Executive Director

The Original Six Foundation seeks a passionate and visionary Executive Director to lead an organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunity for children across South Carolina. The Executive Director is responsible for translating the Foundation’s mission into measurable impact through strategic leadership, fundraising excellence, community engagement, and effective organizational management. The successful candidate will serve as the public face of the Foundation, cultivating strong relationships with donors, partners, educators, and community leaders while ensuring the organization remains financially strong, operationally effective, and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes for the students and communities it serves. This is an opportunity for a mission-driven leader to shape the Foundation’s future, deepen its statewide influence, and expand its ability to close educational gaps through innovative programs, partnerships, and philanthropic investment

Location: Columbia, SC
Reports to: Board of Trustees

To view the full position profile, please visit: Original Six Foundation – Profile


AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 

Board Governance

• Works with board in order to fulfill the organization mission.
• Leads the Original Six Foundation in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Trustees.
• Communicates effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.

Financial Performance and Donor Recruitment

• Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization.
• Drives philanthropic giving and diversified revenue strategies to sustain and expand the impact of the Original Six Foundation.
• Manages the fiscal integrity of the Original Six Foundation, working alongside the Foundation’s accountant and Board Treasurer to produce quarterly financial reports.
• Ensures fiscal management to operate within the approved budget, ensure maximum resource utilization, and maintain the organization in a positive financial position.
• Recruits, cultivates, and stewards donor relationships while managing acknowledgment and tax correspondence to ensure ongoing engagement and compliance.
• Organizes and executes fundraising events and efforts on behalf of the Original Six Foundation.
• Identifies and pursues grant funding opportunities while developing compelling, high-quality proposals that secure financial support for the organization’s mission.

Organization Mission, Strategy, and Public Relations

• Works with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach.
• Oversees the implementation of the Original Six Foundation’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission of ensuring every child is provided a quality education regardless of where they are born and raised.
• Drives strategic planning activities to ensure that the Original Six Foundation can successfully fulfill its mission into the future.
• Enhances the Original Six Foundation’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations statewide. 
• Coordinates and updates digital communications, including the Foundation’s website and social media accounts, to strengthen visibility and stakeholder engagement.

Organization Operations

• Oversees organizational operations and implement the resources, systems, and processes necessary to support efficient and effective service delivery.
• Recruits, develops, and retains a high-performing team of qualified professionals committed to advancing the Foundation’s mission.
• Directs the day-to-day administration of the Original Six Foundation, including oversight of facilities, insurance, licensing, vendor relationships, and other operational requirements.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution is required for consideration.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising and nonprofit management or related field.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Experience and skill in working with a Board of Trustees.
• Prior fundraising experience is required for consideration.
• Grant writing experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Transparent and high integrity leadership.
• High level strategic thinking and planning.
• Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, and donors.
• Ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission to donors, volunteers, and the overall community.
• Excellent donor relations skills and understanding of the funding community.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff and volunteers.
• Previous success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders, partner agencies and volunteers.
• Solid organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong public speaking ability.
• Exceptional work ethic with a high degree of energy.
• Training using Blackbaud’s eTapestry donor management software is helpful, but not required.

The ideal Executive Director is a mission-driven, entrepreneurial leader who is equally comfortable building relationships in boardrooms, engaging community partners, connecting with educators, and inspiring donors to invest in the organization’s future. This individual is fundamentally a fundraiser and ambassador—someone who understands that the Foundation’s ability to expand its impact across South Carolina depends on developing meaningful relationships, cultivating sustainable revenue streams, and telling a compelling story about educational opportunity and student success.

This leader is someone who recognizes untapped potential, brings disciplined energy to emerging opportunities, and can create forward momentum amid complexity and ambiguity. They are well suited to an organization with a strong foundation and meaningful room for growth, and they will be energized by the opportunity to broaden its visibility, deepen its influence, and strengthen its long-term impact. Rather than merely preserving what has already been established, they will bring the judgment, imagination, and strategic focus necessary to guide the Foundation into its next stage of thoughtful, sustainable growth.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional relationship builder with the credibility and executive presence to engage a wide range of stakeholders. They will navigate comfortably among major donors, corporate leaders, education partners, elected officials, board members, and community advocates, building trust and inspiring confidence along the way. They understand how to bring people together around a shared vision and have a demonstrated ability to convert relationships into meaningful partnerships, financial support, and organizational opportunities.

While highly strategic and externally focused, the ideal leader will remain deeply connected to the mission and impact of the Foundation’s work. They will take the time to understand the students, schools, and communities being served and will be able to translate those outcomes into compelling stories that resonate with donors, partners, and stakeholders. They recognize that the organization’s credibility and fundraising success are rooted in its programmatic impact and will ensure that growth and resource development remain aligned with mission delivery.

This individual is also a thoughtful organizational leader who knows how to build talent. They will inherit a highly respected and capable team and will approach leadership with humility, collaboration, and trust. Rather than attempting to be the expert in every area, they will empower strong internal staff, create alignment around priorities, and establish the systems, processes, and infrastructure necessary to support future growth.

Perhaps most importantly, this leader will bring the vision and maturity required to guide the Foundation through its next chapter. They will help establish a clear strategic direction, build a more diversified and sustainable funding model, strengthen statewide partnerships, and position the organization to expand its impact responsibly and effectively. They will honor the strong foundation already established while bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and a relentless commitment to ensuring that more children across South Carolina have access to quality educational opportunities.