President, Samuel S. Fels Fund

Posted by Samuel S. Fels Fund on March 9, 2015

President, Samuel S. Fels Fund

Reporting Relationship: The President will report to the Board of Directors and manage a small staff

About the Samuel S. Fels Fund

The Samuel S. Fels Fund is a private independent foundation founded in 1935 by Samuel S. Fels, a Philadelphia philanthropist who made his money in the manufacture of Fels Naptha, a popular household soap. Historically the Fund has granted approximately $1.5 million with grants in the categories of Arts and Humanities, and Education and Community Programs, all in the City of Philadelphia. The Fund also runs an annual program, the Fels Internships in Community Service, through which it awards grants to Philadelphia nonprofits to support internships for graduate students during the summer. In 2014, the Fels Fund made over one hundred and fifty individual payments encompassing all three giving areas.

The Fels Fund’s grantmaking priorities have historically included projects that improve the lives of the least fortunate in Philadelphia, and have been dispersed to nonprofits facing “critical junctures” – organizational crossroads related to expansion, experimentation, reorganization or an enhanced need for advocacy. A particular focus has often been on small non-profits and grassroots organizations with attention to the needs of a great diversity of recipients. The Fund’s rolling application deadline supports this approach, enabling it to be flexible and time-sensitive to grantee needs; a grant from the Fels Fund is frequently considered a “stamp of approval” that may draw the attention and respect of other funders. The Fund is also distinguished by its nonmonetary support for grantees and others in the community; it often fulfills this role as a convener, and by encouraging stakeholders to work together to solve Philadelphia’s most pressing problems.

The Fund’s President of the past 23 years will be departing this summer and as such the Fels Fund is searching for a new President.

Position Purpose
The President will work closely with the Fels Fund Board in guiding the organization, and in the design, articulation and execution of grantmaking strategy and goals. S/he will also regularly assess the outcomes of Fels Fund grants and engage the Board and broader community in understanding the impact of the Fund’s work. The President will play a significant civic engagement role within Philadelphia, ideally building on the legacy of Samuel S. Fels, the Fund’s long-standing reputation and unique position in Philadelphia, and the significant contributions of Fels’s outgoing President. This will be done in a strategic and thoughtful way that will enable the organization to effectively carry out its mission and serve the community.

Position Responsibilities
Leadership, Vision, Strategy
 Building on Fels’s strong legacy, develop an impactful vision in partnership with the Board to further establish Fels as a creative force and constructive resource for adding to the quality of life in Philadelphia
 Advocate on behalf of the Fels Fund the well-being of Philadelphia through public service efforts such as convenings and thought leadership
 Participate in foundation, non-profit, and governmental collaborations
 Position Fels to respond nimbly and effectively to emerging trends, issues and needs in Philadelphia
 Develop and propose any modifications to Fels Fund’s policies as they relate to the organization’s vision, partnerships, and grantmaking strategy, including programmatic focus and grantmaking criteria; partner with Board to make decisions
 Leverage Board knowledge, skills and expertise where appropriate; build strong relationships with Board based on partnership, mutual trust, respect, and open communication; promote the Board’s engagement in critical thinking

Grants Management and Grantee Support
 Conduct all aspects of grant due diligence and disbursement, including but not limited to: proposal and report review, grants analysis and recommendations, site visits, and docket preparation (the Fels Board reviews grants five times a year in February, March, June September or December)
 Prepare Board for consideration of grant requests, and manage timing and volume of grant decisions
 Engage the Board in regular analysis of the impact of Fels’s grantmaking portfolio to learn from experience
 Respond to inquiries from grantees and prospective grantees, and research fields related to requests

Foundation Management
 Coordinate and oversee operations and management of the Fund
 Develop, monitor and manage the Fels Fund budget
 With Board, identify an effective and sustainable staffing model for Fels Fund; manage staff
 Prepare, in conjunction with President of the Board of Directors, all Board meeting agendas and related materials

Qualifications and Experience
 A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a senior-level position with a not-for-profit, foundation or equivalent organization
 Proven experience working with Boards or foundations and knowledge of governance processes
 Proven ability to leverage coalition-building or networks, and other creative non-grantmaking strategies to propel collective action and problem-solving; knowledge of other social impact tools such as mission-related investing
 Demonstrated management strength, with extensive knowledge of grantmaking and philanthropic best practices; knowledge of and experience with program evaluation
 Strong leadership qualities including a proven ability to effect change and realize a compelling vision, and ability to prioritize
 Entrepreneurial spirit; the ability to identify and cultivate effective leaders and organizations
 Ability to liaise and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in Philadelphia, from large foundations and policymakers to small, grassroots nonprofits and direct service providers
 Sense of urgency to address the needs of the least fortunate in Philadelphia; desire to lead peers by example, in improving philanthropic and grantmaking practice
 Self-sufficiency and comfort working with a very small staff
 Excellent communication skills including writing and listening
 Experience working with a diverse constituency; ability to excel in a multicultural environment

Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience. The Samuel S. Fels Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Application Submittal Procedure

All interested candidates should electronically submit a CV and cover letter to TCC Group at [email protected] with “Fels Fund President” in the subject line, no later than March 31, 2015. The cover letter should include the following elements:
 Description of the individual’s leadership experience working in the nonprofit/philanthropic sector or similar sector
 Description of the individual’s experience and/or familiarity with grantmaking, fostering collaboration, and serving as a thought leader for a community/network
 Description of demonstrated achievements in effecting change at the community/systems level
 Salary requirements
 Contact information for three references

For specific questions regarding the position, please contact Marieke Spence at TCC Group ([email protected]).
TCC Group
31 West 27th Street
4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
http://www.tccgrp.com

Following a round of interviews, Fels Fund anticipates making an offer in May.