The Fund for Portland Public Schools
Executive Director
The Fund for Portland Public Schools, Portland, Oregon, United States, 97204
The Fund for PPS is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to raising philanthropic funds and forging strategic partnerships to support Portland Public Schools (PPS), its students, and families. Established in 2019, The Fund harnesses the generosity of Portland’s community to strengthen opportunities for every student to experience inclusive, joyful, and rigorous learning.
With strong support for public education in Portland, The Fund for PPS is poised to expand its reach and impact. Our signature initiative,
Champion PPS Schools , launched in 2025 with over $1 million in investments for high-impact tutoring, math supports, food pantries, and family assistance. We believe now is the time to accelerate momentum and invite our community to be champions for all PPS students. For more information, please visit www.fundforpps.org Position Summary
The Fund for PPS seeks an
experienced nonprofit leader and fundraiser
to serve as its Executive Director under a contractor agreement. The ED will refine and execute an existing fundraising plan, including launching a major giving campaign, planning and implementing events, and strengthening brand visibility. This role requires a creative and entrepreneurial leader with proven fundraising experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for public education. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, PPS community, and community partners to increase unrestricted and program-specific revenue and ensure the sustainability of The Fund. The Fund’s work is inherently local and centered on the PPS community. The ED should come from within the Portland community, have a familiarity with the breadth of Portland Public Schools footprint and mission, and demonstrate longstanding, positive relationships, including with local and regional individuals and organizations with the potential to become supporters of public education. Key Responsibilities
Fundraising & Resource Development : Design and execute a multi-channel fundraising strategy (major gifts, annual campaigns, corporate partnerships, and events). Lead the
Champion PPS Schools
campaign and meet/exceed annual fundraising goals. Cultivate and steward donor relationships to grow both unrestricted and program-specific revenue. Leadership & Strategy : Collaborate with the Board of Directors to advance organizational goals. Serve as a visible spokesperson for The Fund, building awareness and credibility in the community. Partner with PPS leadership to ensure fundraising efforts align with district needs and equity priorities. Communications & Outreach : Develop compelling messaging to inspire broad-based community support. Represent The Fund at events, community meetings, and in the media. Engage PPS families, alumni, civic leaders, and philanthropic partners in building support for public education. Organizational Management : Manage day-to-day operations of The Fund (with Board support and contracted services). Ensure strong fiscal accountability, reporting, and compliance with nonprofit best practices. Prepare regular updates and reports for the Board of Directors. Qualifications
5+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit, philanthropy, or related fields. Demonstrated success in fundraising ($1M+ annually), including major gifts and campaigns. Excellent communication skills: public speaking, storytelling, and donor engagement. Strong organizational and project management skills. Commitment to educational equity and community-driven solutions. Ability to work independently while collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Based in Portland with deep roots and connections in the local community. Compensation
This position is structured as a
one-year independent contractor agreement . Compensation will be provided as a
flat monthly retainer , commensurate with experience and market benchmarks. At the end of the contract term, the Board of Directors will conduct a comprehensive performance review. Based on results, The Fund may offer a
contract renewal and/or rate adjustment
to reflect demonstrated performance and organizational growth. Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a
cover letter and résumé
to info@fundforpps.org by October 24, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The Fund for PPS is an equal opportunity organization. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, and we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process.
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Champion PPS Schools , launched in 2025 with over $1 million in investments for high-impact tutoring, math supports, food pantries, and family assistance. We believe now is the time to accelerate momentum and invite our community to be champions for all PPS students. For more information, please visit www.fundforpps.org Position Summary
The Fund for PPS seeks an
experienced nonprofit leader and fundraiser
to serve as its Executive Director under a contractor agreement. The ED will refine and execute an existing fundraising plan, including launching a major giving campaign, planning and implementing events, and strengthening brand visibility. This role requires a creative and entrepreneurial leader with proven fundraising experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for public education. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, PPS community, and community partners to increase unrestricted and program-specific revenue and ensure the sustainability of The Fund. The Fund’s work is inherently local and centered on the PPS community. The ED should come from within the Portland community, have a familiarity with the breadth of Portland Public Schools footprint and mission, and demonstrate longstanding, positive relationships, including with local and regional individuals and organizations with the potential to become supporters of public education. Key Responsibilities
Fundraising & Resource Development : Design and execute a multi-channel fundraising strategy (major gifts, annual campaigns, corporate partnerships, and events). Lead the
Champion PPS Schools
campaign and meet/exceed annual fundraising goals. Cultivate and steward donor relationships to grow both unrestricted and program-specific revenue. Leadership & Strategy : Collaborate with the Board of Directors to advance organizational goals. Serve as a visible spokesperson for The Fund, building awareness and credibility in the community. Partner with PPS leadership to ensure fundraising efforts align with district needs and equity priorities. Communications & Outreach : Develop compelling messaging to inspire broad-based community support. Represent The Fund at events, community meetings, and in the media. Engage PPS families, alumni, civic leaders, and philanthropic partners in building support for public education. