Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive of CGF and is accountable to the Board of Directors for the organization’s overall health, performance, and mission delivery. The ED leads strategy, fundraising, operations, programs, and external representation, leading and managing with a style that balances compassion with accountability and a deep understanding of the journey children face in the foster care system. This is a hands-on role in a small but ambitious organization — the ED is expected to set vision in partnership with the Board, run a small staff team well, raise the funds needed to deliver the mission, and represent CGF across a three-county service area.

Core Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

•      Partner with the Board to set and execute CGF’s strategic direction, translating priorities into measurable goals and a clear operating plan.

•      Maintain and steward CGF’s strategic priority framework, currently anchored around Program Expansion, Community Engagement, and Organizational Excellence.

•      Identify, cultivate, and onboard prospective Board members with the Governance Committee.

•      Maintain a Board-adopted succession plan and ensure compliance with bylaws and governance policies.

2. Fundraising & Revenue Development

•      Plan and execute, in partnership with committees and community partners, CGF’s signature fundraising events, the Annual Fall Luncheon, the Lawn Party by the Bay with the Kiwanis Club, and the Giving Challenge every 2 years.

•      Develop and execute the annual fundraising plan across individual giving, grants, sponsorships, and events.

•      Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors and foundation funders, nurturing lasting donor loyalty.

•      Oversee donor database management, grant reporting, and donor stewardship and acknowledgment.

3. Financial Management & Compliance

•      Prepare the annual operating budget and manage spending against it throughout the year.

•      Provide timely, accurate financial reporting to the Board at each meeting.

•      Coordinate the annual audit/financial review and timely filing of IRS Form 990.

•      Maintain Florida charitable registration (CH37509), insurance coverage, and donor-restricted fund stewardship.

4. Programs & Mission Delivery

•      Provide strategic oversight of all CGF programs and partner with the Program Director on quality and capacity.

•      Build bridges between the community, the organization, and the children and families it serves.

•      Review program utilization and outcomes quarterly and bring data-informed recommendations to the Board.

•      Identify service gaps and lead development of new or expanded programs as funding allows.

5. Staff Leadership & Organizational Culture

•      Recruit, hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate staff and contractors.

•      Build a mission-aligned culture rooted in inclusive decision-making and restorative practices.

•      Set annual goals and quarterly priorities for the team, with regular feedback and performance reviews.

•      Maintain current, Board-aligned personnel policies, including a staff handbook and AI use policy.

6. Marketing, Communications & Community Engagement

•      Serve as CGF’s primary spokesperson, compelling storyteller, and connection to the community.

•      Oversee CGF’s brand standards across all communications channels, including newsletters, website, social media, and annual report.

•      Cultivate ongoing relationships with community partners, civic groups, congregations, businesses, etc.

•      Deliver presentations and attend community events that grow CGF’s visibility and donor pipeline.

7. Operations, Technology & Risk Management

•      Oversee CGF’s technology needs, including financial systems, donor database, and productivity tools.

•      Ensure data security and confidentiality protections appropriate to a child-serving organization.

•      Maintain organizational records, including contracts, insurance policies, and personnel files.

•      Identify and manage organizational risk, escalating significant risks to the Board promptly.

Desired Qualifications

•      Demonstrated leadership experience in a nonprofit or comparably complex mission-driven organization.

•      Proven track record in fundraising, including donor cultivation, grant writing, and event execution.

•      Strong technology literacy and ability to articulate technology needs to funders and vendors.   

•      Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial reporting, and nonprofit compliance.

•      Experience working with a board of directors, including governance support and board materials.

•      Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable as a hands-on leader in a small organization.

•      Direct experience in child welfare, foster care, or services to children and families.

•      Established donor and community relationships in the Sarasota, Manatee, or DeSoto County region.

•      Equivalent combination of education and professional experience sufficient to lead the organization effectively.

Working Conditions & Compensation

Primarily in-office in Sarasota with regional travel across the three-county service area; occasional evenings and weekends. Valid driver’s license and Level II background screening required.

Salary range: $90,000-$110,000, commensurate with experience and aligned to comparable nonprofit ED roles in the Sarasota market. Benefits include PTO, holidays, SIMPLE IRA 3% match, and health insurance contribution.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter mentioning how you learned about this job opening, resume, and three professional references to edsearch@childrensguardianfund.org. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. CGF is an equal opportunity employer.