President & CEO

About Maryland Nonprofits

The Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations (Maryland Nonprofits) is one of the largest and most successful state associations of nonprofits with close to 2,000 members and partners, and a staff of more than 20. Its mission is to strengthen organizations for greater quality of life and equity.
For more than thirty years, Maryland Nonprofits has been a trusted resource and leading advocate for the state’s nonprofit sector. Training programs, learning cohorts, and technical assistance provide nonprofit leaders with the field’s best practices. Convenings, information sharing, and networking amplify a collective voice for nonprofits. A trusted nonpartisan public policy leader, Maryland Nonprofit represents its members’ varied interests before the Maryland General Assembly, Congress, and local governments.

Signature initiatives include:

• Member Resources: Members have a variety of benefits to inform, promote, connect, and strengthen individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector: publications, alerts, and research; cost-saving partnerships; program discounts; and free access to the job board.
• Professional Development: In-person and virtual conferences, workshops, and networking events help members navigate the complexities of nonprofit management and governance, while responding to emerging issues of today. Each year, Maryland Nonprofits hosts an annual conference, a two-day event in the fall, that draws upwards of 400 nonprofit staff, board members, and sector partners from across the state.
• Maryland Nonprofits Consulting Group: Fee-for-service consulting engagements in governance, fundraising, strategic planning, legal counsel, and more to help members navigate change, strengthen leadership, and develop strategies for long-term impact.
• Standards for Excellence Institute: The Institute promotes high standards of ethics and accountability in nonprofit governance, management, and operations through educational resources, training, a licensed consultant program, accreditation, and assessment tools. A replication partner program brings the Standards’ resources to communities nationwide.
• Policy and Advocacy: As the state’s leading advocate for nonprofit public policy, Maryland Nonprofit provides members with resources, convenings, organizing, advocacy campaigns and coalition building to amplify the collective voice of nonprofits.
• Maryland Association of Resources for Families & Youth (MARFY): A membership for organizations providing foster care, group homes, and vital youth services across Maryland. Through advocacy and support, MARFY drives public policies that promote justice, equity, and trauma-informed care, ensuring success for children and families across the state.
• Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU): A statewide network supporting Latino and immigrant communities through collaboration, advocacy, and capacity-building. By amplifying the collective voice of Maryland’s Latino community, MLU ensures that all Latinos can access essential services and thrive.

Uniquely positioned at the intersection of capacity building and systems change, Maryland Nonprofits works to elevate both individual nonprofit effectiveness and the overall health of the sector. Learn more at marylandnonprofits.org.
 

Leadership Opportunity

Maryland's nonprofit sector is navigating one of the most consequential periods in recent memory. Recent federal cuts have impacted the workforce, grants, and programs that nonprofits and their communities rely on. A national rollback of equity initiatives, overlaid with the state’s projected $1.4 billion budget gap, create compounding pressures for Maryland Nonprofits’ members. Against this backdrop, the unifying role of a strong statewide association has never been more critical.

Last spring, the Board of Directors announced the departure of President & CEO, Heather Illiff, following more than a decade of executive leadership and a total of 18 years of dedicated service to the organization. The Board is now embarking on a search for its next President & CEO (President). A compassionate advocate and skilled bridge-builder, the next President joins a statewide organization at a defining national moment, forging partnerships at the local, regional, and federal levels to ensure residents across Maryland have access to the resources they need to thrive. The incoming leader will build on a strong organizational legacy while outlining an ambitious vision for the critical role of the state's nonprofit sector.

A 2023–2027 Strategic Plan focuses Maryland Nonprofits on four interconnected priorities:

• Serving as a leading voice and convener for a robust and equitable nonprofit sector
• Driving more equitable outcomes across nonprofit organizations and communities
• Strengthening and diversifying revenue and membership for long-term sustainability
• Aligning organizational culture, governance, and capacity around equity and inclusion

The President will play a central role in advancing these priorities, while also deepening the organization’s advocacy influence, expanding its reach and relevance to current and prospective nonprofit members, and ensuring that its programs and services meet the capacity building needs of members of all sizes, industries, and geographies. They will balance mission-driven growth with disciplined financial planning and operational sustainability.

As the organization’s primary spokesperson and influential advocacy leader, the President will cultivate strong relationships with nonprofit leaders, policymakers, funders, and cross-sector partners. They will elevate Maryland Nonprofits’ visibility and credibility while ensuring that the voices and needs of nonprofits, particularly those led by and serving historically marginalized communities, are represented in decision-making spaces.

