Executive Director | Nonprofit Leadership, Fundraising, Educational Equity & Community ImpactRidgefield A Better Chance (RABC)
Ridgefield A Better Chance (RABC) is part of the national A Better Chance network, one of the nation’s leading educational equity organizations dedicated to increasing access to high-quality college preparatory education for academically talented students of color.
Since 1987, Ridgefield ABC has empowered young women of color through educational opportunity, leadership development, academic enrichment, and community support. Scholars live in a residential setting supported by residential directors, academic advisors, host families, college counseling, and dedicated volunteers while attending the academically rigorous Ridgefield High School.
Ridgefield ABC is a respected and mission-driven nonprofit organization with a highly engaged Board of Directors and strong community support. We are seeking a dynamic, relationship-centered Executive Director to lead fundraising, nonprofit operations, strategic growth, community engagement, student-centered programming, and organizational leadership.
The Executive Director reports directly to the Board President and works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, families, community stakeholders, and national ABC partners.
Position Overview
The Executive Director serves as the strategic and operational leader of Ridgefield ABC and is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission through fundraising leadership, donor engagement, nonprofit management, financial oversight, community partnerships, organizational growth, and program support.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and adaptable nonprofit leader with demonstrated experience in fundraising, relationship-building, nonprofit operations, volunteer engagement, and team leadership who is passionate about educational equity, youth development, diversity, inclusion, and student success.
Key Leadership ResponsibilitiesFundraising, Development & Donor Engagement
- Minimum 4–6 years of demonstrated nonprofit fundraising and development experience with success securing revenue through donor cultivation, sponsorships, grants, fundraising campaigns, and community partnerships
- Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising and donor engagement strategies to support organizational sustainability and growth
- Cultivate, solicit, steward, and retain individual donors, corporate sponsors, business partners, and community stakeholders
- Partner with the Fundraising Committee to oversee annual fundraising campaigns, donor events, sponsorship opportunities, and community engagement initiatives
- Identify grant and foundation opportunities and collaborate with grant writing support
- Strengthen donor pipelines, donor retention, and long-term philanthropic relationships
- Support fundraising strategy aligned with educational equity, leadership development, and student success goals
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Growth
- Serve as the strategic leader and primary ambassador of the organization
- Advance organizational priorities aligned with educational equity, student achievement, and leadership development
- Support long-term sustainability, strategic planning, organizational growth, and operational excellence
- Foster a mission-driven, collaborative, inclusive, and student-centered organizational culture
- Develop partnerships that increase visibility, community support, and organizational impact
Operations, Financial Oversight & Administration
- Oversee nonprofit operations, financial management, organizational systems, and administrative processes
- Partner with the Treasurer and Board leadership on annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial oversight
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, grant requirements, reporting standards, and organizational policies
- Maintain effective operational systems, program tracking tools, and organizational records
- Monitor operational effectiveness and organizational performance metrics
Talent Recruitment, Volunteer Engagement & Team Leadership
- Recruit, supervise, support, and develop staff and volunteers
- Oversee resident staff and personnel-related processes
- Foster strong communication, collaboration, accountability, and team engagement
- Build meaningful volunteer opportunities and stakeholder involvement
- Support leadership development and professional growth within the organization
Community Engagement, Marketing & Representation
- Serve as a primary representative and spokesperson for Ridgefield ABC within the community
- Build strong relationships with schools, families, volunteers, alumni, donors, and community partners
- Partner with the Communications Committee to increase awareness through public relations, storytelling, social media, outreach campaigns, and community engagement
- Represent the organization at community events, meetings, and partnership opportunities
Crisis Management & Student-Centered Leadership
- Respond to sensitive or high-impact situations with professionalism, empathy, sound judgment, and calm leadership
- Apply thoughtful problem-solving and resource coordination when addressing organizational or student-related challenges
- Support a student-centered environment grounded in equity, care, leadership, accountability, and belonging
Board Collaboration & Governance
The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors and Committee Chairs to support organizational leadership, governance, and strategic planning.
Responsibilities include:
- Supporting Board operations, planning, and implementation of strategic goals
- Providing regular organizational, operational, and programmatic updates to the Board and Executive Committee
- Collaborating on fundraising, sustainability, and organizational growth initiatives
- Assisting with meeting preparation, Board communication, and committee engagement
- Supporting effective Board partnership, transparency, and accountability
Candidate Qualifications
- Minimum 5–7+ years of nonprofit leadership experience in roles such as Executive Director, Development Director, Director of Advancement, Director of Development, or similar leadership positions
- Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, donor cultivation, sponsorship development, and community engagement
- Proven ability to secure and steward major donors, business partners, and philanthropic relationships
- Experience leading fundraising campaigns, donor stewardship strategies, annual giving efforts, and fundraising events
- Strong nonprofit operational leadership, budget management, financial oversight, and organizational management experience
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with and supporting a Board of Directors
- Experience with strategic planning, organizational growth, and mission-driven leadership
- Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills
- Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring, and supporting staff and volunteers
- Experience using CRM systems, donor databases, fundraising software, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and digital communication platforms preferred
- Action-oriented, adaptable, collaborative, and innovative leadership style
- Strong commitment to educational equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and student success
- Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders from varying social and economic backgrounds
Position Details
- Full-time exempt position
- Hybrid schedule with flexible remote work options
- Part-time on-site presence required in Ridgefield, CT
- Evening Board meetings held monthly
- Vacation and remote scheduling aligned with the Ridgefield High School academic calendar
We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every qualification listed above. If you are excited about the mission and believe you could thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting salary: $75,000+ commensurate with experience
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Sick leave in accordance with Connecticut state guidelines
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ridgefield, CT 06877
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining your fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement experience to:
[email protected]
Subject Line: Ridgefield ED
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Ability to Commute:
- Ridgefield, CT 06877 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Ridgefield, CT 06877: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ridgefield, CT 06877
