Executive Director

Executive Director @ Children’s Guardian Fund Position Executive Director Organization

Children’s Guardian Fund

None provided

Full-time

5 year(s)

$90,000.00 -

$

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. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. CGF is an equal opportunity employer.

Title Executive Director

Reports to Board of Directors (via Board Chair)

Status Full-time, exempt — Sarasota, FL, with regional travel

Service area DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties, Florida

Children’s Guardian Fund (CGF) is a Sarasota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving children and young adults impacted by the foster care system across DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. CGF’s programs include Guardian ad Litem volunteer support, academic tutoring, birthday and holiday gifts, emergency essentials, a laptop and device donation drive, summer camp and enrichment funding, and the Next Step program for young adults aging out of foster care.

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.

• 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‑adapted succession plan and ensure compliance with bylaws and governance policies.
• 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, sponsor ships, 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.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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,…