Founded in 2007, the San Joaquin Community Foundation has served as a bridge between generous donors, community members, and government and business entities to advance cross‐sector partnerships, mobilize resources, and build a culture of generosity in San Joaquin County. SJCF is committed to building a healthy and prosperous community by promoting and supporting community connectivity. SJCF is one of the largest place‐based philanthropies in San Joaquin County, stewarding more than $40 million in philanthropic assets. In 2023, SJCF granted out more than $4.5 million, most of it supporting local nonprofits to support a range of community needs.
The San Joaquin Community Foundation is dedicated to making philanthropic giving as impactful as possible. We partner with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who share a commitment to improving the quality of life in San Joaquin County. Together, we create lasting charitable funds that empower our region to meet the challenges of a changing world. The Foundation responsibly invests and administers these funds, using the distributions to award numerous grants yearly to the humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations that enrich this remarkable community we call home.
Over the most recent years, the team of SJCF has cultivated a collaborative and supportive culture, grounded in a shared commitment to serving the San Joaquin community through philanthropy. This unity in purpose has encouraged a positive work environment rooted in kindness, strong stewardship of donor resources, and attentive customer service for all stakeholders. The team’s commitment to continuous improvement and understanding each other's roles makes them an integrated, high-functioning team dedicated to achieving meaningful impact for the community.
About San Joaquin County
Nestled in California's Central Valley, San Joaquin County is a stunning region where sprawling farmlands meet scenic Delta waterways and bustling, diverse communities. A powerhouse of agricultural innovation, this county fuels the state's economy and contributes 25% of the U.S. food supply. Home to nearly 800,000 people, San Joaquin boasts two of California's fastest-growing cities, Lathrop and Manteca, along with Stockton—the nation’s most diverse city as of 2020. The county's thriving arts, cuisine, and nonprofit sectors add vibrancy, with one in every 20 jobs in the nonprofit arena.
Strategically positioned as the Central Valley’s northern gateway, San Joaquin serves as a vital link between northern and central California, creating a dynamic growth corridor ideal for business and industry. The Port of Stockton connects the county to the world, with ships traveling 75 nautical miles from the Golden Gate Bridge via the Stockton Channel. Well-developed highways, five major railways, and an airport supporting passenger and freight transport further position San Joaquin as a premier staging and logistics hub within the state. For more about this thriving region, visit the San Joaquin County Area Profile.
Mission
We envision a community where residents' basic needs are met and where we all can truly thrive. The San Joaquin Community Foundation focuses on building and empowering the community through health, family, education, and the economy.
Values
At the San Joaquin Community Foundation, we are committed to the following core values that support our vision, guide our decision making and shape our culture:
• Relationship: We put people first and build relationships across lines of difference.
• Inclusion: We listen to and amplify the needs and ideas of our diverse community.
• Courage: We aren’t afraid to take a stand or try something new when it’s in our community’s best interest.
• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable to our neighbors and those we serve.
Where We Focus
The San Joaquin Community Foundation works to create a community where all members are valued and can thrive:
• Supporting marginalized communities
• Building healthy communities
• Empowering minds
• Inclusive economies
• Thriving families
Impact (2023)
• $41,910,804 in Foundation Assets
• $4,532,306 in Grants Awarded
• 276 Funds
The Opportunity
The San Joaquin Community Foundation (SJCF) is at an exciting crossroads, poised for transformation and seeking an inspiring leader to define its future and broaden its reach. With the Central Valley in the spotlight as a key region that represents the future of California but in need of public, private, and philanthropic resources, the San Joaquin Community Foundation is positioned to make a significant impact in moving the needle for the community, by defining long-term, community-centered strategies. Amid increasing statewide focus on the Central Valley’s future, SJCF is looking for a leader to elevate local perspectives and draw in external resources to advance its mission. This position presents a unique opportunity to influence the philanthropic and economic landscape of San Joaquin County, building a legacy of impactful change and fostering a community poised for lasting growth and success.
The next San Joaquin Community Foundation CEO will be a visionary community leader with a genuine passion for transforming lives and amplifying community impact. This individual will be a fundraiser, adept at driving growth through donor-advised funds, legacy endowments, and high-impact partnerships, with a talent for inspiring high-net-worth donors and community members. Politically savvy and deeply rooted in the needs and dreams of San Joaquin County, this leader will see beyond immediate goals, fostering long-term relationships and building generational assets that leave a lasting legacy. With an unwavering commitment to uplifting the community, this individual will craft and communicate a compelling vision for a more connected, empowered, and thriving region.
