Executive Director, Education Access & Donor Impact

FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Foundation For The Carolinas seeks an Executive Director for the Greater Steps Scholars Scholarship Fund to lead educational access and economic mobility initiatives in the Charlotte region. The role serves as the program’s chief ambassador, cultivating donors, corporate partners, educational institutions, alumni, volunteers, and community leaders while ensuring stewardship of scholarship resources.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, fundraising, board relations, scholarship

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive nonprofit leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success raising significant philanthropic revenue.
• Knowledge of charitable giving and donor stewardship.
• Experience managing fundraising events.
• Experience working with advisory boards.
• Ability to work effectively with donors, Inlivian families, educational partners, Inlivian and FFTC staff, and volunteer boards and committees
• Strong public speaking and communication skills.
• Ability to work with confidential and sensitive data.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within group settings.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage organizational change.
• Excellent computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic plan that advances the Greater Steps Scholar’s mission and vision.
• Identify opportunities for program growth and innovation.
• Monitor trends in higher education, workforce development, and scholarship administration.
• Develop and execute an annual fundraising strategy.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors.
• Secure corporate sponsorships and foundation grants.
• Identify new revenue opportunities.
• Lead fundraising events and donor engagement initiatives.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals established by the Board.
• Maintain timely and accurate client and prospect records in RM software.
• Develop, write and disseminate donor correspondence.
• Oversee the design, production and distribution of marketing materials.
• Partner closely with the Greater Steps Scholars Advisory Board.
• Prepare board agendas, reports, and strategic recommendations.
• Support Greater Steps Scholars Selection Committee.
• Recruit and engage volunteers.
• Maintain strong governance practices.
• Ensure an equitable, transparent scholarship selection processes.
• Oversee scholar recruitment and engagement in partnership with Inlivian.
• Strengthen alumni engagement.
• Develop scholar leadership opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with all scholarship policies and donor intent.
• Serve as the public face of Greater Steps Scholars.
• Represent Greater Steps and Foundation for the Carolinas at community events.
• Build partnerships with schools, colleges, nonprofits, corporations, and civic organizations.
• Promote Greater Steps Scholars impact through speaking engagements and media opportunities.
• Develop and manage the annual operating budget.
• Ensure sound fiscal stewardship.
• Track fundraising, scholarship outcomes, scholars’ success, and donor engagement.
• Produce annual impact report and present organizational performance to the Advisory Board and stakeholders.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor stewardship

Public speaking

Nonprofit leadership

Advisory boards

Team leadership

Data privacy

Communication skills

CRM platforms

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Foundation For The Carolinas seeks an Executive Director for the Greater Steps Scholars Scholarship Fund to lead educational access and economic mobility initiatives in the Charlotte region. The role serves as the program’s chief ambassador, cultivating donors, corporate partners, educational institutions, alumni, volunteers, and community leaders while ensuring stewardship of scholarship resources.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, fundraising, board relations, scholarship