PRESIDENT and CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Washington, D.C., the leading national public charity founded by educators in service of educators, seeks an innovative and passionate public education advocate to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. For more than four decades, the NEA Foundation has partnered with schools, districts, professional associations, unions, and communities to create powerful, sustainable improvements in teaching and learning. Through grants to educators, fellowships, awards, and numerous collaborative efforts, the Foundation seeks to advance the voice, experience, and expertise of educators. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Foundation, signifying an important moment not just for the organization, but for public education across the country. This next leader will have the opportunity to set the course for the next half century by working to respond to educator voices and find solutions for improved student learning, empowering public school educators to improve student performance, and advocating for the education profession writ large. The President and CEO is responsible for the operations of the Foundation, including a staff of 17, an annual operating budget of $7 million, and an endowment, currently valued at $46 million. Key responsibilities for the new leader include working productively with the Board of Directors; developing and clarifying the mission and values of the Foundation; managing all aspects of staff activities, including advocacy, programs, and grant management; providing oversight of all systems of accountability; and assembling a set of strategies necessary to advance the mission, goals, and values of the Foundation. The position requires a high level of visibility both internally and externally. has retained, a national executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of the President and CEO. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence as noted at the end of this document. THE FOUNDATION is a public charity founded by educators for educators to improve public education for every student. Since its beginning in 1969, the Foundation has served as a laboratory of learning that tests out innovative ideas and provides funding and other resources to public school educators, their schools, and districts to solve complex teaching and learning challenges.
While considered a small foundation, it is national in its scope and orientation. Since 2014, the NEA Foundation is proud to have supported 28,376 educators and 1,882,051 students across 50 states. The Foundation also has a unique, but independent, relationship with the National Education Association (NEA), the largest professional employee organization in the United States serving approximately 3 million public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty, and staff at colleges and universities. Both organizations share a commitment to keep the promise of public education for every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. Another unique attribute of the Foundation is that it structures its work around the idea that educators play a critical role in creating and leading educational change. receives contributions from corporations, foundations, educators, and other individuals, including NEA members. Through its careful stewardship of contributed funds, the Foundation is proud to have received Charity Navigator s highest, 4-star rating on financial health, accountability, and transparency for the past eight years, a record that puts it in the top 2 percent of all rated charities. Programmatic Investments All of the NEA Foundation s activities are in service to educators and their students, to provide them the excellent public education they deserve. The Foundation accomplishes this through providing grants to improve classroom instruction, by supporting educators professional growth through fellowships, and by collaborating with other entities, including state associations and unions, who share the same goals. Signature initiatives include: Grants to educators. To improve student learning, the Foundation provides grants to individuals and teams of educators to support instructional practice and professional development across all subject areas and grade levels. Global Learning Fellowship. The Foundation leads an annual, cohort-based professional development program to provide 50 educators with a blend of online, peer, and field-based learning opportunities to prepare themselves and their students for global citizenship. Fellows share what they learn with educators around the country and world by posting free, adaptable, globally focused lesson plans online. More than 130 global learning lesson plans are now available, and the Foundation is cultivating a growing network of global education leaders and advocates. Awards for excellence in public education. The Foundation presents the Awards for Teaching Excellence at its annual gala to honor the critical work that public school educators do every day. In 2017, the Foundation celebrated 43 exemplary educators, all from different states. Improving the quality of STEM education in underserved communities. The NEA Foundation invests in educator-led and union-supported STEM programming that encourages students to incorporate STEM learning into their daily lives, academic careers, and professional endeavors. The Foundation awards two $300,000, multi-year grants to increase student engagement and motivation around STEM. Page 2 of 6
In addition, the Foundation is funding the CT STEM Academy, an out-of-school-time initiative in Wallingford, CT created and led by educators, to test strategies for student and family engagement in supporting high-need students with STEM learning. Expanding the publication and distribution of multicultural children s literature. The NEA Foundation partners with First Book to ensure that all students both see themselves and also a diverse world in the books they read. Since 2016, Foundation resources brought nine new children s books to market and funded printing and distribution costs for getting 45,000 books to Title I schools. These resources also support educators as they build lesson plans around critical social-emotional learning concepts, such as empathy, respect, and selfawareness, while encouraging students to become avid readers and life-long learners. Breakfast in the Classroom. The Foundation is a key partner in a national collaboration that provides breakfast to students to ensure that they are properly nourished and ready to learn. During the 2016-17 school year, this program provided breakfast to more than 16,000 underserved students across 56 schools. Governance The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 24 distinguished professional leaders across a diverse set of fields. Each member offers a unique perspective on public education, drawn from their own experiences and relationships within the public, private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Foundation benefits significantly from the Board s leadership, thinking, and commitment to public education. Board members serve up to two, three-year terms. Leadership Transition In spring 2018, Harriet Sanford announced her decision to step down from her role as President and CEO in 2019. Harriet has successfully stewarded the Foundation for more than 12 years, overseeing a transformation of the Foundation s programs and grantmaking that has given educators even greater voice and agency. During her noteworthy tenure, the Foundation awarded $40 million in grants to educators, districts, and unions to strengthen instruction and learning in public schools across the nation. The result has been a greater voice for educators in advocating for the profession and for its students, as well as growing the power of educators in decision-making within their classrooms, schools, and the design of educational programs and policies. Harriet s successor will inherit a robust and sound organization that is poised for continued impact and innovation in the years to come. ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CEO The President and CEO reports to the Board of Directors and has overall fiduciary and managerial responsibility for all Foundation activities. The Foundation has an annual operating budget of approximately $7 million and a current endowment value of $46 million. The President and CEO leads a diverse, 17-person team who share a deep commitment to public education as well as equity, access, and diversity. Reporting directly to the President and CEO are the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, two Senior Vice Presidents for Programs, and a Special Assistant. Page 3 of 6
