Chief Executive Officer - Pasadena Community Foundation

WHO WE ARE

At the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF), we are guided by both a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to the well-being of our community. With a deep understanding of our region and the nimbleness to adapt as priorities shift, we respond quickly to Pasadena’s needs in ways that are impactful and meaningful. Our efforts ensure that resources go to strategic local efforts and effective organizations – whether they’re urgent, long-term, or something in between.

PCF is here to support and guide our community, whether that is meeting with a donor’s family, answering local nonprofit questions, or simply being a charitable resource. For us, it is about being reliable, compassionate, and staying focused on the long-term good of Pasadena. With PCF, our donors and partners have a constant philanthropic guide who will help them make a positive impact built to last.

WHAT WE DO

For over 70 years, the Pasadena Community Foundation has served the greater Pasadena area by building strong relationships with donors, offering exceptional stewardship of entrusted funds, and connecting donors to meaningful causes that enrich the community. With nearly $190 million in assets under management, of which two-thirds are endowed, PCF provides diverse giving options and robust support for local nonprofits. Altogether, we manage over 450 funds created by philanthropic individuals, families, and visionary nonprofit agencies.

Our grants and programs make strategic investments to address unmet and emerging community needs across six impact areas: 1) Arts & Culture, 2) Community & Economic Development, 3) Environment & Animal Welfare, 4) Health & Safety, 5) Human Services, and 6) Youth & Education. Since our founding in 1953, we have awarded more than $141 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, and remain dedicated to building a stronger, more vibrant community for Pasadena’s future.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

Donors and nonprofits look to the Pasadena Community Foundation for vision, leadership, and support in proactively addressing Pasadena’s most pressing challenges. As a highly respected organization, we are guided by an engaged and dedicated board of 19 community leaders who share a deep commitment to supporting the greater Pasadena community. Our high-caliber team of 9 staff members is highly connected, working closely with partner organizations to build a stronger community and bring to life the philanthropic vision of its generous donors.

Our culture of community connection and impact drives everything we do, as reflected in statements from respondents to our recent stakeholder engagement survey. In describing their feelings towards PCF and our work, respondents shared:

“PCF is one of the most put-together, professional, and highly attentive teams we’ve met. And we have worked with A LOT of foundations and nonprofits”.

“They have impeccable integrity and flexibility in response to emerging community needs”.

“They have a hands-on approach with clients; I want my clients to come in and talk with them because they are so good”.

Over the past 22 years, under the visionary leadership of CEO Jennifer Fleming DeVoll, PCF has grown both its financial strength and community impact tremendously. Looking to the future, PCF has embarked on a national search ahead of Jennifer’s planned retirement in mid-2025. This recruitment offers a unique opportunity for a new leader to build upon Jennifer’s remarkable legacy, expanding PCF’s impact even further and ensuring that Pasadena thrives for generations to come.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary – $275,000 - $300,000 DOE/Neg.
• 100% paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) with a 15% match
• PTO: 3 weeks of vacation to start, max at 4 weeks, 12 paid holidays, 10-week sabbatical after 10 years of service
• Paid parking space
• Paid dues for Rotary and other work-related networking activities

LOCATION

Based in the heart of Pasadena, PCF is located at 301 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 810, Pasadena, CA 91101.

POSITION SUMMARY

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a significant philanthropic organization. Reporting directly to the Board Chair and working closely with the Board of Directors, the President & CEO will leverage Pasadena Community Foundation’s strong reputation and legacy of success to shape future growth and amplify its impact. With an outstanding team in place, the President & CEO will focus on key strategic areas, including board development, strategic planning, and donor relations. Overseeing an annual operating budget of $2.3M, the President & CEO will lead, mentor, and inspire the PCF team, including four direct reports: CFO/COO, Director of Community Impact, Director of Development (vacant), and Senior Communications Manager.

Strategic priorities for our CEO include:

• Fundraising and development: design and implement innovative philanthropic strategies as we aim to diversify and expand our donor base to support increased grantmaking. The CEO will be the lead fundraiser, devoting more than fifty percent of their time to working diligently to secure significant contributions from all funding sources.
• Community engagement

  strengthen our role as community leaders, ensuring we continue serving as a strategic partner on key community issues, like affordable housing and educational equity, while elevating our ability to bring together key stakeholders.

  
  

• Operational excellence

  identify opportunities to both enhance and streamline our grantmaking and scholarship processes; enabling us to maximize impact while reducing administrative burdens.

  
  

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Leadership – Develop and lead strategic initiatives that will define the future of PCF and significantly enhance our impact. Continue the rollout of PCF’s recently approved strategic plan.
• Philanthropic Leadership – Maintain the position of PCF’s President & CEO as a visionary and influential leader in the community. Stay well-informed about current and emerging trends, and best practices, while also serving as a convener and thought leader to help grow philanthropy in our region.
• Fundraising and Development – Grow assets under management to maximize our impact and effectively address complex challenges in the community. Lead the development and execution of diverse fundraising strategies for PCF, encompassing annual campaigns, individual donor cultivation and stewardship, planned giving, special events, corporate sponsorships, and the engagement of professional financial advisors. The CEO will also build, hire, and train the development team to support the implementation of the fundraising strategies.
• Stewardship – Serve as an influential philanthropic leader for the region, implementing exceptional donor stewardship strategies and ensuring that PCF serves as a trusted advocate for both our donors’ interests and community needs. Skillfully steward both new and existing donor relationships and financial resources.
• Board Partnership – Work in close partnership with the Board of Directors to define and steer the organization's strategic goals. Cultivate an effective working relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and demonstrable performance.
• Community Leadership and Relations – Elevate PCF’s visibility and stature at the local, state, and national levels by maintaining an extremely active presence in the community, attending in-person events, and serving as the chief spokesperson and advocate for the organization. Forge key relationships and partnerships that advance our mission.
• Operational and Organizational Management – Provide inspirational leadership and growth opportunities to the professional staff, while ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization’s programs and activities; promote a collaborative and transparent culture and work environment in which staff are engaged, productive, and thriving.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• Passionate and committed to PCF’s mission to inspire generosity and engage the resources of our community for present needs unfulfilled and future needs unforeseen.
• Attentive, measured, proactive, compassionate, thoughtful, flexible, and present.
• Significant, hands-on fundraising experience across all key sources.
• Executive leadership experience with community foundations or nonprofits preferred.
• Knowledge of investments, donor-advised funds, and planned giving tools is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated senior leadership and management experience, including strategy development, board engagement, change management, team collaboration, and talent development.
• Track record of building effective partnerships with diverse constituencies, including businesses, elected officials, government entities, community-based organizations, and individuals.
• Superb people skills, with exceptionally well-developed listening and communication skills, and the ability to connect with and inspire confidence among a wide range of stakeholders.
• Highly empathetic, exhibiting sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy at all times.
• Demonstrated success in driving organizational growth and creating and implementing innovative programs with a data-driven lens.
• A solid fundamental understanding of fiscal management with experience developing and managing budgets.
• Ability to process and translate complex business regulations, such as IRS rules, to donors and key stakeholders.