Executive Director

Grantmakers for Education (“EdFunders”), the premier membership organization for supporters and funders of K-12 and postsecondary education, seeks a strategic and mission-driven leader to serve as its next Executive Director. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, EdFunders is a fully remote organization proudly representing thousands of grantmakers who believe in the transformative nature of education and are bringing bold thinking to philanthropy in all education sectors. The organization serves as a resource to the grantmaking community and advocates on behalf of its members and communities. 

For more than thirty years, EdFunders has led philanthropy in convening public and private education funders to effectively connect them with each other. Through its highly attended annual conference, EdFunders provides a space for members to collaborate, innovate, and advance the fields of education and philanthropy. The next Executive Director will join EdFunders during a time of great opportunity for the organization. The organization is focused on providing crucial services, information resources, and programming to help members with their grantmaking. EdFunder’s strong and demonstrated commitment to its members has made it a well-respected source of leadership in the educational and philanthropic communities. The Executive Director will continue efforts to strengthen philanthropy’s role in improving educational outcomes nationwide.   

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall operations of EdFunders, which includes a $3,000,000 annual budget and nine staff members. Key responsibilities for the new leader include working in partnership with the governance Board; modeling a collaborative leadership style that supports diversity and professional development; supporting a motivated professional team; sustainably and responsibly growing EdFunders’ membership; managing and deepening relationships with member organizations; developing financial policies that anticipate membership trends and increase available resources; and encouraging open and spirited dialogue about the future of education philanthropy and the organization’s relevant role in this space. The Executive Director must work in close concert with a diverse group of stakeholders to ensure EdFunders remains a force for connecting philanthropy and education professionals, advancing education as a public good, and achieving racial equity in our communities.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be submitted below. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged. 

Karen Avery is leading this search with Shalini Uppu.

Grantmakers for Education is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented applicants. Our organization acknowledges that not everyone experiences the same barriers to success in the workplace, and we are committed to supporting the advancement of people of color in the workplace.