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April 2006

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Lenny Zakim Fund

Boston, MA

www.thelennyzakimfund.org

 

 

OUR MISSION:

To identify, listen to, support and connect grassroots community organizations and programs operating “below the radar screen” who have the will and the potential to make a difference but lack resources.  A particular emphasis of The Fund will target support for efforts at constructive coalition building across race, religious and ethnic lines.


ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

The Lenny Zakim Fund, now in its tenth year, is a philanthropic organization that funds small, grassroots organizations focused on bridge-building, social and economic justice, violence prevention, education and healthcare. 

It was founded by and continues to be inspired by the late Lenny Zakim.  As the executive director of the New England Region of the Anti-Defamation League, Lenny fought tirelessly to put an end to prejudice, civil rights violations, anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry of all kinds. After Lenny was diagnosed in 1995 with multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the bone marrow, he created, with the help of friends and supporters, a philanthropic organization that would transform his vision of social justice into an enduring legacy: The Lenny Zakim Fund.

The Fund is managed by its sole employee—the Executive Director—in conjunction with its 16-member Board of Directors. Its annual operating funds are raised primarily from individual donations and income on endowment. The Fund currently maintains a $3 million endowment and dispenses approximately $325,000 in small grants annually, with an average grant amount of $5,500.

A Community Outreach Committee submits nominations to the Fund's staff and Board. Each spring, the Board reviews approximately 100 applications and begins an extensive selection process to explore the nature and needs of some 60 to 70 applicant programs. Members of The Lenny Zakim Fund Board conduct personal site visits to applicants to see the program in action, meet with the people involved, become familiar with their work, listen to their concerns, and hear their application presentations. The site visits are vital to the way The Fund works: they foster personal interaction with existing and potential grantees and enable The Fund to be more open and flexible in its grant-making approach. The Lenny Zakim Fund grants are presented at a year-end Awards Ceremony that highlights the work of individual grantees and builds meaningful connections between recipients and supporters of The Fund.

The Fund is deeply committed to minimizing expenses, and benefits from generously donated professional services. The law firm of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary provides office space for The Lenny Zakim Fund in downtown Boston.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

At this exciting time in the organization’s evolution and growth, The Lenny Zakim Fund is seeking its first full-time Executive Director to provide a new level of leadership and vision.  Building upon the successes of her/his predecessor, the new Executive Director will be charged with:

·        Raising the profile of The Lenny Zakim Fund within the Boston area philanthropic community through individual contacts and meetings, events and activities, and increased media coverage;

·        Implementing an ambitious fundraising strategy that expands its program of individual major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship;

·        Sustaining its partnership model with grantees; and

·        Working collaboratively with the board of directors to support board development activities that promote deeper board engagement in governance and fundraising as well as new member recruitment.

The successful candidate will present a significant record of achievement that demonstrates:

·        A history of leadership where inspiring others is a key to success;

·        The ability to translate Lenny Zakim’s social justice philosophy into action;

·        A successful record of major donor fundraising; and

·        Familiarity with community-based social action and related nonprofit organizations in the greater Boston area.

 

The position is available June 2006.


SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

 

External Relations and Fundraising

  • Serve as the organization’s chief spokesperson to a variety of publics—including individual and institutional donors, nonprofit and community leaders, and other stakeholders—passionately communicating The Fund’s mission and vision.
  • Promote The Lenny Zakim Fund and its mission through a marketing strategy that incorporates media relations, public speaking opportunities, written/electronic communications, and outreach to for-profit, nonprofit, and public organizations.
  • Develop relationships and programming to provide broader networking opportunities for The Lenny Zakim Fund grantees and to position The Fund as an advocate organization regarding critical issues of social concern.
  • In collaboration with the Board and the Board Development Subcommittee, develop and implement an ambitious major donor strategy that incorporates effective cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors by the Board and the Executive Director.
  • Oversee the solicitation and cultivation of annual fund donors.
  • Prepare quarterly development reports for the Executive Committee.
  • Maintain contributions database and ensure the timely acknowledgement of gifts.
  • Work with Board members on the design, production and distribution of development communications materials.

Grantee Relations & Grants Administration

  • Serve as the primary interface with grant applicants and recipients, developing and deepening relationships and providing guidance to Fund recipients and applicants as appropriate.
  • Disseminate annual application material.  Process annual submissions and distribute copies to grant review subcommittee.
  • Coordinate site visit process to grant applicant organizations.
  • Work with Database Consultant to produce annual grant application notebooks for use throughout each grant-making cycle.


Event Planning

  • Work in cooperation with a board subcommittee to design and implement two Lenny Zakim Fund Institutes and one Award Ceremony annually.
  • Produce related written materials including quarterly electronic newsletters; annual Award Ceremony brochure; invitations; and Institute program kits.
  • Coordinate plans for increased donor and prospect participation in site visits and Award Ceremony program.

 

Board Support & Organizational Administration

  • Work closely with Board leadership to effectively engage the Board in high-level fundraising, and board governance/board recruitment responsibilities.
  • Coordinate, schedule and attend all meetings of the Board and subcommittees.
  • Maintain on-going communication with Board members.
  • Work with database consultant to ensure The Fund’s database expansion and maintenance of The Fund’s website.
  • Serve as liaison to auditors for annual financial filings.
  • Process checks, conduct payroll and reconcile monthly ledger.
  • Oversee temporary or contract staff engaged in administrative support activities.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate will present a significant record of achievement that combines an understanding of the role community-based nonprofits play in social action with the leadership, fundraising and management skills necessary to run a vital philanthropic organization. 


Desired experience and skills include:

·        Minimum three to five years’ senior management experience in a nonprofit or other organization, where mobilizing internal and external resources was required.

·        Significant fundraising ability, including a demonstrable track record of cultivating and securing major support ($10,000+) from individual donors.

·        Strong public relations, program management and events planning skills. Experience with grants management preferred.

·        Knowledge of community affairs, multicultural issues, and social justice/community-based organizations in the greater Boston area.

·        Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products, along with the ability to harness technology to serve the needs of a small nonprofit.

QUALIFICATIONS (cont’d.):


Desired personal qualities include:

·        Passion for social justice that incorporates the ability to inspire and motivate others.

·        Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders—advisory board members, the grantee community, program participants, community partners, etc.—to further The Lenny Zakim Fund’s mission and vision.

·        Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills.

·        Flexibility to deal diplomatically and successfully with organizational and environmental changes.

·        Ability to work independently with minimal administrative support.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please submit cover letter, resume, three professional references, and salary requirements to:  LZFund@tdcorp.org no later than May 5, 2006.  All resumes will be acknowledged upon receipt.  Please no calls. 

 

The Lenny Zakim Fund is an equal opportunity employer.