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Executive Director, Technology Association of Grantmakers

The Organization

ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF GRANTMAKERS

Founded in 2006, the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG) supports a global community, conducts groundbreaking research, and is an advocate for investment in tech infrastructure throughout the charitable sector.

For 17 years, TAG has been a trusted institution and the voice of technology in the philanthropic sector.

TAG is an innovative 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization with an increasingly global membership and a legacy of ground-breaking work. Founded in 2006, TAG cultivates the strategic, equitable, and innovative use of technology in philanthropy for a network of nearly 5000 professionals from over 300 member organizations. With a budget of 1.8M and a dedicated staff of 4, TAG works to build knowledge, strengthen networks, and advance the social sector in North America, the EU, and the UK.

TAG is known as the premiere voice for the role of technology in philanthropy thanks to hallmark initiatives such as the following:

The Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI):  Designed to help cultivate the next generation of leaders in the philanthropic technology field, what began in 2016 as a mentoring program has become the premiere leadership development program for technology and operations leaders in philanthropy.

The State of Philanthropy Tech survey:  As the only technology survey in philanthropy, the State of Philanthropy Tech survey was launched in 2018 and is used by organizations worldwide to better understand the technology needs and challenges of the philanthropic sector.

Unique Research on Commonality in Grant Applications:  In 2021, TAG conducted a series of data analyses on over 130 funder-provided grant applications to determine that 39% of all questions are duplicative between funders. Subsequently, TAG analyzed these shared form fields resulting in thirteen groups of common questions considered a baseline “common application.” Learn more at https://www.tagtech.org/news/586811/TAG-Publishes-List-of-Common-Grant-Fields-from-FixtheForm-Analysis-.htm.

Equity Essentials for Philanthropy Tech:  Launched in 2022, this first-of-its-kind six-month learning and support series was funded by a grant from the Kresge Foundation and designed with tech teams in mind, recognizing the often pivotal role that technology systems and staff play in advancing equity. Learn more at https://www.tagtech.org/page/equityessentials.

Trust-Based Grants Management Systems:  After a sector wide listening tour with grants management providers, in 2023 TAG published “Enabling Trust-Based Practices: 4 Tips for Grants Management Systems” to provide a set of concrete features, integrations, and accessibility standards to advance equity and trust. Learn more at https://www.tagtech.org/page/trustbasedphilanthropy.

A Trusted Source of Knowledge:  Over the past six years alone, TAG has conducted over 200 learning sessions and authored over 20 publications on topics such as data and tech infrastructure for impact, funding nonprofit tech, cybersecurity essentials, managing tech, customer experience, taskforce on digital infrastructure, IT strategy, and community foundation systems integration.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG) cultivates the strategic, equitable, and innovative use of technology in philanthropy. Their work builds knowledge, strengthens networks, and advances the social sector. Under the leadership of Chantal Forster, TAG has built robust partnerships, networks, programming and resources, and a committed membership community that cares deeply about the intersection of tech and philanthropy.

As it embarks on its next organizational chapter, TAG seeks interest and nominations for the role of Executive Director. This next leader will:

  • Continue to guide and strengthen the strong community TAG has created in the philanthropic tech environment, looking for ways to amplify and make room for ideas and innovations to arise from its membership base;
  • Seek new partnerships and opportunities for TAG to lean into as it continues to offer programs, content, and tools to tech practitioners who are looking to grow and learn; and
  • Be a thought leader and visionary in the philanthropic tech space, offering ideas, analysis, and solutions for how technology can be harnessed in the ever-evolving world of philanthropy.

OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Technology Association of Grantmakers is seeking a leader who will deepen, evolve, and amplify the work and partnerships it has embarked on these past few years.

The Executive Director will have a unique opportunity to provide strategic leadership and make a lasting impact. Working closely with the Board of Directors and TAG’s dedicated staff, the Executive Director will establish and implement long-range goals, strategies, plans, programs, and policies that drives its future success and further spotlights TAG’s work, innovation and impact throughout the sector.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Be the liaison between the organization and reporting to the Board of Directors, fostering open communication and transparency about the conditions, operations, and needs of the organization.
  • Draft, present, and recommend organizational strategies, policies and programs to the Board, shaping the direction of the organization.
  • Establish credibility as an effective problem-solver, developing innovative solutions to organizational challenges and gaining the trust of the Board, Staff, and all other stakeholders.
  • Provide leadership and actively participate in fundraising efforts, driving the planning and execution of fundraising initiatives for short and long-term fund development.
  • Motivate and lead a high-performance team, attracting, recruiting, and retaining top talent and contractors who share TAG’s vision and values.
  • Foster a psychologically safe, outcomes-oriented, and accountable environment within the organization, promoting collaboration, growth, and excellence.
  • Represent the organization with funders and constituents, building strong relationships and creating opportunities for partnerships and support.
  • Act as the face and voice of the organization in settings large and small, virtual and in person, including events, conferences, and with the media.
  • Forge effective partnerships with other organizations and leaders, amplifying TAG’s collective impact and advancing its shared goals.
  • Be recognized as a trusted thought leader within the philanthropic sector, providing valuable insights and shaping the future of philanthropy.

