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About Ms. Foundation for Women

For more than 50 years, Ms. Foundation for Women has shaped feminist philanthropy in the United States, providing a blueprint for the establishment of hundreds of local and regional women’s funds, influencing mainstream culture through nationwide projects and campaigns, and making grants totaling over $100 million to more than 1,600 grassroots organizations across the United States and its territories. 

Through grantmaking and capacity building, philanthropic advocacy, and thought leadership, Ms. Foundation is the national model for sustainable, trust-based philanthropic support of women-led movements. With equity and inclusion as the cornerstones of true democracy, Ms. Foundation works to create a world in which the worth and dignity of every person are valued, and power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.

In 1973, the Founding Mothers – Gloria Steinem, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Patricia Carbine and Marlo Thomas — established the Ms. Foundation as the first national public foundation to support women’s and girls' efforts to govern their own lives and influence the world around them. Guided by an intersectional gender, racial and economic justice lens, Ms. Foundation centers women and gender-expansive people, advances grassroots solutions to complex problems, connects leaders to capacity-building opportunities, and builds collective power to drive social change. 

Ms. Foundation funds and builds leaders.

Ms. Foundation listens, trusts, and responds to grassroots leaders, offering not just grants but also an array of tools, opportunities, and networks to build skills, increase capacity, and make change. 

Ms. Foundation advocates with and for women and gender-expansive people.

Ms. Foundation fights with and for people and communities most affected by systemic oppression who have expertise and solutions, no matter the issue - from reproductive justice to climate change, economic security, police violence, and more.

Ms. Foundation advances intersectional feminism in philanthropy.

Ms. Foundation shapes the field by urging individual and institutional funders across the country to use an intersectional gender, racial, and economic justice lens in their work, making connections across movements and sectors and creating partnerships to build collective power. 

Ms. Foundation directs resources to grassroots partners working at the local, state, regional, and national levels.

Ms. Foundation leveraged and moved approximately $11 million in FY25 to the field to advance gender, racial, and economic equity and to support grassroots organizations and movements that center women and gender-expansive people of color. 

Ms. Foundation changes the story.

As a seasoned thought leader, Ms. Foundation partners with others to influence dominant narratives and challenge people across all sectors to imagine — and work toward — a world where all people can thrive.

Ms. Foundation achieves this work with an active and committed staff of approximately 25 people primarily based out of the Brooklyn, NY headquarters. Onsite team members typically work in the bright and vibrant offices three days each week. Remote staff members travel to Brooklyn in regular intervals to spend time with the team for collaborative work. Bringing a shared passion for gender, racial, and economic justice work, the staff contribute to a supportive and joyful community that values transparency, communication, and respect for the history of the institution and the values that it espouses.

As the needs of women, girls, and gender-expansive people deepen, Ms. Foundation is prepared to expand its reach and impact. Following a highly successful 50th anniversary campaign, “Creating the Future We Deserve,” the Foundation’s endowment stands at over $100 million. Today, Ms. Foundation looks ahead with ongoing support from individuals nationwide, public and private foundations, and corporate partners. For FY26, the organization’s operating budget totals $19 million.  

Reflecting its recognition of the role that women play in building a healthy democracy, the Foundation created a c4 organization, the Ms. Action Fund. The Fund is the grassroots advocacy and political engagement sister organization of the Foundation, focusing on advancing local policy, electoral, and lobbying work.

Quick Facts

Founded in 1973

25 staff members

Board Members: https://forwomen.org/about-us/people/board/ 

Financials: https://forwomen.org/about-us/financials/ 

Operating Budget: $19 million 

Endowment: over $100 million

Values: https://forwomen.org/about-us/ 

Learn more at: forwomen.org

President and CEO Search

In today’s social, economic, and political context—marked by mounting threats to democratic norms, increased political polarization, economic inequality, devastating rollbacks to women’s rights, including reproductive justice and bodily autonomy, attacks on nonprofits and foundations, as well as significant shifts in the philanthropic sector—the work of Ms. Foundation is more important than ever. Ms. Foundation’s strategic emphasis on building power from the grassroots to the national level, strengthening infrastructure for social change, and expanding and aligning movements across sectors means that the next CEO must lead with both strategic rigor and movement mindset.

Ms. Foundation is launching the search for a CEO who will honor the legacy of the Foundation while propelling it boldly into its next chapter: reinforcing its role as a catalyst for feminist, antiracist, intersectional philanthropy; deepening relationships and building partnerships with both national and grassroots organizations and movement leaders; and expanding the Foundation’s influence and impact on behalf of women, girls, and gender-expansive people across the U.S.

Working in deep partnership with the staff and Board of Directors, the President and CEO is expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:

Cultivate and Hold High-Level Relationships

• Build collegial, productive relationships with team members, Board Members, grantee partners, donors, peer funders, volunteers, and institutional partners, through the lens of the organizational values
• Serve as the primary fundraiser for the organization, holding relationships with top individual and institutional donors and funders, and working with the Advancement Team to solicit donations
• Maintain relationships with grantees and partner intermediary organizations to understand the ecosystems of grassroots organizations and social justice philanthropy
• Lead Ms. Foundation for Women in its role as a connector and convener across sectors
• Develop and engage an active Board of Directors, contributing to a strong and healthy Board culture 

