President and CEO

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) – a nationally recognized philanthropy infrastructure organization – seeks nominations and applications for its next President and CEO. Stewarding a historic and diverse legacy of philanthropic community in Michigan and a powerful network of state and national partners, the CEO will advance an innovative vision for CMF, strengthen relationships and programs that serve its members, oversee strategic operations, lead policy and advocacy efforts to protect philanthropic independence, and ensure CMF’s long-term sustainability and impact for the benefit of future generations.

CMF is a nonpartisan, values based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and a premier regional association with membership tenure that ranges from some of the largest, oldest, and most connected foundations in the country to newly established philanthropies at the cutting edge of the field. Michigan philanthropy includes community foundations that serve every county of the state, corporate philanthropy and giving programs, family philanthropy, public foundations, professional advisors and a robust youth philanthropy program engaging hundreds of young grantmakers. CMF is committed to equipping CMF members in their work to advance equitable systems, fortifying the field through public policy action, fostering the growth of current and future philanthropy leaders, and sharing exemplary philanthropic practices and field expertise. CMF serves as a vital convener, connector and collaborator – advancing partnerships across the state and around the country. CMF offers an array of services and supports to serve members’ unique needs, meeting members where they are while maintaining an innovative, strategic, and long-term view of the field.

Strong candidates will demonstrate clear vision for the next chapter of CMF’s work, a track record of convening diverse stakeholders, a commitment to equity, experience in advocacy and policy, and the agility, creativity, and entrepreneurship needed to lead and innovate in a dynamic time. This leader will excel in management of a highly skilled team and will have experience supporting distinguished and engaged boards in work relevant to advancing a complex, mission driven membership organization.

CMF is supported in this search by Katherine E. Jacobs, Ph.D., CEO Emeritus of NPAG and Founder and Principal of GDSI Leadership. Information on nominations and applications appears at the end of this document.

ABOUT COUNCIL OF MICHIGAN FOUNDATIONS

Founded in 1975 as the nation’s second regional association of grantmakers, the Council of Michigan Foundations emerged in the wake of the 1969 tax hearings to help shape state and federal policy affecting philanthropy. Over time, CMF grew in mission, service, and membership and today supports a talented, diverse, and highly connected community that includes independent, family, community, corporate, and private foundations, public charities, intermediaries, corporate giving programs, and individual donors connected in purpose to support the well-being of communities in Michigan and beyond. CMF’s convenings, peer communities, trainings, tools, services, and advocacy efforts increase the impact of philanthropic activities across Michigan’s rural, urban, and suburban communities and nurture career pathways in the field. Through its work, CMF has transformed the social sector in important ways— defining effective youth engagement in philanthropy for the country, launching innovative enterprises, extending critical infrastructure, inspiring public-private partnerships, and championing effective policy nationally and regionally on behalf of its members. Michigan is known for deep, often multigenerational relationships in the mission driven sector that are cultivated through CMF and are reflected in landmark innovations with historic impact like the development of Michigan’s first AIDS Fund, the creation of the Governor's Office of Foundation Liaison, and the Statewide Equity Fund created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, just to name a few.

CMF’s skilled staff is grounded in clear values of equity, diversity, inclusion, integrity, engagement, and collaboration and works in both responsive and strategic ways to support CMF members. CMF’s relationship with and leadership among other national philanthropy serving organizations, Michigan-based sector partners, and public and private stakeholders is an important and powerful resource for Michigan philanthropy helping members keep current on trends, practices, and strategies like spend-down, trust based, and capacity-building approaches in their grantmaking. “Ask CMF” is a prime example of the resources provided for member organizations – an on-demand, one-to-one support led by experts in residence and CMF staff who foundation staff and trustees can turn to for advice, practical tools and additional capacity in their work. CMF is supported by a diversified financial model rooted in membership dues and complemented by designated endowments, fundraising, and earned revenue. Looking ahead to change and opportunity for reinvention in the mission-driven sector, CMF is poised to provide collective leadership, innovative vision, and practical resources to help members meet the moment.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The President and CEO will be an exceptional communicator and connector with clear vision for the role that Michigan philanthropy can play in seeding innovation, advancing equity, supporting effective community infrastructure, bridging divides, and improving conditions for communities in need. A successful CEO will bring optimism and foresight to CMF’s work, synthesizing complex information and embracing entrepreneurship in a fast changing sector. As CMF’s chief advocate and public representative, the CEO will bring warmth, humility, and respect for members’ varied contexts while unifying stakeholders around shared purpose and fiercely protecting philanthropic independence amid evolving political and regulatory conditions. Specifically, the new CEO will:

Build and sustain strong relationships across and among CMF’s diverse membership and sector partners.
In a period marked by polarization and rapid change, the CEO will be a skilled listener who cultivates authentic, ongoing relationships to understand members’ contexts, challenges, and aspirations as funding, policy, technology, generational dynamics, and strategies evolve. The CEO will model CMF’s values in practice—advancing equity as a force multiplier for mission, fostering belonging and shared purpose across lines of difference, and building relationships that provide the foundation for transformation. The CEO will bring vision and inspiration to new and next generation philanthropists and invite them into Michigan’s historic philanthropic community to champion regional, statewide, and national collective impact.

