Foundation Executive Director

Pennsylvania Automotive Association (PAA); Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania Automotive Association Foundation (PAAF) seeks a full-time Executive Director to lead fundraising, donor stewardship, operations, grant administration, trustee engagement, financial oversight and event planning from its Harrisburg, PA office. Travel across Pennsylvania (.ประมาณ 25%) to donor meetings, conferences, and events is required.

The Executive Director will grow the donor base, ensure financial oversight, and collaborate with accounting staff for reporting and

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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual fundraising strategies to grow charitable giving.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors through regular meetings.
• Expand the Foundation's donor base by identifying new prospects.
• Process charitable gifts and donor grant recommendations using Sage and the donor management system.
• Maintain donor records and timely gift acknowledgements.
• Plan and coordinate semiannual Foundation Trustee meetings.
• Administer the PAA Tool Grant Program: review, approve, distribute.
• Plan the annual PAA Tool Grant Golf Outing and Silent Auction.
• Prepare reports, newsletters, and communications.
• Represent the Foundation with trustees, donors, corporate partners and advisors.
• Collaborate with accounting staff for accurate financial reporting and compliance.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor stewardship

Relationship management

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Sage accounting

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.

#LI-Onsite. Onsite work/non-remote.