Leadon Family Foundation | Remote, Independent Contractor
About the Leadon Family Foundation
The Leadon Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on youth entrepreneurship, startup innovation, and collaborative philanthropy. We provide grants, interest-free loans, and mentorship to emerging entrepreneurs — especially individuals ages 13 to 25 — who are building socially impactful ventures. Through application-based programs, we support startups across technology, sustainability, education, the arts, and community development with accessible, mission-aligned funding. We also partner with other 501(c)(3) organizations working in youth development, financial literacy, and inclusive entrepreneurship.
Our goal is to build a thriving network of youth founders, mentors, and philanthropists committed to long-term economic empowerment and generational change.
Organizational Status: The Leadon Family Foundation is a Public-Benefit Non-Profit Corporation affiliated with the Leadon Family Foundation Trust, a 501(c)(3) Public Charity (EIN: 41-6789320), which serves as a supporting entity. We are in the third phase of a five-phase establishment plan:
- Phase 1: Organizational Design ✅
- Phase 2: Federal Tax-Exempt and Public Charity Status ✅
- Phase 3: Initial Funding via Incoming Grants (Current Stage)
- Phase 4: Ongoing Funding (Future)
- Phase 5: Operating Stage (Future)
Our Founding Mission
We are building a nonprofit charitable foundation comprised of investors and entrepreneurs as members, providing a support structure for start-up founders and underprivileged yet gifted youth and young entrepreneurs and small business founders deemed to be a defining force for tomorrow’s business or charitable landscape — to empower “greater entrepreneurship through innovation in our local communities for the next generation.”
Our Vision: The Leadon Family Foundation seeks to establish a thriving ecosystem for business and non-profit young leaders across funding access, investor networking, access to co-founders, mentorship, and affordable academic programs through any affiliated online universities.
Our Core Values: We seek to maintain a mutually respectful environment between all members, where all members are treated with respect and dignity and where advice and good ideas can be freely exchanged. We seek for each member to integrate a personal mission and vision into that of the Foundation.
Our Founder
Charlie Leadon founded the Leadon Family Foundation in June 2025 with a vision for a charitable guiding mission for young entrepreneurs, driven by the need for greater entrepreneurship among young people, more financial education, and affordable quality university education for all. Charlie restructured the Foundation in December 2025 and serves as Sole Trustee for Life of the Leadon Family Foundation Trust and President of the Foundation at the pleasure of the Board.
Organizational Leadership Structure
The Leadon Family Foundation and Leadon Family Foundation Trust are led by a multi-entity structure designed to insulate and protect charitable assets from operational friction:
- Leadon Family Foundation Trust — Sole Trustee (appoints & dismisses ↓)
- Leadon Family Foundation Board of Directors (appoints & dismisses ↓)
- Board Chair (presides over Board meetings)
- President (manages the Foundation)
- Chancellor (academic officer)
- Executive Director (operational manager)
- COO (optional project management role)
- Chapters of the Foundation — Chapter Chairs & Membership
Board members and officers hold their positions for life during “good behavior” and may nominate a successor upon retirement. Trustee succession occurs by designation, or to the then-highest-ranking foundation member, or to the then-most senior board member.
Key Leadership:
- Donald Dea — Senior Executive Board Chair & Corporate Secretary (since December 2025)
- Karen Laverty — Senior Fundraising Committee Chair (since January 2026)
- Diane Davis — Senior Chancellor (since December 2026)
- Richard Beattie — Colorado Chapter President & Board Member (since December 2026)
Where We Stand: Fundraising Pipeline
The Foundation currently has an estimated 201 outstanding incoming grant applications submitted, representing roughly $30M in total requested funding across the pipeline. Based on internal probability-weighted analysis, our current planning estimate for realistic incoming proceeds from existing submissions over 2026–2027 and beyond is approximately $500,000 — this is a modeled estimate, not a confirmed or guaranteed figure, and actual results depend entirely on funder decisions.
Role Description
The Foundation Fundraising Committee Vice Chair is a remote, independent contractor role responsible for supporting the strategic planning and execution of fundraising initiatives for the Leadon Family Foundation. This role collaborates with the Committee Chair and Foundation leadership to develop fundraising campaigns, identify prospective donors, prepare and submit incoming grant applications, maintain over 100 outstanding grant submissions under review at any given time, and cultivate donor relationships with individuals, corporations, and philanthropic partners.
Day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Grant research and proposal development
- Maintaining and submitting grant applications
- Coordinating donor and funder outreach efforts
- Preparing donor communications and impact reports
- Helping organize virtual fundraising events or campaigns
- Contributing to fundraising policy development
- Tracking progress against fundraising goals
- Ensuring fundraising activities align with the Foundation’s mission of empowering youth entrepreneurs and partner nonprofits
Qualifications
- Fundraising and development skills, including donor prospecting, donor stewardship, and campaign planning
- Experience with grant research, grant writing, and reporting to foundations or institutional funders
- Knowledge of nonprofit operations, particularly 501(c)(3) compliance, budgeting, and charitable giving practices
- Strong communication skills, including clear writing, public speaking, and the ability to tailor messages for diverse stakeholders
- Proficiency with digital tools for remote collaboration (email, video conferencing, CRM/donor databases, project management platforms)
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a remote setting
- Prior experience in youth-focused initiatives, entrepreneurship support, or community development highly beneficial
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field preferred
- $500,000+ in procured funding for a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) Public Charity, or substantiated confidence in the ability to procure over $500,000 in annual incoming funding
- Alignment with Core Values, personal vision integratable into the Foundation’s Vision, and a respectful attitude toward Foundation leadership
Compensation & Earnings Potential
- $100,000 or greater in performance-based earnings per year, capped at up to 50% of all annual funding directly procured, plus project management fees (TBD) on any funded start-up projects
- $25,000+ annual bonus contingent upon attaining $750,000/year or greater in direct or indirectly procured funding for the Foundation, including but not limited to incoming grants
Note: Compensation structure is subject to final review to ensure compliance with applicable state charitable solicitation and paid-fundraiser regulations.
Pay: $25,000.00 - $1,300,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Work from home
Work Location: Remote