Not only will these individuals bring expertise in finance and community foundation work, but they will also inspire trust, catalyze partnerships, and unite diverse stakeholders around shared goals. As the “head cheerleader” for the nonprofit community, this leader will bring people together, spark new ideas, and elevate the organization’s impact to unprecedented heights, all while making every community member feel seen, valued, and invested in the region’s brighter future.
As CEO of the San Joaquin County Foundation, you will have the opportunity to champion sustainable growth and build partnerships that enhance residents' quality of life. Your leadership will support the region's efforts to create more inclusive and robust economic opportunities.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidates will exhibit the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Passion for Mission / Commitment to Community
The Chief Executive Officer will embody an unwavering dedication to the San Joaquin Community Foundation’s mission to foster a thriving community for all. This leader will have a history of driving transformative change and approaching community-building holistically—integrating health, family, education, and economic empowerment to empower residents. This transformative CEO will be a respected advocate, prioritizing resources and opportunities for marginalized groups to promote lasting, inclusive growth. Resilient and deeply mission-driven, this individual will lead the foundation and the wider community in defining high-impact initiatives that open pathways to success for all, fully aligned with the foundation’s vision of a flourishing community.
Innovative and Strategic Leadership
The Chief Executive Officer will provide dynamic and forward-thinking leadership, shaping a clear path for the foundation’s growth and enduring impact. With expertise in strategic planning, this leader will work closely with the Board, staff, and stakeholders to implement a thoughtful strategy that embraces new funding opportunities while ensuring fiscal health. This CEO will balance growth with sustainable practices, supporting programs, grantmaking, and local philanthropists to establish endowments that will benefit the community and the foundation well into the future. Adaptable and progressive, this leader will pursue innovative ideas and bold directions, fostering partnerships that enhance nonprofit impact across the region. This leader will embrace a culture of learning, curiosity, and transparency.
Relationship Builder & Convener
An inspiring connector, this leader will excel in building consensus and forming strategic partnerships with nonprofits, foundations, government and community leaders, educational institutions, and businesses. With a profound commitment to elevating community voices, the CEO will foster collaborative efforts toward shared goals. Through authentic relationships with funders, organizations, and community members, this leader will exemplify the foundation's dedication to impactful, mutually supportive partnerships. The CEO will champion an asset-based perspective with a clear vision of how the Foundation can empower the community to thrive.
Fundraising Expertise
A skilled and dedicated fundraiser, the ideal candidate will attract new donors, including emerging generations of philanthropists, and deepen donor engagement through collaboration. This CEO will have a robust understanding of public funding, leveraging federal and state grants effectively. With a strategic focus on sustainable, long-term community investments, this leader will build major and planned gift programs, cultivating relationships that amplify the foundation’s impact. By positioning the foundation as a trusted leader and funding partner, the CEO will enhance its role within the county and beyond.
Communications and External Relations Skills
As the Foundation’s principal ambassador, the CEO will be an inspiring communicator and public advocate, crafting and conveying a compelling narrative about the Foundation’s community impact. Skilled in adapting communication styles to engage diverse audiences, this leader will be an active, visible force in the community. Through authentic advocacy, the CEO will address pressing issues proactively, inspiring donors and stakeholders. With a cross-sector approach, this leader will contribute to community-wide planning, bridging policy and practice to meet community needs with skill in navigating diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration.
Financial Savvy & Operational Excellence
The Chief Executive Officer will bring exceptional financial insight and resource management, upholding a commitment to operational excellence and prudent stewardship of funds. Building on a track record of success, this leader will implement performance metrics, scorecards, and accountability measures that foster continuous improvement. With a collaborative approach, the CEO will support process enhancements that recognize and leverage team strengths and stakeholder feedback. Possessing sharp analytical skills, the CEO will assess and communicate program impact with clarity, ensuring transparency and alignment with nonprofit best practices.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $180,000 - $220,000 with a generous benefits package.
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Michelle Bonoan and Medelene Beasley of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. Express interest in this role online or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
San Joaquin Community Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
