General Counsel

California Community Foundation; United States; On-site; USD 210,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

California Community Foundation seeks a General Counsel to serve as its chief legal officer and primary internal advisor to the President & CEO and Executive Leadership.

The GC will provide legal guidance and strategic oversight to advance the foundation’s charitable mission, support enterprise risk management and crisis response, and help shape organization-wide strategy while ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance and strategic oversight to advance the organization’s charitable mission and manage enterprise risk and crisis response.
• Oversee charitable gift and fund agreements, governance, regulatory and tax-exempt compliance, contracts/leases, real estate and impact-investment transactions, data privacy and records governance, and litigation oversight.
• Support board governance responsibilities, including serving as Assistant Board Secretary and preparing corporate records and filings.

Job description

The client is seeking a General Counsel to serve as its chief legal officer and primary internal legal advisor to the President & CEO and Executive Leadership. The General Counsel will provide legal guidance and strategic oversight to advance the organization’s charitable mission, support enterprise risk management and crisis response, and help shape organization-wide strategy while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

This broad role will oversee the legal and contractual infrastructure needed for a large community-focused foundation, including charitable gift and fund agreements, corporate governance, regulatory and tax-exempt compliance, contracts and leases, affiliate agreements, real estate and impact-investment transactions, risk management and insurance, data privacy and records governance, and litigation oversight. The General Counsel will strengthen legal practices and systems, supervise the Corporate Paralegal, and engage specialized outside counsel as needed, providing clear communication of complex legal issues and practical paths forward based on contextual risk assessment.

The General Counsel will also support board governance responsibilities, including serving as Assistant Board Secretary appointed by the President & CEO. Responsibilities include preparing and maintaining accurate corporate records such as board and committee minutes, resolutions, bylaws, articles of incorporation, committee charters, and organizational policies; ensuring timely corporate filings and registrations; administering the annual conflict-of-interest disclosure process; and advising directors and officers on fiduciary duties and governance best practices, while collaborating with independent legal counsel as appropriate for board-related matters.