Position Profile

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) seeks a mission-driven, innovative, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as its next Executive Director.

About the Foundation

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation raises funds and amplifies community resources to provide students in the Lake Washington School District with what they need to thrive, now and in the future. Every gift and every partnership is directed toward a single purpose: helping students learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Serving the Lake Washington School District in the Eastside of greater Seattle, LWSF supports students and families across Redmond, Kirkland, and Sammamish, Washington. Lake Washington School District is the second-largest public school district in Washington State and serves a diverse and growing community.

LWSF works in partnership with educators, families, local businesses, community organizations, and generous neighbors who believe that strong public schools are the bedrock of a thriving community. LWSF remains nimble, personal, and closely connected to the students, educators, and classrooms it serves while delivering meaningful and measurable impact.

The Foundation is well established and deeply supported throughout the Lake Washington School District community for over 20 years.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal and energizing moment to lead the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.

Following a period of steady growth and careful stewardship, the Foundation is well positioned for its next chapter. The current Executive Director is concluding their tenure, and the Board of Trustees is leading a search for the next Executive Director

The next Executive Director will inherit significant strengths: deep community goodwill, an established and loyal donor base, a committed Board of Trustees, a capable staff, and a strong partnership with the Lake Washington School District (LWSD).

At the heart of LWSF's work is its relationship with LWSD. The Foundation listens to the needs of educators and district leaders, identifies opportunities where philanthropic resources can make a meaningful difference, and connects the generosity of the community with programs and initiatives that benefit students.

With these foundations firmly in place, the incoming leader will have a significant opportunity to shape the Foundation's next chapter—expanding its reach and impact, strengthening and diversifying revenue, deepening community partnerships, and welcoming more of the Eastside community into the shared work of supporting students.

This is an opportunity to build on a strong legacy while helping to define what comes next.

Priorities for the Next Executive Director

The next Executive Director will be expected to:

Build the future of LWSF. Shape and champion the long-term vision of the organization while driving disciplined execution, operational excellence, and measurable impact across all programs, partnerships, and functions.
Strengthen and grow fundraising. Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy spanning annual giving, major gifts, events, grants, corporate partnerships, and sponsorships, with particular emphasis on expanding sustainable and diversified revenue.
Deepen relationships. Strengthen relationships with individual donors, businesses, community leaders, educators, district leadership, families, and other partners while expanding LWSF's visibility and reach throughout the community.
Strengthen the Foundation's partnership with LWSD. Maintain a close, productive, and appropriately independent relationship with district leadership, schools, and educators while ensuring that philanthropic investments are aligned with meaningful student needs and opportunities.
Engage and leverage the Board. Partner with the Board of Trustees on strategy and governance while engaging trustees as ambassadors, advocates, connectors, and fundraisers.
Build organizational capacity. Hire, lead, mentor, and support the staff while assessing systems, processes, and resources needed for the Foundation's next stage of growth.
Strengthen impact measurement and storytelling. Develop clear ways to measure, evaluate, and communicate the impact of LWSF investments to donors, trustees, educators, community partners, and the broader community.
Ensure sound financial stewardship. Maintain strong budgeting, forecasting, financial controls, reporting, compliance, and organizational policies that honor donor trust and position the Foundation for sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

The Executive Director is the Foundation's chief executive and reports to the Board of Trustees. Leading a small, dedicated staff, the Executive Director combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution across the organization's fundraising, programs, operations, communications, and community engagement.

Fundraising and Resource Development

Lead the Foundation's overall fundraising strategy across annual giving, major gifts, events, grants, corporate sponsorships, and other revenue opportunities.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, corporate partners, community leaders, and other key supporters.
Build a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and engage trustees as active fundraising partners.
Strengthen donor acquisition, retention, stewardship, and communications.
Identify new opportunities to diversify and increase sustainable revenue.

Board Partnership and Governance

Partner with the Board of Trustees to develop strategic direction, establish priorities, and evaluate organizational performance.
Serve as an ex-officio member of Board committees, engaging trustees strategically to advance the Foundation's fundraising, governance, and programmatic priorities.
Provide the Board with timely, accurate, and meaningful information to support effective oversight and decision-making.
Foster a strong partnership between the Board and staff while maintaining clear governance and management roles.

Staff Leadership and Organizational Development

Lead, mentor, and support the Foundation's staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, accountable, and mission-driven culture.
Establish clear goals, priorities, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
Assess organizational capacity and strengthen systems and processes as the Foundation grows.
Ensure staff have the resources, tools, and support needed to deliver results.

