Posted on October 4, 2012

print

Director of Basic Human Needs

The mission of The Denver Foundation is to inspire people and mobilize resources to strengthen our community. Since 1925, The Denver Foundation has helped generous people to be catalysts for good by building charitable legacies.

As Colorado's oldest and largest community foundation, we help people give back to Metro Denver in ways that are meaningful -- to them and to the community.

Generosity Meet Stewardship
- We steward the Community Endowment to meet the changing needs of the community now and for generations to come. The Community Endowment is made up of gifts from thousands of donors over the course of the Foundation's history. Earnings from the endowment help local nonprofits and community leaders to help those most in need in Metro Denver in the areas of basic human needs, economic opportunity, and education.

Generosity Meet Expertise
- The Foundation assists Metro Denver individuals, families, and businesses in accomplishing their charitable goals by helping them design personalized charitable giving strategies and establishing customized, flexible donor funds. We currently manage more than 900 charitable funds giving donors the power of a private foundation without the administrative burdens. The Foundation offers expertise and experience in family philanthropic planning, provided free of charge or obligation.

Generosity Meet Leadership
- We work with community and philanthropic leaders to address the core challenges that face Metro Denver.

The Denver Foundation now seeks a talented Director to lead our work in Basic Human Needs.

Position Overview

The Director of Basic Human Needs leads The Denver Foundation’s long-term goal of ensuring that Metro Denver residents are assured of meeting their basic human needs in a way that is safe, dignified, and easily managed.

The Director leads grantmaking and community action strategies addressing hunger, homelessness, basic medical care, and domestic violence as they relate to the most vulnerable residents in Metro Denver. In particular, the Director works with residents, constituents, programs, and organizations involving people living in poverty, people of color, immigrants, and refugees.

The Director of Basic Human Needs plays a key role in working directly with grantees and the populations they serve. This is a hands-on role that includes involvement in providing access to services as well as capacity building. The Director of Basic Human Needs supports residents and constituents through efforts such as navigation of services and benefits as well as working directly with the providers of those services, developing peer networks, and engaging in leadership training. S/he works to achieve collective impact through collaborative partnerships among nonprofits, residents, and constituents.

Qualifications

The Denver Foundation believes that if people are given equal access to information, opportunity, tools, resources and the support they need to meet their own basic human needs, they can improve their lives and communities. Our deepest expertise is in fostering broad and deep connections within our community, with people from all walks of life, in order to help community members find and implement their own solutions.

We seek a Director who shares this both this expertise and a passion for addressing the disparities that persist in our communities based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity.

We seek talented individuals with skills in developing effective partnerships, evaluating outcomes, and finding innovative, equity-focused solutions to complex problems.

Specifically, qualified candidates will have these skills and/or experience:

• 5+ years in the nonprofit or public service sector, either as a staff member or involved board member
• Knowledge of homelessness, hunger, and other issues related to poverty and lack of opportunity
• Proven organizational, management, and leadership skills
• Experience in working with resident leaders, immigrant and refugee families, people of color, or people in poverty and commitment to satisfying their basic human needs regardless of circumstance
• Experience with outcome-based, collective impact, and learning community approaches
• Outstanding communication skills, written and verbal
• Experience in directing change and working in environments of ambiguity
• Strong ability to develop relationships and work as a committed team member
• Familiarity with Colorado, particularly the seven-county Metro Denver area and the philanthropic community
• Fluency in Spanish preferred; bachelor’s degree preferred.

Additionally we look for candidates who bring these personal qualities:

• Sees the big picture while managing daily details
• Multi-tasks effectively and regularly
• Recognizes nuance and context
• Coaches and nurtures others effectively
• Is collaborative, a problem solver, creative, and innovative.

Application Instructions

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to apply for this position by sending a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to Carolyn McCormick of Peak HR Consulting, LLC at Carolyn.McCormick@peakhrconsulting.com. All applications are to be submitted via email. Learn more about The Denver Foundation and this position by visiting our website at www.denverfoundation.org.

THE DENVER FOUNDATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.