Founded in 2003, The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) is a 501(c)(3) public foundation with assets of $2.1 million that raises funds from individuals and institutions. With the merger with the Watertown Educational Foundation in 2018, the foundation has awarded over $2,000,000 in grants to dozens of programs and organizations; approximately $100,000 is awarded annually. WCF supports a wide variety of non-profits, community programs, and enterprises that enhance the quality of life for those who live in, work in, go to school in, or visit Watertown.  

Within Watertown’s four square miles is an incredible diversity of cultures, heritages, and languages, each contributing to the strength and richness of the city.  WCF is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its grantmaking, staffing, board composition, and vendors.  WCF offers everyone — individual donors, families, and businesses — effective ways to give back to the community. To inform its work, WCF partakes in community conversations to learn about the needs and lives of those spending time in Watertown and seeks out any new organizations or voices not yet heard or represented.  

During the pandemic, WCF played a key role in convening a community coalition to respond to city residents’ immediate needs.  It also created a Community Resilience Fund to provide rapid disbursement of resources and an opportunity for businesses and individuals to confidently donate in response to unprecedented local needs.  Among WCF’s principal frontline partner grantees were Metro West Collaborative Development, which provided emergency rental assistance, Wayside Youth and Family Services, which helped with food security and utility payments, and the Watertown Boys and Girls Club, which assisted with childcare.  WCF also responded to the increased challenges for community and family mental health, as well as emergency assistance, by funding a community social worker to organize mutual aid efforts.  Since long before the pandemic, the foundation has sponsored a volunteer month, and it actively promotes community events and partners with others to engage in community building.   

WCF’s 19-member Board of Directors reads and reviews grant proposals, administers the internship grant program, runs or assists with WCF events and communications, and acts as informal advisors. The executive director and a part-time assistant comprise the staff, which is also supported by contract accounting/auditing, bookkeeping, and graphic design

ABOUT THE POSITION

Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) is seeking an executive director with a passion for community engagement, strong management skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit. This position represents a rare opportunity to work at the forefront of building and sustaining a vibrant, close-knit community in Watertown, Massachusetts. The executive director is single-handedly responsible for developing and directing the work of the foundation and coordinating with the board of directors to advance its mission and vision.  

COMPENSATION

$115,000-$125,000

HOW TO APPLY

Click here for more information or to apply. Candidates must include a resume and a cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the needs and mission of WCF. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Send required documents to: https://eostransitions.applicantpool.com/jobs/  

This executive search is being conducted by Eos Transition Partners consultant Nancy Jackson. All submissions will be acknowledged and are confidential, and any questions must be submitted to Nancy Jackson at: [email protected].