Management and Administration

  • Lead and manage the organization on a day-to-day basis, aligning with TAG’s mission and core values set by the Board.
  • Oversee membership cultivation, ensuring a thriving and engaged community.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain an organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion program, demonstrating TAG’s commitment to advancing DEI within the philanthropic sector.
  • Facilitate the development of the annual budget and operating plan, ensuring financial sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and responsible resource allocation.
  • Facilitate periodic audits and compliance activities, ensuring adherence to regulations and best practices.
  • Develop and implement risk management strategies, monitoring and reporting on risks regularly to the board and ensuring compliance in all areas.
  • Oversee the effective use of financial and technological resources, leveraging them to achieve TAG’s objectives.
  • Participate in fundraising initiatives, including proposal and report writing, to secure vital support from foundations, corporations, and individuals.
  • Identify and pilot innovative strategies to generate flexible and sustained resources, exploring new sources of revenue for the organization.
  • Lead overall program operations, reviewing and evaluating the results of programmatic activities and ensuring the fulfillment of contractual obligations.
  • Develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure, optimizing systems, processes, and personnel to support TAG’s objectives.
  • Facilitate regular staff meetings, fostering collaboration and ensuring effective communication with Directors, team members, and consultants.
  • Support and direct public relations activities, building and maintaining relationships with other organizations and the public.
  • Perform other related duties as needed, contributing to the overall success of the organization.

DESIRED LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

By serving TAG member organizations, partners, and team members, our ideal Executive Director believes that they are creating a positive impact in the sector.

Embodies Servant Leadership:  Believes that by serving TAG member organizations, partners, and team members, they are creating a positive impact in the philanthropic sector. Committed to creating a culture of trust, openness, and respect; encourages feedback and participation from members, volunteers, and staff; possesses humility, authenticity, and a “roll up your sleeves” work ethic.

Navigates Ambiguity and Complexity:  Can solve tough and complex problems in ambiguous circumstances; great at gleaning meaning from whatever data is available; is a quick study of the new and different; able to make sound decisions with imperfect information; uses multiple problem-solving tools and techniques.

Generates Possibility:  Is able to come up with breakthrough ideas, solutions, and programs; is an effective strategist; can manage innovation and calculated risk; can both create and bring exciting ideas to the sector.

Builds High-Performance Teams:  Leads and manages people well, particularly in a remote setting; builds a culture of trust that will bring the best out of their teammates; creates a work environment that is conducive to collaboration, communication, and continuous learning; sets and communicates guiding goals; develops project management skills; holds people accountable; and provides sensitive and effective coaching.

Possesses Organizationally Savvy:  Maneuvers well to get things done; is politically aware and agile; is discreet, trustworthy and engenders confidence while remaining open and welcoming to all; is seen as fair, impartial and not overly influenced by individual interests; standard-bearer for what is best for the association and the sector.

Communicates Effectively:  Writes and presents effectively within a technical context; adjusts communications and interaction to fit the audience and the message; presents views and arguments well; clearly gets a message across with humility and insight.

Cultivating and Managing Diverse Relationships:  Relates well to a wide variety of diverse styles, and types; open to differences; builds diverse networks; quick to find common ground; treats differences fairly and equitably; treats everyone as an equal.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

  • A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent; a Master’s degree is preferred.
  • At least five to ten years of nonprofit administration and/or related experience in the nonprofit sector required with supervisory, leadership, and fundraising experience preferred.
  • Prior work experience involving nonprofit technology leadership, though technology experience in other sectors is welcome.
  • A proven ability to work comfortably as well as successfully with the various categories of stakeholders who look to TAG for leadership, inspiration, and support for achieving their goals, including social sector practitioners, providers, and peers.
  • Demonstrated intellectual depth, vigor, and skill with fully and accurately communicating the aspirations, needs, and achievements of an increasingly global organization to a wide range of internal and external constituencies.
  • A broad network of relationships in the social sector, including private, family, and community foundations, peer philanthropic-serving organizations, and vendors who support the work of TAG members.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
  • An innovative and visionary approach to both leadership and the content areas important to TAG’s stakeholders.
  • Exceptional communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to lead with kindness and clarity in a high-paced and at times, stressful environment.
  • Highly proficient with virtual workplace and management tools such as Office365, Slack, Zoom, Asana, and Quickbooks.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

TAG offers competitive wages and benefits, including health insurance (including dental and vision coverage) life insurance, a 401k retirement plan with employer match of up to 5%, and other work/life benefits. The salary range for this position is between $225,000 – $250,000. This is a fully remote position, based in the U.S. Some travel is required but is not expected to exceed 10% of the time.

How To Apply

This search is being led by Emily Wexler and Rachel Burgoyne of NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website. More information about TAG may be found at: www.tagtech.org.

The Technology Association of Grantmakers is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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