Chart the next stage vision and value proposition for CMF that is grounded in the powerful legacy of philanthropic community in Michigan, leading nationally in practice and purpose, and responsive to current and future member needs.
Working closely with the Board of Trustees, staff, and sector partners, the CEO will affirm and advance CMF’s vision, ground programs and practices in shared values, and embrace partnerships and collaborations that strengthen and evolve resources for CMF members. The CEO will be at the leading edge of national trends and developments, translating them into practical tools, resources, and strategies that strengthen the impact of Michigan philanthropy and support growth of the field and CMF membership.

Lead policy, advocacy, and coalition building for CMF and the field of philanthropy.
The CEO will stay ahead of current and emerging policy issues impacting the sector and will represent CMF effectively at the state and federal levels by articulating shared priorities, building bridges across diverse constituencies, and advancing a cohesive advocacy agenda. The CEO will work closely with foundations statewide to align learning, defend philanthropy’s independence, and influence policy that strengthens philanthropy’s role and impact in Michigan communities and beyond.

Lead, develop, and inspire a high performing team.
A skilled mentor and coach, the CEO will support a talented team, nurture shared leadership, and align people and resources with CMF’s strategic priorities. The CEO will continue advancing equity within organizational practices and will translate CMF’s vision into actionable, program specific roadmaps across operations, systems, and staffing. The CEO will ensure strong financial stewardship—including budgets, forecasts, and reporting—and maintain clear, consistent communication with the Board on organizational health, opportunities, and challenges.

Advance CMF’s fiscal strength and sustainability.
The CEO will champion CMF’s work and pursue creative fundraising and earned revenue strategies that support evolving programs, partnerships, and policy efforts, ensuring long term organizational resilience and value to members. The CEO will be an effective steward of existing endowment funds and explore opportunities for new structures and partnerships that increase member value while sustaining operational health.

Deepen engagement across levels of foundation leadership and with the next generation of Michigan philanthropists.
Building on existing partnerships, the CEO will lead CMF in engaging an increasingly diverse philanthropic community across function, geography, age, perspective, and identity. They will adapt engagement and program strategies, integrate new technologies, advance equity centered dialogue, and continue elevating youth voice—harnessing the next generation’s energy, innovation, and vision for the future.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

While no one candidate may possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will be passionate about the Council of Michigan Foundations’ mission and values and will bring many of the following skills and experiences:

• A minimum of ten years of successful senior leadership experience in membership, philanthropy, or nonprofit organizations; advanced degree in business, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field is preferred.
• Current understanding of the range of structures, strategies, and practices in philanthropy combined with experience driving innovative social sector partnerships and solutions.
• Familiarity with the structure and function of membership organizations and a vision for how that structure can be brought to collective impact.
• An unwavering commitment to operationalizing equity in both practice and purpose.
• Proven success convening and engaging diverse stakeholders in ways that foster inclusivity, builds shared language, and advances common ground initiatives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with high emotional intelligence; ability to translate complex ideas for varied audiences and craft compelling narratives that meaningfully engage members and partners.
• Demonstrated track record of developing and executing strategic plans, moving effectively from vision to implementation.
• Clear understanding of sound board governance, gained through direct experience working with professional boards; maturity and judgment to engage board members’ expertise in shaping strategic direction.
• Strong record of building, mentoring, and sustaining high performing teams; collaborative management style grounded in respect, transparency, accountability, and shared leadership; flexibility, humility, and comfort sharing credit and spotlighting others.
•  Unquestionable values, ethics, integrity, and honesty in all professional dealings; calm, approachable leadership style, ability to embrace feedback, and sound judgment under pressure.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity, balancing competing priorities, and leading through uncertainty.
• A sense of humor and ability to bring joy to the work.

Work Location: With headquarters offices in Detroit, but a distributed team and remote team culture, the next CEO will reside in Michigan and will travel frequently to meet with members, staff, and stakeholders across the state.

Salary and Benefits: The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $295K-$320K annually.

To learn more about the Council of Michigan Foundations, please visit: www.michiganfoundations.org.

Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via GDSI’s website. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

This search is being led by Katherine Jacobs, Ph.D., Founder and Principal of GDSI Leadership, a spin and expansion of her search portfolio as CEO of NPAG that is dedicated to the integrated governance, design, search, and interim leadership needs of a sector in flux. Nominations can be submitted confidentially to Katherine at katherine@gdsileadership.com.

CMF is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.