s new President and CEO will take charge of a highly respected organization with substantial strengths including a strong staff team, a deeply dedicated and well-networked board, and a track record of partnerships and impact. More specifically, the next President and CEO will address the following opportunities and challenges: Collaboratively set a vision for the Foundation s future in an ever-changing landscape With the public education landscape evolving and significant changes taking place in the composition of the educator workforce and student demographics; along with a greater need for students to master 21st century skills within a dynamic and global world; the NEA Foundation has a critical role to play as change agents and innovators. The next leader will have the courage and foresight to look to the future, chart new responsive grantmaking and philanthropic pathways, and respond in real time to the needs of the teaching profession, as well as the needs of students and public education. Continue to strengthen existing programs and seek out new opportunities to support educators in their development as leaders in and outside the classroom The arrival of a new President and CEO presents an opportunity for the Foundation to strategically assess its programmatic strategy and goals and ensure that the organization is as catalytic and impactful as possible. Represent the Foundation as a leading voice in public education The President and CEO will be a persuasive and prominent voice for the values of public education and the voice of teachers. In addition to serving as a chief relationship builder throughout the field, the President and CEO will also be a public ambassador for the Foundation and must be able to excite the public, donors, and other stakeholders around its mission and activities. Looking ahead, there is significant opportunity for the Foundation to become more outward facing and visible, and the next President and CEO will be integral to this effort. Generate philanthropic support and ensure fiscal sustainability As a national but small foundation, the NEA Foundation is fortunate to be able to be nimble and responsive, yet it has to be strategic in how it uses and allocates its finite resources. This next leader will continue to grow the organization s philanthropic support. Over the last couple of years, the Foundation has been building the basis for planned giving and endowment fundraising, and the intention is that in this next chapter these efforts will mature, along with more influx of philanthropy dollars. The President and CEO will work with the board and staff to assess today s funding strategy, and decide how best to leverage existing funds while identifying new opportunities. Page 4 of 6
Develop and strengthen partnerships to expand scale and impact is an organization with enormous opportunity for influencing change in public education. Though it is a disciplined and focused philanthropic organization, the Foundation s resources and expertise alone will not be sufficient to meet its mission. To create lasting change, the Foundation must engage the energy, expertise, and resources of other philanthropic, governmental, corporate, grassroots groups, along with educational entities and practitioners. To date, the Foundation has created active partnerships around key projects that seek to improve public education, particularly for underserved communities. The next President and CEO will identify and cultivate new strategic partnership opportunities that support existing and future initiatives. Effectively guide and support the Board of Directors as well as lead and empower a strong leadership team and staff Under current leadership, the Foundation s board has grown and diversified, which has been tremendously beneficial for the organization. Looking ahead, there is also opportunity to find more and new ways to bring board members together, engage them, and ensure that their unique contributions and expertise are being maximized. also consists of dedicated and collegial staff. The next President and CEO will work to retain, develop, and attract the strongest possible team. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE While no candidate will possess all of the desired experiences, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following professional experiences and personal characteristics: A deep personal interest in and commitment to the NEA Foundation mission of improving public education for all students and serving as a champion for teachers. A proven record of senior-level experience in education leadership, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, public policy, advocacy, and/or government. A national perspective and national networks, as well as a successful track record of providing strategic and visionary leadership. Exposure to public policy, conviction, and demonstrated commitment to educational justice along with a nuanced understanding of power, enfranchisement, and equity. A passionate and compelling advocate with outstanding communication and presentation skills as well as the interpersonal ability to be an effective spokesperson. An aptitude for engaging a wide range of diverse stakeholders and a track record of building bridges and coalitions with other movements and campaigns. A proven track record of fundraising; and experience or familiarity with philanthropy and/or leading a hybrid-type organizational model is preferred. Experience with, or a clear understanding of the role of unions within the education landscape. Page 5 of 6
Experience with organizational finances, investments, and their legal administration; strong business management skills and ability to define and meet measurable metrics. A record of building and supporting a positive work environment and a high-functioning team, including the supporting and hiring of staff, and the ability to delegate effectively. Experience and commitment to building and maintaining a diverse, inclusive workplace. Experience and comfort in using and integrating technology institutionally in an effort to strengthen workplace activities and projects. Energetic, diplomatic, forward looking, opportunistic, resilient, collaborative, transparent, flexible, nimble, and creative. More information on the NEA Foundation can be found at: www.neafoundation.org/ TO APPLY Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the website for the search: www.imsearch.com/6481. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged. Ericka Miller, Vice President; Rebecca Swartz, Principal; Katherine Stellato, Associate 1300 19th St NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036 Board of Directors is committed to equal employment opportunity in all employment-related matters, including hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfers and other personnel actions, without regard to race, citizenship, religion, color, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation and political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by federal or District of Columbia law. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent management from implementing any legally permissible affirmative action programs. In addition, the NEA Foundation complies with the District of Columbia s Human Rights Law. Page 6 of 6