The position’s key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Advance the mission of Maryland Nonprofits by developing excellent programs, engaging members, and advancing the field of nonprofit capacity building.
• Partner with the Board of Directors and staff to refine and implement a clear, forward-looking strategic vision aligned with Maryland Nonprofits’ mission and values.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, measurable outcomes, and organizational accountability systems.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Board, ensuring strong governance, timely reports, clear workplans, and informed decision-making; serve as a non-voting, ex officio board member.
• Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities affecting the nonprofit sector and position the organization responsively.
• Ensure consistent alignment across strategy, programs, and resource allocation.

Outreach and Advocacy

• Maintain and expand Maryland Nonprofits’ reputation and reach as a state, regional, and national leader.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and influential leader, representing members' interests to the media, government, funders, donors, and other nonprofit leaders.
• Advance a proactive public policy agenda that strengthens nonprofits in Maryland and empower organizations to make a greater impact in their communities.
• Support the creation of legislative alerts, campaigns, and testimony that responds to state and federal opportunities and threats.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, government agencies, philanthropic partners, and leaders from the nonprofit and business sectors.
• Develop partnerships with cross-sector stakeholders to advance collaborative solutions to nonprofits’ greatest challenges.
• Elevate the organization’s brand and influence through strategic communications, public relations, and partnerships.

Membership, Programs, and Sector Impact

• Set direction for innovation within programs and services, including training, consulting, Standards for Excellence, and other capacity-building initiatives, to ensure high-quality, relevant programs and services meet the evolving needs of the diverse membership.
• Direct cross-functional teams to develop new programs and service proposals as needed.
• Strengthen systems for ongoing member engagement, recruitment, and retention; regularly evaluate benefits determine effectiveness and member satisfaction.
• Maintain regular contact with members to understand their needs, incorporate ideas, and engage leaders in the association.
• Use data and evaluation to assess quality and impact, and inform continuous improvement.
• Liaise with colleagues, nonprofits, and associations on the sector’s issues, including philanthropic networks, and governmental departments, peer statewide associations, the National Council of Nonprofits, Independent Sector, among many others.

• Lead the business model design for a balanced and diversified revenue strategy that includes earned income, membership, grants, sponsorships, and philanthropy.
• Oversee financial management and forecasting, including annual budgeting, multi-year projections, regular audits, and timely board reports.
• Manage revenue and expenses to ensure positive cash flow and build appropriate reserves.
• Partner with the Board and staff to identify new income opportunities, assess feasibility of new ideas, and strengthen existing revenue streams.
• Support sound financial and administrative systems, bookkeeping, accounting procedures, and internal controls are in place, followed by staff, and result in reliable, regular, and timely financial information.

Organizational Leadership and Management

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, including supervising senior leaders.
• Foster an inclusive organizational culture grounded in equity, belonging, and shared accountability.
• Ensure effective and compliant day-to-day operations, including human resources, finance, legal, and technology systems.
• Direct internal compliance with Standards for Excellence practices; identify and invest in building policies and operational capacity that follow best practices.
• Strengthen internal infrastructure, processes, and cross-functional collaboration to facilitate productive working relationships among staff, consultants, and volunteers.
• Model transparent communication and prioritize professional growth across the organization.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities

This position is a challenging and rewarding opportunity requiring a diverse set of skills and experiences. While no single candidate will possess every qualification listed, priority areas are:

• Deep commitment to Maryland Nonprofits’ mission to strengthen organizations for greater quality of life and equity.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit, association, philanthropic, or related sector; membership organization experience preferred.
• Knowledge of issues, trends, and policies affecting the nonprofit sector and communities served by nonprofits. Experience in Maryland is a major plus.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget planning, revenue diversification, and business model development.
• Success raising funds across multiple revenue streams, including grants, sponsorships, and earned revenue.
• Capable of “big picture” thinking, while being able to connect ideas with actionable plans. Thinks strategically, forecasts trends, and spots patterns others may not see.
• Ability to serve as an effective spokesperson on behalf of the membership. Skilled at engaging a variety of constituents – from policymakers to grassroots leaders.
• Proven track record in advocacy, public policy, and/or coalition-building.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives end-to-end, including stakeholder alignment, clear communication, conflict management, and ensuring sustained adoption of new processes or systems.
• A significant supervisory record, with demonstrable experience developing a positive team culture. Experience leading and developing high-performing teams and fostering inclusive organizational cultures.
• A consensus-orientation with demonstrated emotional intelligence, compassion, and superior listening skills.
• A strong track record advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in both internal and external settings.
• Prior work experience with a nonprofit board. Understands the importance of governance, board development, and collective decision making.