Executive Director

Fair Chance

Status: Full-time, exempt employee

Salary: $165,000 

Location: Washington, DC

Reports to: Board of Directors

Deadline: Apply by mid- August for best consideration.

About Fair Chance

Since 2002, Fair Chance has helped build stronger nonprofit leaders, more successful organizations, and life-changing outcomes for children, families, and communities across the Greater Washington region. We believe that when community-based nonprofits have exceptional leadership, strong organizational capacity, and access to the right resources, they are better equipped to tackle our region's most complex challenges and create lasting change where it matters most.

Fair Chance partners with community-based organizations that are deeply rooted in the communities they serve—many of them led by leaders of color and those with lived experience. Through highly customized leadership development, executive coaching, organizational consulting, and strategic capacity-building partnerships, Fair Chance helps nonprofit leaders strengthen their organizations, navigate complexity, and increase their impact. As a trusted partner and thought leader, Fair Chance is expanding access to high-quality leadership and organizational support so that more nonprofits can thrive and more communities can flourish.

Over more than two decades, Fair Chance has supported nonprofit leaders, addressed some of the region’s most pressing challenges, including educational inequity, housing instability, health disparities, and youth engagement. Together, with its nonprofit partners, Fair Chance has contributed to improved outcomes for nearly 200,000 children, youth, and family members while advancing a broader vision of racially equitable communities.

Today, Fair Chance is implementing an ambitious ten-year vision centered on three interconnected outcomes: stronger leaders, successful nonprofits, and life-changing outcomes for our region. The organization seeks to double the number of nonprofits benefiting from its approach, strengthen nonprofit resilience, and increase opportunities, visibility, and access to resources for leaders of color. 

With an annual budget of approximately $1.6 million, a talented 8 person staff, and a committed 13-person Board of Directors, Fair Chance has a respected reputation among nonprofit, philanthropic, and civic leaders throughout the DC region. Learn more at www.fairchance.org.

Leadership Opportunity

Fair Chance seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative Executive Director (E.D.) to lead the organization into its next phase of impact. Following a transitional year of co-executives and organizational transformation, Fair Chance is now consolidating leadership under a single E.D. who will lead strategy and external relations, as well as guide operations and organizational culture. This is a role that blends vision and hands-on, day-to-day management as the the E.D. advances Fair Chance’s commitment to supporting leaders, building up nonprofits, and achieving life-changing outcomes. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the E.D. will serve as Fair Chance’s chief strategist, spokesperson, and fundraiser. The incoming executive will build on the organization’s strong reputation, proven capacity building model, and clear strategic direction to ensure Fair Chance continues to strengthen community-based nonprofits and improve outcomes for all.

A key priority for the E.D. will be advancing Fair Chance’s impact through strengthening fundraising partnerships, expanding donor relationships, and enhancing the organization’s influence. The E.D. will serve as a visible advocate for community-based nonprofits and the leaders who drive change within them, with particular emphasis on, and support for, leaders of color. They will cultivate relationships with philanthropy, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders while elevating Fair Chance’s brand and expanding opportunities for partnership, investment, and sector-wide impact.

Internally, the E.D. will foster a high-performing, inclusive, and equitable culture while leading fundraising, financial stewardship, talent development, and organizational growth. Working closely with staff and board leadership, the E.D. will ensure Fair Chance remains a strong, sustainable, and mission-driven nonprofit positioned to maximize its impact for years to come. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors and supervises the Deputy Executive Director, Finance and Ops Manager and Development team.  

Key Responsibilities

Vision, Strategy, and Governance

• Provide inspiring leadership that advances Fair Chance’s mission, values, and vision.
• Lead implementation of Fair Chance’s strategic refresh, establishing annual priorities, goals, budgets, and performance measures.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors and staff to refine strategy as needed and ensure strong alignment among mission, programs, and financial resources.
• Identify opportunities, challenges, and trends affecting community-based nonprofits.
• Advance Fair Chance’s commitment to racial equity throughout organizational culture, policies, programs, partnerships, and decision-making.
• Supervise a high-performing team while fostering an organizational culture of learning, innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the Board’s primary liaison, providing timely reports, operational updates, and strategic guidance; support board development and committee engagement.

Fundraising and External Relations

• Serve as the organization’s chief spokesperson and ambassador.
• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports organizational sustainability and growth.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate partners, government agencies, and philanthropic leaders.
• Expand Fair Chance’s visibility, influence, and thought leadership among nonprofit, philanthropic, civic, and policy audiences.
• Build relationships with community leaders, funders, sector partners, and policymakers to advance Fair Chance’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Champion investment in community-based nonprofits and elevate public discourse regarding racial equity, nonprofit capacity building, and community-led solutions.

Operations, Talent, and Culture

• Ensure effective stewardship of Fair Chance’s financial, operational, and human resources.
• Prepare financial modeling, scenario planning, and cash flow projections to support overall fiscal health and programmatic decision-making. 
• Strengthen infrastructure, systems, and processes to support growth and sustainability.
• In partnership with the Finance and Operations Manager, direct financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes; partner with external accountants and auditors to ensure sound fiscal management and compliance.
• Monitor financial performance and provide analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Supervise staff and contractor recruitment, onboarding, relations, performance management, compensation administration, and leadership development.
• Provide guidance for systems that support staff growth, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Direct contracts, insurance, compliance requirements, and operational resources.
• Ensure organizational compliance with employment policies and applicable regulations.
• Oversee other organizational operations, technology systems, vendor relationships, and administrative functions.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities 

This position will be a challenging and rewarding opportunity that requires a diverse set of skills and experiences. While we understand that no single candidate can possess every qualification listed below, the following are priority areas:

• Passion for Fair Chance’s mission of strengthening community-based nonprofits to achieve life-changing results for children, youth, and families in communities impacted by racism, discrimination, and poverty.
• At least ten years of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit, philanthropic, social impact, or related mission-driven organization.
• Significant fundraising experience, including cultivating and securing diversified support from major donors, foundations, corporations, and government entities. A past record stewarding individual donors is ideal. 
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, community-centered leadership, and systems- level social change.
• Successful record leading organizational strategy, growth, and change management.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and ability to engage diverse stakeholders with authenticity, credibility, and humility.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills, including public speaking, facilitation, writing, and media engagement.
• Record of building and leading high-performing teams while fostering an inclusive, supportive, and accountable workplace culture.
• Strong financial and operational management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and organizational planning.
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively with boards of directors and supporting strong governance practices.
• Experience developing partnerships, coalitions, and collaborative initiatives that advance organizational and community impact.
• Connections within the Greater Washington region and familiarity with issues affecting children, youth, families, and community-based nonprofits are considered a plus.

Compensation

The Board of Directors has budgeted a salary of $165,000. Fair Chance offers a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and other benefits designed to support employee well-being.

Application Process

The Board of Directors has retained the services of Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving small nonprofits. Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter that describes their interest in and qualifications for this role, emphasizing related leadership experience. Visit www.good-insight.org/careers to upload application materials. Direct confidential inquiries to Carlyn Madden, and Ana Chapa at fairchance@good-insight.org. 

For best consideration, apply by mid-August. Qualified applicants will be contacted on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fair Chance is an equal opportunity employer. Fair Chance values diversity and believes that a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences strengthens its work and advances its mission. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.