growing the permanent endowment, ensuring that Horizons remains well‑positioned to serve LGBTQ communities for generations to come.

Catalyze Community Leadership and Movement‑Building. The CEO will elevate Horizons’ role as a visible, connected leader in LGBTQ movement‑building, ensuring Horizons serves not only as a funder but as a driving force for advocacy, strategy, and community resilience. They will strengthen and expand Horizons’ ability to respond quickly to emerging crises while also shaping a more intentional, long‑term approach to supporting grantee partners. As LGBTQ organizations navigate increasingly complex political and organizational challenges, the CEO will have the opportunity to position Horizons as a central hub for knowledge, convening, and collaboration, connecting leaders, equipping frontline organizations, and amplifying community strategies locally and nationally.

Foster a cohesive, committed, and high‑impact team culture. The team at Horizons is deeply committed to the community of people it serves. The CEO will lead a team of 13, manage 3 direct reports, and report to the Board of Directors.

The next CEO will be an effective leader of teams who cultivates talent, fosters trust, and inspires a positive, inclusive internal culture grounded in collaboration, transparency, equity, and empathy. They will mentor and develop leaders, actively listen to staff needs and aspirations, and cultivate an environment where individuals and teams thrive.

The CEO will strengthen internal systems and clarify decision‑making structures to ensure the organization has the operational infrastructure to sustain growth. This includes refining organizational processes, delegating effectively, and building alignment across teams so that systems, structures, and practices keep pace with Horizons’ evolving scale and ambitions. As Horizons enters its next chapter, the CEO will honor the foundation’s legacy while positioning it for greater visibility, impact, and long‑term sustainability.

Cultivate a strong partnership with the Board of Directors to advance Horizons’ mission. The next CEO will develop and maintain a relationship with the Board defined by trust, respect, transparency, and clear communication. They will partner with the Board to strengthen governance practices, clarify strategic priorities, and support clear decision‑making frameworks and consistent communication that promote alignment. They will work with the Board as it continues to grow as a strategic, empowered governing body that is fully engaged in fundraising, long‑term planning, and effective oversight as Horizons increases in size, complexity, and public profile.

To learn more about this opportunity, visit: https://www.npag.com/hf-ceo