FNG Director

CHILDREN’S FUNDING PROJECT is a nonprofit social impact organization that helps communities and states expand equitable opportunities for children and youth through strategic public financing. Through our hands-on technical assistance and collection of resources, we help advocates, policymakers, public agencies, and funders identify and align existing funding, generate new revenue, and implement strategies to administer funds in ways that maximize their impact. This growing organization is dynamic and seeks to meet the needs of the child and youth field and provide a healthy work environment. Read more about us at: https://www.childrensfundingproject.org/.

FUNDING THE NEXT GENERATION (www.fundingthenextgeneration.org) is Children’s Funding Project’s California division. FNG’s mission is to increase dedicated funding for children and youth in local jurisdictions (specifically cities and counties) throughout California, with a focus on using the ballot to create the funds. Inspired by California’s first and largest Children and Youth Fund in San Francisco through campaigns led by FNG’s Founder and current Director, FNG builds the capacity of city and county coalitions and leaders to work in the political area, works to build a movement to advance budget equity for children and youth in California, and continues to develop the theory and educational materials to help guide that movement.

ABOUT THE POSITION: Children’s Funding Project is seeking a politically sophisticated Director to lead, manage, and scale all aspects of the organization’s movement building, technical assistance, organizing, policy, and advocacy work in California. The Director will define strategy, set goals, supervise a small California-based staff and consultant team, and ensure the effectiveness of FNG’s functions. Critically, the Director must provide political and policy leadership in California’s budget equity work for children and youth by building and managing a statewide network and movement; supporting diverse local coalitions of advocates, organizers, elected officials, youth, and parents; and strengthening FNG’s position as an effective force for transforming local investments in children and youth throughout the state.  Note, the focus of FNG is on local revenue, strategies and organizing to impact local public investments. This full-time, exempt position reports to the Chief Administrative Officer of the Children’s Funding Project and a California Advisory Committee. In-state travel and residency is required.    

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

●       Leadership

o  Provide strategic leadership for FNG by developing work plans, setting goals, building a network of city and county coalitions/leaders, establishing partnerships, coordinating project deliverables, tracking progress, and managing the evolution of the project as needed.

o  Engage in ongoing learning about California’s state and local political, electoral, and legal landscape impacting local public investments for children and youth.

o  Provide compelling and inspirational communication to stakeholders throughout the state about the value of investing in children and youth, and the importance of having public resources reflect that value.

o  Act as the primary project champion and relationship manager for FNG’s internal and external stakeholders.

●       Supervision

o  Hire, train, and supervise a small core team, including a project manager and part-time administrator.  

o  Build a collaborative work environment with the team, including the founder-in-residence, who will act as a strategic adviser.

o  Recruit and provide technical direction to consultants that support FNG’s work, including experts in polling, election law, politics, public finance, organizing, and communication.

●       Fundraising

o  Build relationships with, develop funding proposals for, and fulfill commitments to foundations, participants, and other investors in FNG’s work.

●       Training & Technical Assistance

o  Build the capacity of FNG’s California-based network through the provision of training, technical assistance, and related activities.

o  Deploy capacity-building supports such as the formation and facilitation of specialized cohorts for those preparing for the ballot or other types of revenue increases for children and youth; place-specific consultations; and individual coaching for key leaders.

o  Analyze, synthesize, and disseminate findings, lessons-learned, and recommended practices to various audiences, including California-based advocates, policymakers, funders, and FNG network participants.

●       Other

o  Collaborate with Children’s Funding Project on communications (e.g., newsletters, websites, reports), national and regional events, building the theory and practice of the emerging field, and other activities that increase impact and advance the mission and the national movement.

o  Other duties as assigned.

CANDIDATE PROFILE: We aim for our outreach for this position to include everyone, understanding that the desired experience, skills, and qualities are broad and may seem daunting. We welcome applicants who possess many of these qualities, knowing that it's unlikely for any individual to have all of them. We hope this understanding encourages confidence in applicants to join the pool.

We are seeking an individual who possesses the following:

Experience

·      Policy and Politics

o  Track record in the political, policy and organizing arena including work on issue-oriented ballot measures, coalition-building with diverse allies, passion for using the political arena to accomplish social justice policy goals – with particular emphasis on children and youth issues and local strategies to increase revenue.  

o  Involvement in engaging youth and parents in the advocacy and policy arena.

o  Work in and strong understanding of the local political process in California (e.g., in cities and counties) including how policy is made and influenced, the roles of various stakeholders, and how the electoral process impacts policy.

• Social Justice and Organizing

o  Work with diverse communities and a deep commitment to the values of justice, equity, diversity, and belonging, and an understanding of how budgets should reflect values.

o  Preference will be given to candidates with a track record of incorporating these social justice values into work that seeks to use the local political process to improve the well-being of children and youth, increase resources available to young people, and equity for the most under-resourced and marginalized children, youth, and families.

• Management and Supervision

o  Demonstrated experience managing remote staff and teams of consultants and participants, including supporting professional development, and providing mentorship and training.

Knowledge

• Degrees and Previous Employment

o  Bachelor's degree in social sciences, education, or related field and at least eight (8) years of experience in the government, nonprofit, political, or human services sector, ideally doing work related to Funding the Next Generation’s mission.

o  A master’s or professional degree may be substituted for up to three (3) years of work experience.

• Lived Experience

o  Preference will be given to candidates who have professional or lived experience with advocacy organizations, systems, and/or policies that serve children, youth, and families, in areas such as drafting legislation, organizing voter outreach, forming issue-oriented coalitions, and budget advocacy, as well as experiencing the impact of the maldistribution of public resources for children and youth.

Skills

• Strong managerial, inter-personal, communication, organizing, and strategy skills, including building relationships and partnerships across multiple sectors and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (e.g., experience providing public testimony, making persuasive speeches, facilitating meetings, explaining procedures, preparing PowerPoint presentations).

Qualities

• Excitement about leading an emerging movement to expand local public resources for California’s children and youth. 
• Passion for understanding and strategizing about local politics.  
• Ability to communicate that enthusiasm and inspire others.
• Team player with an interest in working with and learning from founder-in-residence.

LOCATION: Remote with ability to travel. Director must reside within state of California. 

STARTING COMPENSATION: This position falls into the director level of our salary structure. Starting compensation will be between $110,000 and $130,000, commensurate with skills, experience, and internal equity. Children’s Funding Project also offers a generous benefit package, a great (and growing!) team, and a working environment that emphasizes professional development and growth.

STARTING DATE: Summer 2024, to be negotiated.

TO APPLY: A cover letter is required for consideration and should address your specific interest in and vision for the position as well as relevant professional and lived experiences. The cover letter will weigh heavily in the selection process.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: May 3, 2024      

Children’s Funding Project commits to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that reflects the breadth of communities and clients we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring socially conscious individuals with diverse experiences and knowledge that deepen our organization’s impact. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. People of color, members of Tribal Nations and native communities, LGBTQ-identified people, gender-nonconforming people, people with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are strongly encouraged to apply.