The Compton Foundation, based in Redwood City, California, is seeking an Executive Director.

The Compton Foundation's history began in 1946 with the compassionate and far-sighted vision of Dorothy and Randolph Compton. Shortly after the United States entered World War II, all four of their children chose to serve their country. The untimely death of the youngest son, the tragic loss of so many people, and the impact of this devastating war on the whole world moved Dorothy and Randolph to establish a charitable trust whose primary mission was to build the "foundations" for peace and to help prevent another world war.

The Founders' vision, coupled with a spirit to address the most urgent threats to humanity, have been a hallmark of the Foundation since its beginning. Today, in a world that is increasingly interrelated, the Foundation seeks to foster human and ecological security by addressing contemporary threats to these inalienable rights. The Foundation supports responsible stewardship that respects the rights of future generations to a balanced and healthy environment, both personal and global, allowing for the full richness of human experience. The Foundation envisions a world in which humans live in harmony with each other, and in sustainable balance with the earth.

To realize this vision, the Compton Foundation focuses most of its grantmaking in the areas of Peace & Security, Environment & Sustainability, and Population & Reproductive Health, with a special emphasis on projects that explore the interconnections between these fields. It also actively supports visual and performing art that expresses and gives meaning and purpose to each of its core program areas, as both a creative and critical element of its grantmaking philosophy. In addition, the Foundation makes a small number of grants to support campaign finance reform.

The Foundation seeks to foster positive and sustainable models of change, believing that research and activism should inform each other, and that both perspectives are necessary for productive public debate and effective policy change. The Foundation encourages creative collaboration between organizations, institutions, and foundations, and projects that advance human knowledge by connecting theory with practice.

Complementing its three major program areas, the Foundation has developed two significant fellowship programs. The Compton International Fellowship Program focuses exclusively on graduate students from Central and South America and sub-Saharan Africa who are pursuing advanced degrees in Peace & Security, Population & Reproductive Health, or Environment & Sustainability, and whose research interests involve exploring the linkages between two or more of these fields of study within the context of their home region or country.

The Compton Mentor Fellowship Program supports American students who are just graduating from college and who have designed a yearlong project of unique social merit that focuses on the environment & climate change, peace & conflict resolution, reproductive & sexual health, and/or equal opportunity. The Mentor Fellowship Program is based on the belief that truly life-changing experiences can occur when formal learning is inspired by model practitioners and transformed by action. A central component of the Mentor Fellowship is the relationship that develops between the fellow and his or her chosen mentor, who provides guidance, encouragement, and practical opportunities.

The Compton Family Advisory Board was created in 2000 to provide the third (and now fourth) generations of Compton family members and their spouses a greater opportunity to participate in the Foundation's philanthropic activities. The Family Advisory Board supports creative projects in the Arts, Children & Youth, Sustainable Living, and Spiritual Awareness, and is particularly interested in funding projects that build innovative bridges between these categories.

The Foundation is based in Redwood City, California. It is governed by a 10-person Board of Directors, made up of five family members and five non-family members who bring expertise in one or more of the Foundation's specific areas of interest. Seven professional staff and two consultants provide program support and grants management for the Foundation's activities. Several Board committees explore more deeply the opportunities in each program area and address ongoing governance and responsible investing issues. In 2008, the Foundation made grants of approximately $4.5 million.

For over 63 years Dorothy and Randolph Compton's vision has infused the spirit and purpose of the Compton Foundation. Times have changed and the Foundation recognizes new approaches and new problems, but it continues to honor the Founders' ideas and values and the world challenges they met with such passion and generosity.

The Executive Director works closely with the President, the Executive Committee, the Board and the Family Advisory Board in implementing the Foundation's mission. The Executive Director should be a person who brings an authentic passion for social justice, human and ecological wellbeing, and the ideals expressed by the Board of Directors and the Family Advisory Board. Moreover, the Executive Director should be a person who is a source of confidence and trust for the Board, staff, family members, foundation partners, and grantees alike.

Working with an active and involved Board, the Executive Director develops and implements programs and explores and introduces new ideas where appropriate. The Executive Director supports the Board and Family Advisory Board in all aspects of their work, and provides leadership in managing program and administrative functions and staff.

The Executive Director should be a person who thrives on working in partnership with others and finding creative ways to support the Board of Directors in their governance of the Foundation.

The broad goals and responsibilities of the Executive Director include:

• Promoting efforts that can lead to a vibrant and sustainable future by continuing to work with and make best use of the Foundation's Board of Directors, the Family Advisory Board, staff, and philanthropic partners.
• Planning, preparing and presenting materials for all Board and Family Advisory Board meetings, including proposal review and analysis, as well as grant and financial reporting.
• Supervising the staff, overseeing grant management and office administration, and working with internal and external financial asset advisors, managers, and auditors to invest, monitor and safeguard the Foundation's assets.
• Exploring the Foundation's interest areas, learning from colleagues, grantees, and other experts, and making recommendations for new initiatives and Board action.
• Ensuring that the Foundation is in compliance with all relevant laws governing the operations of a private foundation.

Beyond these goals and responsibilities, the Executive Director should ideally possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Professional Qualifications:

• A minimum of five years of experience in philanthropy, with a demonstrated knowledge of the laws, strategies, and mechanics of grantmaking.
• Substantive background and professional experience in at least one and ideally two of the Foundation's main program areas.
• The capacity and desire to work with a dedicated and involved family foundation board.
• Solid management and administrative skills, with knowledge of budgets, finance and strategic planning.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a diverse range of people from different sectors, fields and perspectives.

Personal Attributes

• A passionate commitment to the mission, values and evolving philanthropic vision of the Foundation.
• Empathy and a desire to listen, work with and empower others.
• Impeccable ethics.
• A sense of humor and a commitment to inclusivity and the open exploration of new ideas.
• An ability to take the initiative, stay grounded, lead, be trustworthy, and give credit and recognition to others.
• An understanding of and commitment to the particular contributions that can be made by a robust and creative civil society sector.

The Compton Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter explaining how your skills and background fit this position and a resume to resumes@explorecompany.com.

Daniel Sherman
President
Explore Company
5 Rokeby Court
Kensington, Maryland 20895
Fax: 301.933.8990

The Compton Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.