President (WFC)

Woods Fund Chicago, a bold grantmaking foundation, seeks candidates for the position of president. The president manages $65 million in assets and leads the foundation to support community organizing and public policy advocacy that advances racial equity and economic justice.

Woods Fund seeks to help create a society where people of all racial and ethnic groups across all levels of social and economic status are empowered and have a voice to influence policies that impact their lives and where all communities are free of poverty and racism.

Woods Fund is a grantmaking foundation committed to the promotion of social, economic, and racial justice through the support of community organizing and public policy advocacy that engages people that are most impacted.

Woods Fund leverages grants and thought leadership to grow opportunities for people most impacted by structural racism and economic injustice. As a funding partner and collaborator with nonprofit organizations, policy groups, and civic organizations, the foundation advances racial equity and economic justice through the support of community organizing and public policy advocacy. Woods Fund believes in the value of shared learning—with grantees, partnering organizations and others—who are committed to the vision of Woods Fund Chicago.

Staff and members of the board of directors engage in an ongoing process of planning, reflection, and refinement.

The president will oversee the business and operations of Woods Fund. The president serves as an officer of the foundation’s board of directors and is charged with upholding and executing the foundation’s mission, working closely with directors, staff, grantees, and community stakeholders.

Specifically, the president is responsible for the following:

• Develop, present, and manage the implementation of strategic plans to advance the interest of Woods Fund Chicago;
• Advise and support the board and its committees regarding financial, programmatic, and governance issues;
• Establish and direct implementation of organizational plans, policies, and procedures;
• Develop, maintain, update, and enforce operational and personnel policies;
• Supervise professional staff and maintain equitable and progressive practices and policies to attract and retain talent;
• Oversee professional development; and
• Lead and inspire staff, encouraging creativity, initiative, and collaboration.

• Ensure the Fund’s compliance with local, state, and federal laws;
• Support the Fund’s goals and objectives in asset development;
• Oversee financial management, investment strategies (ensuring the continued incorporation of racial equity in investments), and report quarterly on the status of investments to the board; and
• Develop, present, and manage the Fund’s annual budget.

• Communicate effectively with grantees and members of the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors;
• Leverage philanthropic resources through the development of partnerships and collaborations;
• Build awareness and visibility around community organizing and public policy advocacy issues;
• Develop a communications strategy to advance clear, compelling and consistent messages across all communication platforms – print, radio/TV, social media, and direct outreach;
• Serve as an articulate and knowledgeable spokesperson for the foundation with confidence and savvy;
• Solicit input and ideas from a broad cross-section of partnering organizations, elected officials, agencies, other funders and stakeholders;
• Build and maintain relationships with a variety of community constituencies that share Woods Fund Chicago’s mission, vision, and values;
• Coalesce and lead external collaborations; and
• Serve as a high-value thought leader of the philanthropic sector.

• Oversee staff in the solicitation, review and recommendation of proposals submitted to the Fund;
• Stay current on issues affecting communities most impacted by structural racism and economic injustice and seek opportunities to advance Woods Fund interests through effective leadership,…