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BREC FOUNDATION

Executive Director

BREC FOUNDATION, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, us, 70873

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Overview Job Title:

Executive Director

Organization:

BREC Foundation

Job Type:

Full-Time | Exempt

About the BREC Foundation

The BREC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises private support for BREC—the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge. Through philanthropic partnerships, we help transform public spaces into thriving community resources, advance capital projects, and expand access to recreational programming for all residents.

As BREC continues to grow and innovate, the Foundation is evolving to meet new challenges and opportunities. The Foundation is strengthening partnerships, expanding fundraising reach, and aligning efforts with key stakeholders, positioning the Foundation to play a more strategic and unified role across the BREC ecosystem.

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the BREC Foundation. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for building and leading a comprehensive development strategy that supports BREC’s priorities, advances capital and endowment fundraising, and strengthens community engagement.

This is a pivotal moment for the Foundation. The incoming ED will be tasked with establishing sustainable fundraising systems, expanding donor pipelines, activating the board in new ways, and increasing visibility and impact. They will also lead a unified development team supporting collaborative fundraising efforts across the BREC family of entities.

The position calls for a visionary and roll-up-your-sleeves leader who can build structure and strategy while cultivating relationships, securing gifts, and bringing people together around a shared mission.

Key Responsibilities

Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including an annual fund, major gifts, grants, planned giving, sponsorships, and special campaigns

Build a donor pipeline from annual supporters to major and planned gift prospects

Serve as the chief fundraiser and relationship manager with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners

Oversee donor stewardship, reporting, and recognition initiatives

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

Align fundraising strategy with BREC’s evolving capital needs and long-term vision

Lead a unified development function supporting Foundation priorities and collaborative campaigns

Partner with BREC leadership, the Zoo Foundation, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive messaging and donor engagement

Represent the Foundation in public, civic, and philanthropic spaces

Activate and support a fundraising board, with a focus on building a culture of philanthropy

Partner with the Board of Directors to refine governance, set strategy, and monitor progress

Provide tools, coaching, and opportunities for board members to participate meaningfully in donor cultivation and solicitation

Organizational & Team Leadership

Build internal fundraising infrastructure, including policies, procedures, and technology (e.g., donor database)

Supervise and grow a high-performing development team with the capacity to support major campaigns

Oversee budget, reporting, and compliance in collaboration with the Treasurer and finance staff

Improve internal systems related to donor relations, gift processing, grant writing, and reporting

Qualifications Required

Proven success in fundraising, including major gifts and capital campaigns

Experience leading or building a development team and strategy from the ground up

Strong relationship-building and communication skills with donors, board members, and civic leaders

Demonstrated ability to work across complex stakeholder groups, including public/private partnerships

Strategic thinker with operational know-how and entrepreneurial spirit

Preferred

Familiarity with parks, recreation, public infrastructure, or community development

Understanding of the Baton Rouge philanthropic and civic landscape

Prior experience managing staff, campaigns, or fundraising systems in a nonprofit or foundation setting

Experience supporting a board and cultivating a culture of philanthropy

Visionary leadership

Fundraising and donor strategy

Board activation and support

System building and process improvement

Cultural humility and community orientation

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. The BREC Foundation offers a benefits package aligned with nonprofit sector standards.

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