Taproot Foundation, an innovative and fast-growing national nonprofit, is seeking a dynamic Executive Director - Central Region. In this key leadership role, you will be part of an exciting movement of exceptional, ambitious people. Based in Chicago and working from Toronto to Texas, you will be set up for success with a strong support structure to do what you do best in an external role, creating partnerships with foundations and companies who will share a bold vision.

Taproot Foundation believes that we as a country have the potential to:

• Boost the nonprofit sector's ability to address our nation's greatest needs including healthcare, education, poverty and the environment.
• Redefine for millions of business professionals their potential as agents of change in their communities and the broader society by engraining service as an opportunity and responsibility of business professionals throughout their careers and into retirement.
• Reframe how companies leverage their resources to invest in the community.

We can achieve this by:

• Instilling the pro bono ethic in the core business professions (marketing, HR, finance, etc.) from college through retirement like it is in the legal profession.
• Building and supporting the infrastructure necessary to engage and manage these volunteers to deliver high quality services for nonprofit organizations.
• Generating $5 billion a year in pro bono professional services for nonprofit organizations by engaging 700,000 volunteers in service annually.

The Opportunity
The Executive Director, Central Region will lead the organization to achieve its ambitious Central Region agenda. Over the next 3-5 years you will:

• Expand the Chicago program from serving 60 to over 200 nonprofit organizations per year
• Investigate, prioritize, launch and develop additional cities stretching from Toronto to Texas
• Integrate the pro bono ethic into companies and trade associations in the region while playing a leadership role in the region's capacity building and nonprofit communities
• Represent your region's interests to and be a leading member of the national management team

Key Responsibilities
Fundraising

• Secure $500,000 budget that is projected to grow to $2 million annually over the next 3 years primarily from private, community and corporate foundations
• Renew and grow existing regional foundation partnerships with leading area foundations.
• Prioritize, engage and especially close new fundraising prospects.
• Initiate and close corporate client relationships

Leadership

• Be an active leader of the capacity building, volunteering and nonprofit communities throughout the region
• Secure partnerships, speaking engagements and other visible leadership roles
• Lead the annual operating planning and budgeting process for your region
• Play an integral role as a key member of the national management team
• Provide leadership for Central Region staff

Program Oversight

• Ensure your program team achieves benchmarks for scale and quality
• Leverage significant national program resources for training and best practices

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is currently a CEO/Executive Director or other senior executive with fundraising responsibilities for a $1+ million nonprofit. Specifically, s/he is:

• A proven fundraiser with a successful track record of securing and growing support from foundations and, ideally, corporations
• Experienced with Chicago-area and other regional funders, corporations, organizations and leaders
• Effective at building long-term partnerships with outside organizations to strategically extend Taproot Foundation's reach and resources
• An excellent communicator who both listens well and articulates ideas in clear and compelling ways
• Able to make decisions quickly and continue to make progress within a rapidly growing organization
• Able to navigate both for-profit and nonprofit environments, bringing a blend of market and mission perspective
• A team player who can work collaboratively within the national management team and with other departments to fulfill the strategic plan and collectively scale the organization
• Experienced and able to interact effectively with people of a variety of cultural backgrounds

Location
Chicago, with approximately 20% travel anticipated

Application Process
Please send your cover letter, resume and salary requirements to Susan Egmont, Egmont Associates, at segmont@egmontassociates.com, 85 East India Row #24F, Boston, MA 02110.

THE TAPROOT FOUNDATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. The Taproot Foundation strives to reflect the diverse community it serves. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

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