Organization: Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
Position: President
The Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation (“Noyes”) is a private family foundation established in 1947 by Charles F. Noyes as a memorial to his wife, Jessie Smith Noyes. Noyes’ mission is to support grassroots organizations and movements in the United States working to change environmental, social, economic and political conditions to bring about a more just, equitable and sustainable world.
We envision a socially just and environmentally sustainable society in which all people are able to gain the knowledge and build the power they need to exercise their rights and participate fully in the economic, social and political decisions that affect their lives and communities.
Noyes’ current Funding Priorities are Environmental Justice, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Reproductive Rights, and an Environmentally Sustainable New York City. Noyes makes a particular effort to include in its funding portfolio a significant percentage of organizations led by people of color.
Values
Noyes is a diverse and inclusive organization working for a more equitable society. We consistently challenge structural racism, gender inequality, and discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, economic status, physical ability, gender, immigration and immigration status. We seek to open channels of opportunities for those who are systemically denied.
We believe that people, not corporations, have inalienable rights. Noyes builds the power of people — those most impacted and those who have been marginalized — to be actively involved in advancing solutions to the problems they face.
We believe in an environmentally just earth in which all species have the right to co-exist.
Theory of Change
We understand that social change occurs over a period of time through a combination of strategies, forces and events — small and large, planned and unplanned.
We recognize the special role of diverse, inclusive and democratically controlled grassroots movements, predominately made up of those directly impacted. The people and organizations in social movements collectively develop a vision of and paths towards lasting change. They are the best advocates to build public support and community understanding.
We believe that grassroots movements are among the strongest forces in our society to hold public policy makers and private corporations accountable.
For more information on Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation please visit noyes.org.
The new President will be a committed, charismatic, and visionary leader responsible for Noyes’ consistent achievement of its mission, programs, outcomes, administration, and financial objectives. This is an exciting opportunity for a thoughtful and experienced nonprofit leader to build on 70 years of social change work to achieve deeper impact and sophisticated growth in creating a more equitable society.
This exciting stage in Noyes’ trajectory provides a unique, entrepreneurial opportunity for a dynamic leader to join a small but mighty team as Noyes’ President. This motivated and ambitious leader will shape and enhance Noyes’ grantmaking and impact investing strategy, help to build Board capacity, and seize near- and long-term opportunities for increasing organizational visibility, for increased impact in the field of social justice.
Position Summary
The President will work closely with the Board of Directors to achieve Noyes’ strategic objectives and fulfill its mission. In partnership with the Board, the President will define Noyes’ theory of change; this will help to identify the right organizational model that establishes the necessary operational efficiencies, staffing, and governance structures to best balance impact with sustainability. The President will also ensure that the organization has short- and long-range strategies to achieve its mission and goals with consistent, realistic, and timely progress and a fiscally responsible business plan.
This professional will cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board of Directors and ensure open communication about the measurements of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against Noyes’ milestones and goals. This leader will help to build Board capacity and serve as an advisor on best governance practices.
The President will also be responsible for leadership and overall management of Noyes. This individual will oversee the day-to-day operation of Noyes, including all grant-making and impact investing efforts and the foundation staff. The President will represent Noyes in the philanthropic community, be an ambassador on behalf of the Board and staff, and help forge new partnerships to amplify Noyes’ visibility and impact.
The duties and responsibilities of the President will include, but will not be limited to:
The President will be highly-energetic and passionate, with a track record of achievement in previous leadership roles in small to midsized foundations. This individual will have a deep commitment to social justice with established networks and relationships in the field, experience with movement leadership and movement building, and demonstrated business acumen. A seasoned manager, the ideal candidate will have experience leading effective, high-performing teams and will be able to execute on strategy through active collaboration. This individual also will have an entrepreneurial outlook and the willingness to roll up their sleeves to get things done and see Noyes’ strategic objectives through.
The President will have solid experience developing and monitoring annual budgets and providing overall management of a foundation’s fiscal operations, including ensuring compliance with legal requirements and financial standards and overseeing all reporting. This individual will be familiar with the rules and regulations for foundations, including IRS guidelines. This financially savvy leader will have a thorough understanding of impact investing and will be comfortable guiding and expanding Noyes’ efforts to utilize this method of creating social change.
