Foundation Executive Director

About the role

The Pennsylvania Automotive Association Foundation (PAAF) seeks a full‑time Executive Director based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The role involves approximately 25% travel across the state for donor meetings, conferences, and events. The Executive Director is responsible for fundraising, donor stewardship, operations, grant administration, trustee engagement, financial oversight, and event planning, driving strategies to grow the Foundation’s donor base and ensuring exceptional service and due diligence of Foundation assets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual fundraising strategies to grow charitable giving.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors through regular meetings and relationship management.
• Identify and engage new prospects to expand the Foundation’s donor base.
• Process charitable gifts and donor grant recommendations using Sage accounting software and the Foundation’s proprietary donor management system.
• Maintain accurate donor records and ensure timely gift acknowledgements.
• Plan and coordinate semiannual Foundation Trustee meetings, including agendas, reports, presentations, and logistics.
• Administer the PAA Tool Grant Program, including application review, approval, and distribution.
• Plan and execute the annual PAA Tool Grant Golf Outing and Silent Auction.
• Prepare reports, newsletters, marketing materials, and communications.
• Represent the Foundation with trustees, donors, prospective donors, corporate partners, and professional advisors.
• Collaborate with accounting staff to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Five or more years of nonprofit fundraising, development, philanthropy, or relationship‑management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of basic accounting and finance procedures.
• Proven success cultivating and securing major gifts.
• Willingness to travel throughout Pennsylvania.

Skills

• Excellent communication, organizational, and project‑management skills.
• Experience planning meetings and fundraising events.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Sage and donor‑management software preferred.