Foundation Executive Director

PAA - Pennsylvania Automotive Association; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania Automotive Association Foundation seeks a full-time Executive Director to lead fundraising, donor stewardship, operations and governance from its Harrisburg office, with travel across Pennsylvania.

The role combines strategic leadership with major gifts and board relations to grow the Foundation’s impact. Strong communication and nonprofit philanthropy experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Five or more years of nonprofit fundraising, development, philanthropy, or relationship management experience.
• Knowledge of accounting and finance basic procedures.
• Proven success cultivating and securing major gifts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Sage and donor management software preferred.
• Willingness to travel throughout Pennsylvania.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual fundraising strategies to grow charitable giving.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors through regular meetings and relationship management.
• Expand the Foundation’s donor base by identifying and engaging new prospects.
• Process charitable gifts and donor grant recommendations using Sage accounting software and the Foundation’s donor management system.
• Maintain accurate donor records and ensure timely gift acknowledgements.
• Plan and coordinate semiannual Foundation Trustee meetings, including agendas, reports, presentations, and logistics.
• Prepare reports, newsletters, marketing materials, and communications.
• Represent the Foundation with trustees, donors, corporate partners, and professional advisors.
• Collaborate with accounting staff to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor stewardship

Relationship management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Sage

Donor management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Position

The Pennsylvania Automotive Association Foundation (PAAF) seeks a full-time Executive Director to join our team. This position is based at our office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and requires approximately 25% travel across Pennsylvania, including donor meetings, conferences, and events.

About PAAF

In 2003, the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Automotive Association had the vision to create a charitable organization that would serve the philanthropic needs of its more than 1,000 franchised members. Since inception, PAAF has grown to include 130 established donor-advised accounts. In 2025, almost $14 million was donated through the PAAF to over 900 charities.

Position Summary

The Executive Director of the PAAF is responsible for fundraising, donor stewardship, operations, grant administration, trustee engagement, financial oversight and event planning. This position combines executive leadership, major gift fundraising, donor stewardship, nonprofit operations, event management, grant administration, and board relations. The successful candidate will play a critical role in continuing to develop strategies to grow the Foundation’s donor base, while ensuring exceptional service and providing due diligence of Foundation assets.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual fundraising strategies to grow charitable giving.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors through regular meetings and relationship management.
• Expand the Foundation’s donor base by identifying and engaging new prospects.
• Process charitable gifts and donor grant recommendations using Sage accounting software and the Foundation’s proprietary donor management system.
• Maintain accurate donor records and ensure timely gift acknowledgements.
• Plan and coordinate semiannual Foundation Trustee meetings, including agendas, reports, presentations, and meeting logistics.
• Administer the PAA Tool Grant Program, including application review, approval, and distribution.
• Plan and execute the annual PAA Tool Grant Golf Outing and Silent Auction.
• Prepare reports, newsletters, marketing materials, and communications.
• Represent the Foundation with trustees, donors and prospective donors, corporate partners, and professional advisors.
• Collaborate with accounting staff to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Five or more years of nonprofit fundraising, development, philanthropy, or relationship management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of accounting and finance basic procedures.
• Proven success cultivating and securing major gifts.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Experience planning meetings and fundraising events.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Sage and donor management software preferred.
• Willingness to travel throughout Pennsylvania.

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

• Onsite work/non-remote.