Executive Director of Development, Strategy & Expansion

Executive Director of Development, Strategy & Expansion

Youth RISE Foundation

Expected Commitment: 10–15 hours per week

Location: Remote / Flexible

Reports To: President & Chief Executive Officer

Department: Development, Strategy & Expansion

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

Youth RISE Foundation is seeking an individual who wants to contribute meaningful work whilegrowing alongside a developing nonprofit organization.

This opportunity is intentionally structured around amanageable 10–15 hour weekly commitment. We recognize that candidates may also be students, working professionals, entrepreneurs, caregivers, or involved in other organizations and responsibilities.

The position is currentlyunpaid and does not guarantee compensation or future employment.

We are looking for someone who wants to use a portion of their time to gain meaningful leadership experience, strengthen their professional skills, contribute to Youth RISE Foundation, and grow with the organization.

About Youth RISE Foundation

Youth RISE Foundation is a youth-centered nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people ages 15–25 through mentorship, leadership development, educational support, career exploration, community engagement, and service.

As Youth RISE continues to develop, we are building a leadership team of individuals who are willing tolearn, contribute, collaborate, and grow together.

Our leadership opportunities are particularly suited for emerging professionals and individuals who want practical experience in nonprofit leadership and organizational development.

About the Position

TheExecutive Director of Development, Strategy & Expansion will help Youth RISE Foundation identify opportunities to grow its programs, partnerships, resources, geographic reach, and organizational capacity.

This individual will work closely with the President & CEO and other executive leaders to support the development and execution of strategies that move the organization forward.

The position combines three major areas:

Development — helping identify resources, funding opportunities, relationships, and partnerships.

Strategy — helping the organization think critically about its future, priorities, programs, and opportunities.

Expansion — helping identify and evaluate opportunities for Youth RISE to grow its presence, programming, partnerships, and community impact.

This position is particularly well suited for someone who hassome relevant experience and wants to develop stronger strategic and executive leadership skills.

You do not need to have previously held an executive title.

Core Responsibilities

Development

• Research potential grant opportunities and funding sources.
• Identify foundations, corporations, sponsors, donors, and other potential partners.
• Assist with development and fundraising strategies.
• Research opportunities for sustainable organizational funding.
• Maintain prospective funding and partnership pipelines.
• Support development of fundraising materials and strategies.
• Identify opportunities for corporate and community sponsorships.
• Assist leadership with development-related research and recommendations.

Strategic Planning

• Participate in organizational strategic planning.
• Conduct research relevant to Youth RISE's mission and programs.
• Identify emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges.
• Help develop short-term and long-term organizational priorities.
• Assist with evaluating strategic initiatives.
• Provide recommendations to executive leadership.
• Help translate organizational goals into practical initiatives.
• Support periodic reviews of organizational progress.

Organizational Expansion

• Research communities where Youth RISE may have future opportunities to operate.
• Identify potential regional, educational, nonprofit, corporate, and community partners.
• Research potential new programs and initiatives.
• Assist with evaluating expansion opportunities.
• Develop preliminary expansion recommendations.
• Help create expansion strategies and implementation concepts.
• Research potential chapter, regional, or program models.

Partnerships

• Identify organizations aligned with Youth RISE's mission.
• Research potential strategic partnerships.
• Assist with partnership development.
• Help maintain a partnership pipeline.
• Support preparation for partnership meetings.
• Develop partnership concepts and recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative programs and initiatives.

Executive Leadership

• Participate in appropriate executive leadership meetings.
• Provide updates on assigned initiatives.
• Present recommendations when appropriate.
• Collaborate with other executive leaders.
• Take ownership of designated strategic projects.
• Support the President & CEO on development and expansion priorities.
• Help connect organizational ideas with practical opportunities.

Growth & Professional Development

This position is designed for someone who wants togrow with the organization.

You will have the opportunity to strengthen skills in areas including:

• Executive leadership
• Strategic planning
• Nonprofit management
• Fundraising
• Grant research
• Business development
• Partnership development
• Organizational expansion
• Research and analysis
• Project management
• Professional communication
• Strategic decision-making
• Organizational development

As you demonstrate knowledge, reliability, initiative, and leadership, you may be given opportunities to take ownership of increasingly significant projects.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is:

• Motivated.
• Dependable.
• Organized.
• Curious.
• Willing to learn.
• Comfortable conducting research.
• A strong communicator.
• Able to work independently.
• Comfortable collaborating with leadership.
• Interested in nonprofit development and organizational growth.
• Interested in strengthening their leadership skills.
• Passionate about youth development and community impact.

Most importantly, we want someone who wants tobuild with us.

You do not need to know everything.

You need to be willing to learn, contribute, communicate, and follow through.

Preferred Experience

Some relevant experience is preferred, but extensive executive experience isnot required.

Experience may come from:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Student organizations
• Business
• Entrepreneurship
• Fundraising
• Grant research
• Marketing
• Public relations
• Public affairs
• Community engagement
• Program development
• Project management
• Strategic planning
• Leadership
• Administrative work
• Higher education
• Corporate partnerships

Students, recent graduates, emerging professionals, and individuals transitioning into nonprofit leadership are encouraged to apply.

Time Commitment

10–15 hours per week

The position is intentionally structured around amanageable and flexible 10–15 hour weekly commitment.

Youth RISE understands that individuals have other professional, educational, and personal commitments.

The role does not require a traditional 9-to-5 schedule.

Compensation

Currently Unpaid

This position is currently unpaid and does not guarantee salary, wages, benefits, or future employment.

If Youth RISE Foundation develops the financial capacity to provide compensation for this or similar work in the future, any compensation would be subject to organizational approval, applicable law, and an appropriate written agreement.

Approved expense reimbursement or other permitted support may be available in accordance with Foundation policies.

What You Can Gain

Through this opportunity, you may gain:

• Executive leadership experience
• Nonprofit development experience
• Strategic planning experience
• Fundraising exposure
• Partnership-development experience
• Organizational expansion experience
• Professional networking
• Project leadership experience
• Opportunities to work directly with executive leadership
• Professional references based on demonstrated performance
• A stronger professional portfolio
• Increased confidence in leadership and decision-making

You will have an opportunity tohelp build a growing organization rather than simply step into an already-established system.

Our Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate may be someone who says:

"I have some experience, I want to strengthen my skills, and I want an opportunity where I can actually help build something."

We are not looking for someone who simply wants an impressive title.

We are looking for someone who wants tolearn, contribute, develop professionally, and grow alongside Youth RISE Foundation.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

1. Resume or professional profile
2. Brief statement of interest
3. Relevant experience or skills
4. Approximate weekly availability

A lengthy cover letter is not required.

We want to understandwho you are, what you bring, why this opportunity interests you, and what you hope to develop through the experience.

Why Join Youth RISE?

Youth RISE Foundation is being built by people who believe that leadership is not simply about having experience — it is also about having the willingness tolearn, serve, and build something better.

This opportunity allows you to contribute approximately10–15 hours each week while developing practical leadership experience and helping shape the future of a growing youth-serving nonprofit.

If you're looking for a traditional paid executive position,this opportunity is not that.

If you're looking for a meaningful, flexible opportunity tolearn, lead, develop your skills, and grow alongside an organization, we encourage you to apply.

Youth RISE Foundation

Resources • Inspiration • Service • Empowerment