Strategy and Vision-Setting

• Working with the Board of Directors and staff, build on a cohesive vision that proactively prepares Ms. Foundation for Women to move through uncertainty and leverages the unique strengths and legacy of the organization
• Lead staff and Board in understanding the strategic vision and application of the vision to external and internal priorities
• Align knowledge and learnings from sector to practices of grantmaking and capacity-building, philanthropic advocacy, and thought-leadership
• Guide organizational response to political and social realities, incorporating an approach to risk tolerance/management  
• Reimagine technology and people talent for a future state

Internal Leadership and Executive Oversight

• Bring active and engaged leadership to the ~25-person staff, leading with a commitment to and accountability around actively living the Ms. Foundation for Women’s values (integrity, trust and respect, interconnectedness, and social justice) throughout communications, relationships, work, and decision-making
• Directly supervise the Executive Leadership Team (currently comprised of Chief of Programs and Deputy CEO) and Executive Assistant/Board Coordinator
• Set the tone and culture for staff and Board, bringing clarity and transparency around decision-making and goals
• In close partnership with Executive Leadership Team, ensure sound fiscal and operational management to support efficient, high-capacity organizational functioning and sustainability
• Working with Board, Executive Leadership Team, and necessary external consulting support, manage any existing or oncoming risks to the organization
• Manage the Board functions to support strategic engagement and cohesion among a 20-person National Board of Directors

Internal and External Communications

• Serve as a compelling and charismatic lead spokesperson for Ms. Foundation for Women, carrying the mission to donors, partners, and other varied audiences through strategic use of special events, keynote speeches and panels, written thought pieces, and in individual/small group interactions
• Foster open, trust-based communication and shared understanding among staff, executive leadership, and the Board, centering transparency, collaboration, and mutual respect

Core Competencies

To be successful in this role, top candidates will demonstrate the following core competencies: 

Cultivate and Hold High-Level Relationships

• Experience in stewarding donor relationships and soliciting high-net worth individuals, private foundation leaders, and corporate donors; History of soliciting gifts in the 7-figure range
• Networks and credibility within grassroots movements and social justice organizations, as well as private and public philanthropy
• Demonstration of an approach centered in collaboration, humility, and emotional intelligence
• Ability and comfort engaging multigenerationally

Strategy and Vision-Setting

• Deep commitment to intersectional, feminist, and antiracist values with experience applying those values in professional leadership and organizational strategy within the U.S. context
• Track record that reflects an understanding of the political and social context impacting women, girls, and gender-expansive people in the U.S. and the role that grantmaking can play in supporting women-led movements
• Proven understanding of the link between promoting women’s participation, voice, and leadership in building a strong democracy

Internal Leadership and Executive Oversight

• History of values-centered executive leadership of a social justice organization with an operating budget of at least $20 million
• Experience applying a change management lens to support an organization through transition
• Financial acumen and experience holding responsibility for a multi-million dollar complex organizational budget 
• Understanding of the role that operational needs play in organizational sustainability and functioning

Internal and External Communications

• Track record of serving as a compelling spokesperson and storyteller with audiences varying in size and composition
• History of leveraging internal communications within an organization to build culture and trust

Applicants with the experiences above may bring backgrounds from a variety of sectors and arenas: philanthropy, nonprofit, academia, government, corporate, or beyond. These experiences are welcome, with the professional and personal demonstration of the values that Ms. Foundation for Women upholds. 

We acknowledge that candidates bring a wide range of experiences and may not match every competency listed. Those who excel in most of these areas — and who demonstrate alignment with Ms. Foundation values and the ability to grow into the role — will be especially competitive.

Travel and Location

This position is based out of the Ms. Foundation offices in Downtown Brooklyn, NY. When not traveling, the President and CEO will be expected to maintain a meaningful in-office presence. NY-based staff generally work in-office three days a week.

Historically, the President and CEO role has required about 50% time traveling nationally. 

Compensation and Benefits

The President and CEO salary range is $340,000-$370,000.

Ms. Foundation for Women offers health insurance options with both high- and low-deductible plans. Employees receive flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care (with a $500 annual employer contribution), and commuter expenses.

Paid time off begins at 20 days in the first year and increases with tenure, along with 11 paid holidays and additional leave options for parental, medical, and bereavement leave.

For retirement, employees are immediately eligible to contribute up to IRS limits and become eligible for a 3% automatic employer contribution after one year of service.

Application and Interview Process

To apply, please submit an updated resume by clicking the APPLY FOR THIS JOB button.

Priority will be given to applications received by January 20th, 2026.

Letters of interest are not required at this time, although written materials will be requested of candidates who proceed to meet with the Search Committee. 

Questions can be directed to Melissa Madzel at applications@dogoodconnections.com.  We also welcome your recommendations of others who may align with these qualifications.

The selection process is expected to include: 

• Resume review by the Do Good Connections team (with two sets of human review, no use of an AI screener) 
• Two screening interviews with the Do Good Connections team
• Review of written materials that will be requested of leading applicants
• Two rounds of interviews with the Search Committee
• Engagement with Ms. Foundation staff (in a structure and design that is to be determined)
• Final interview with the full Ms. Foundation Board of Directors

Screening and interviews are expected to take place through April, 2026. 

Statement of Equal Opportunity

Ms. Foundation for Women is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ms. Foundation for Women is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, Ms. Foundation will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact applications@dogoodconnections.com. We will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. 

About Do Good Connections

Do Good Connections is a boutique executive search and talent advisory firm that helps social justice organizations strengthen their leadership and governance through equity-centered, values-driven recruitment. Founded by Melissa Madzel, the firm partners with nonprofits and philanthropic institutions to design inclusive search processes and build boards that reflect the communities they serve.