Executive Director

The William

A. Harrison Jr. Foundation is accepting applications for an Executive Director opening. The Foundation is a Virginia-based animal welfare organization working to raise funds and awareness to keep animals with their families, strengthen smaller animal welfare nonprofits and build a sustainable, reliable hub that unites the animal welfare community. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced nonprofit leader with a passion for animal welfare and community engagement.

About the organization:

Founded in 2022, the William

A. Harrison Jr. Foundation is a Richmond-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit committed to addressing the unmet needs of animals and their owners throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Since its founding, WAHJF has awarded almost $500,000 to Virginia animal nonprofits, is presently distributing 10,000 pounds of free pet food monthly, and has supported the spay/neuter of over 1,100 cats and dogs.

WAHJF operates Furbish Thrift, Richmond’s first retail thrift store dedicated to supporting animal welfare, along with a portfolio of mission programs including grant making, a community pet food pantry, spay/neuter access support and the Mark W. Burkett Scholarship fund for aspiring veterinary technicians.

About the position:

WAHJF’s founder and CEO, Bill Harrison, has served as the organization’s CEO and plans to transition fully out of the day-to-day operations by January 2028. The incoming Executive Director will assume the organizational leadership, fundraising and external relations responsibilities that Bill has held, working with him during an extended transition period to ensure continuity of donor relationships, community partnerships and institutional knowledge.

The Board of Directors, which is also being strengthened during this period, will remain involved during this transition.

As the Executive Director, you will serve as the chief leader and manager for the William

A. Harrison Jr. Foundation. You will oversee daily operations, financial health, talent recruitment for board and skilled committees, and supporting organization-wide fundraising and grant-making. You will provide strategic vision and operational expertise to drive the nonprofit’s growth and mission impact for animal welfare across Virginia.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Playing an active leadership role in the design, implementation, and day-to-day guidance of fundraising strategies, including annual campaigns, major gifts, grants, sponsor ships, donor stewardship, and event planning, collaborating with the Board, Committee Chairs, staff, and volunteers.
• Working with the Financial Development Chair, designing and executing the organization’s annual fundraising and development plan, including identifying new funding sources, cultivating individual, corporate, and foundation relationships, and managing grant proposals and reporting.
• Planning, organizing, and leading fundraising events (virtual and in-person), working collaboratively with staff and volunteers to increase donor engagement and public awareness of our mission.
• Building and maintaining relationships with donors, sponsors, supporters, and community members—creating and executing donor stewardship and recognition strategies.
• Maintaining strong relationships with donors, community partners, service providers, and national stakeholders to expand organizational reach and impact.

• Supporting and assisting Program Committee Chairs in identifying and implementing key programmatic activities such as Big Fix, Adoption Days, and outreach events.
• Supporting committee chairs in recruiting and leading a team of volunteers for program events.
• Representing the Foundation through speaking…