Hiring Nonprofit Executive Directors & Fundraising Staff – Where to Find the Best Candidates

by William J. Moran, J.D., M.S.Ed.

Are you undertaking an executive search for an Executive Director, COO, Fundraising/Development Officer or other nonprofit position?  Where do you go to find the best candidates?

First, let’s assume that that you already have a written position description.  Having it in writing and approved by key decision makers, ensures agreement on the position responsibilities and the required qualifications.   In addition, the position description will give you “cover” if a board member, donor, or other constituent recommends an unqualified friend or colleague.  Finally, the description will give you a good idea of the needed characteristics of the person you are seeking.

Here are some suggestions how to “source” candidates in a nonprofit search.

1.  Define the candidates’ “community.”  Refer to the job description.  Where are candidates to be found?  Define the “community” of potential candidates.

• For an Executive Director/CEO position, often the “community” is defined as those with a nonprofit management background.  It may also be delineated by those with a certain background and training, (ex., M.S. in social work for a social service agency)?  Are you limiting yourself to candidates in the local area?  Regional community?  National?
• For a Development Officer, the “community” is usually based upon professional fundraising experience.  Is the “community” the local professional fundraising community? Regional? National?
• For a Controller or COO, often the “community” is those with a CPA, MBA or other financial qualifications?  Is the “community” limited to those with nonprofit financial experience or does it include those with for-profit financial experience?

2.  Identify associations and websites.  Identify the places where this “community” frequents.   Contact the associations encompassing your “community” (ex. The local CPA chapter for a finance position) to seek their advice on where to advertise the position.  Ask them for:

• Industry websites that post positions.
• Social media groups (ex. Linkedin groups) specific to their field where you can post the job.

3.  Post the position.  Post the position on nonprofit job websites, specific association websites and social media groups where candidates might be found.

4.  Seek out resource individuals.  What individuals might serve as resources to point you to candidates?  Referring to the job description and the defined “community”; develop a list of respected individuals who might know potential candidates.  Consider the following:

• Individuals in similar positions at other nonprofits.
• Nonprofit consultants who consult with individuals holding this position
• The staff of your nonprofit
• Other nonprofit Executive Directors/CEO’s
• Board members

Once resource individuals have been identified, approach them and seek their advice on where to find candidates.   How do you approach them? Here are some suggestions:

• Face-to-face meetings.  Resource individuals do far better with a list of names in front of them.  Bring a list of names to review together.  This could be the membership list of the local chapter for the position (ex., for a fundraising/development position, the membership list for the local Chapter of the AFP – Association of Fundraising Professionals)
• Telephone (Prior to the call, email them a list of names to review with you during the call.)

5.  Other Ways to Source Candidates. Here are other ways to source candidates:

• Mass e-mails to your contacts and “friends” on social media websites seeking potential candidates.
• Communications with the beneficiaries of your services

Good luck with your search.  Let us know if we can assist you or answer questions about our search services.

Bill Moran, The Moran Company, specializes in nonprofit executive searches for executive directors, development/fundraising staff and other top nonprofit leadership.

 © 2012 The Moran Company 
“We find great nonprofit executives”