Financial Stewardship

Serve as a data-informed and financially disciplined steward of the Foundation's resources.
Oversee annual budgeting, financial forecasting, financial controls, reporting, and compliance.
Work closely with the Board Treasurer, Finance Committee, and financial professionals to ensure sound financial management.
Ensure the Foundation's financial practices reflect transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of donor resources.

Programs and Impact

Guide the design, evaluation, and delivery of programs and philanthropic investments so that resources reach students effectively.
Work closely with district and school leaders to understand emerging needs and opportunities.
Establish meaningful metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and inform future investment.
Communicate outcomes and impact through compelling data, stories, and evidence.

Community and District Relations

Serve as a highly visible ambassador and spokesperson for LWSF.
Develop and maintain strong relationships across Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, and the broader Eastside community.
Strengthen partnerships with local businesses, civic organizations, families, educators, and community leaders.
Nurture the Foundation's central partnership with Lake Washington School District, its schools, and its leaders.
Represent LWSF with credibility, integrity, sound judgment, and enthusiasm.

Candidate Profile

LWSF welcomes candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and career paths. We recognize that exceptional leaders may have developed their skills in nonprofit organizations, education, business, community organizations, philanthropy, or other sectors.

Must-Have Qualifications

Successful candidates will bring:

A demonstrated track record of successful fundraising, revenue development, and relationship building.
Experience leading people and managing budgets and organizational resources.
Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability and willingness to execute.
Sound public judgment, integrity, discretion, and credibility.
A demonstrated passion for public education and a commitment to understanding the opportunities and challenges facing public schools, students, and families.
An entrepreneurial, action-oriented, adaptable, and innovative approach to organizational leadership and business planning.
The ability to serve as a highly visible and compelling spokesperson who can inspire donors, volunteers, staff, partners, and community members.
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
The ability to work effectively with a volunteer Board of Trustees and diverse community stakeholders.

· Desired Attributes and Experience

The following experiences and qualities would strengthen a candidacy, though none is required:

Experience in education, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, a school-district partnership, or a community foundation.
A genuine connection to the Eastside and its communities in Redmond, Kirkland, and Sammamish.
Experience working with a volunteer governing board.
Experience cultivating major donors and corporate or community partnerships.
Strength in using data, storytelling, and communications to demonstrate impact.
Experience leading an organization through a period of growth or transition.
Familiarity with the opportunities and challenges facing public education and school communities.
An ability to build trust and productive relationships across diverse perspectives and constituencies.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a relationship-oriented and entrepreneurial leader who combines strategic vision with a willingness to roll up their sleeves.

They will be equally comfortable presenting to community leaders, meeting one-on-one with a major donor, working collaboratively with district leadership, coaching staff, engaging trustees, reviewing financial information, and turning ideas into action.

Above all, the successful candidate will bring genuine enthusiasm for the Foundation's mission and a belief that strong public schools create stronger communities.

What Success Will Look Like

During the first 12–24 months, the successful Executive Director will:

Build strong and trusting relationships with the Board, staff, district leadership, donors, educators, and community partners.
Develop and implement a clear, measurable fundraising and revenue-growth strategy.
Strengthen major-gift, corporate, and community partnerships.
Improve donor stewardship and communications.
Establish clear measures for fundraising, programmatic, and organizational performance.
Strengthen financial and operational systems.
Increase awareness and understanding of LWSF's impact throughout the community.
Position the Foundation for sustainable long-term growth while preserving its strong community relationships and mission focus.

Compensation & Location

The Foundation offers competitive and equitable compensation. The anticipated salary range is $110,000–$140,000, based on market benchmarks and the candidate's experience.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid work schedule. The position includes employer-paid medical coverage, 11 paid federal holidays, 50 hours of sick leave annually, and 10 days of paid vacation. Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

The role is based in Redmond, Washington, and serves the Redmond, Kirkland, and Sammamish communities.

How to Apply

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation is conducting a Board-led search supported by a search consultant.

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to applications@lwsf.org. Applications received by September 30 will receive first consideration; the position will remain open until filled.

Questions, referrals, and nominations are warmly welcomed and may be directed to applications@lwsf.org. A member of the Board of Trustees is also available to serve as a point of contact for prospective candidates.

LWSF is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applicants of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to building a team and supporting a community that reflects the students and families we serve.

Lake Washington Schools Foundation

Executive Director

About the Job