Executive Director

Position Announcement:
Executive Director

About Astoria High School Scholarships, Inc.

For 50 years, Astoria High School Scholarships, Inc. (AHSSI) has done something quietly remarkable: built and administered one of the most robust scholarship programs in Oregon — not through aggressive fundraising campaigns or grant cycles, but through the sustained generosity of Astoria residents and alumni who believe in their students.

Founded in 1976, AHSSI has grown to manage more than 100 individual scholarship accounts, each one reflecting a donor’s deep connection to this community. Today, the organization awards over 90 scholarships annually to graduating AHS seniors pursuing education through college, trade school, apprenticeship, or other accredited or certified programs, distributing more than $350,000 each year.

That success has been organic, community-driven, and deeply rooted — which is exactly why it has

As AHSSI celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization is entering its most ambitious chapter yet. With a strong investment portfolio and growing community support, AHSSI is ready to expand its scholarship program beyond the first years of post‑secondary education to support students through their third and fourth years of college or trade school. This growth represents a meaningful evolution in the organization’s mission.

This is a founding executive role — an opportunity to be the first professional leader of an organization with 50 years of community trust behind it and significant momentum ahead.

The Executive Director will serve as AHSSI’s chief executive and public face, taking over day‑to‑day administrative responsibilities currently managed by office staff while assuming the community‑facing, strategic, and organizational leadership functions the volunteer board has carried. Working closely with the board, the right candidate will be equally comfortable managing 100+ scholarship accounts and representing AHSSI at a community event. They will be self‑directed, detail‑oriented, and genuinely motivated by the opportunity to deepen AHSSI’s impact in Astoria.

• Serve as AHSSI’s community representative, cultivating relationships with local residents, donors, alumni, businesses, schools, and civic organizations
• Prepare board meeting agendas, materials, and minutes; facilitate communication among Board Members
• Support board governance and committee coordination
• Consistent with Board direction, lead organizational communications including donor outreach, community announcements, annual reports, and media relations
• Support the expansion of AHSSI’s scholarship program to assist students in their third and fourth years of continuing education
• Lead new fund development efforts, engaging prospective donors and stewarding existing fund holders to grow the organization’s scholarship reach
• Represent AHSSI’s mission and 50‑year legacy as the organization enters a new phase of visibility and growth

• Manage records and documentation for 100+ individual scholarship accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and fidelity to donor intent
• Working with the AHS Administrative and Counseling departments, coordinate the annual scholarship application and interview process; support the board and selection committee
• Organize and coordinate the AHSSI Awards Night event
• Process scholarship disbursements and maintain accurate financial records in coordination with AHSSI’s accountant
• Respond to inquiries from donors, students, applicants, and the public in a timely and professional manner
• Maintain and update organizational systems, databases, and digital platforms, including the AHSSI website
• Support gift acknowledgment and donor recognition processes

We are looking for a mission‑driven leader who brings both professional capability and genuine community commitment.

• Experience in administration, community relations, donor stewardship, or a related field
• Strong organizational and record‑keeping skills; comfortable managing complex, detail‑oriented administrative systems
• Excellent written and verbal…