With an authentic belief in Noyes’ mission and a strong connection to the organization’s vision for an equitable society, this leader will be persuasive and inspiring in representing the organization to stakeholders of all types. The President will be a strong and natural relationship- and coalition-builder, skilled at influencing and effecting social change beyond grantmaking.
The President will be able to work seamlessly in partnership with the Board of Directors, composed of family members and non-family members. A track record of success with Board relations and a desire to actively engage Board members in guiding Noyes is imperative.
The President will be a proven leader with exceptional interpersonal skills. This individual will embrace Noyes’ culture and serve as an accessible leader. The President will value transparency and fairness and will demonstrate an open and caring attitude towards working with others.
Ideal candidates will have the following personal competencies and characteristics:
Strategic and Visionary Leadership: The President must be a strategic leader and visionary thinker who will have the drive and passion to continue to develop new and unique opportunities to serve the mission of Noyes. Experienced and successful at navigating change in an inclusive and comprehensive manner, this leader will formulate and translate ideas into actionable plans with effective planning and measurable results. The President will have proven and successful experience in program leadership, personnel and budget management, and external relations. A confident and experienced leader, the President will offer creative ideas to adapt, strengthen, and diversify (when appropriate) Noyes’ programs and partnerships to address the changing needs of the grassroots organizations and communities that Noyes serves, and the partnerships that are core to its operations.
Change Management and Business Acumen: The President will be a hands-on manager with a track record of success in transformational organizational development and management. The President will establish an inclusive team environment and will establish priorities, set goals, and maintain timelines to achieve quantifiable and qualitative outcomes and will be nimble in achieving these outcomes with a lean team. This leader will understand and implement best-in-class nonprofit management practices, ensuring that overall day-to-day operations are streamlined and aligned with strategic goals. The President will ensure fiduciary responsibility and sound financial management practices and accountability are maintained across the organization.
Board Relations: The President will actively work with the Board to build the next phase of Noyes. This individual will have the confidence and expertise needed to make recommendations to the Board regarding the direction of the programs, operating policies, and grants. The President will keep the Board advised of the activities and financial position of Noyes, provide the Board sufficient and high-quality information for making sound policy decisions, and act as a liaison between staff and Board. This individual will help Board members build their governance capacity by providing educational opportunities, such as speakers and site visits.
Exceptional Communication; Collaboration and Relationship-Building: The President will be an engaged and active listener and a skilled collaborator, and will endeavor to connect, build bridges, and sustain excellent relationships with existing and potential partners, government officials, and other social justice funders to help enhance Noyes’ impact. The President will be an excellent communicator with all stakeholders, including grantees, policy leaders, staff, and community leaders.
The President will be an inclusive leader who builds and supports a culture of collaboration among the Board and staff. This individual will be consultative, promoting open dialogue with the staff and Board to identify best practices, and proactive in addressing the impacts of change. The President will be a steady and mature leader who embodies humility, wisdom, and strength of character.
Passion for the Mission and Vision: The President will have a passion for the mission and will be culturally sensitive, with a clear vision and genuine commitment to the organizations and communities served. Driven by a desire to bring about a more just, equitable, and sustainable world, the President will have a clear and informed understanding of the complex issues around social justice and a demonstrated career commitment to Noyes’ values. With a high level of emotional intelligence, the next President will work closely with the Board to achieve the greatest possible impact in Noyes’ areas of focus. The President will embody the values of Noyes and will inspire and motivate others.
Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this hire. This search is being led by Michelle Bonoan and Shavon Bell. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume here, or email Michelle and Shavon at the following:
Michelle R.S. Bonoan
Managing Director
mbonoan@koyapartners.com
Shavon Bell
Principal
sbell@koyapartners.com
Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or status as a veteran. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, abilities and business needs.
Koya Leadership Partners is a national retained executive search and human capital-consulting firm that works exclusively with nonprofits and social enterprises. We deliver measurable results, finding exceptionally talented people who truly fit the unique culture of our client organizations and ensuring that organizations have the resources and strategies to support them. For more information about Koya Leadership Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.
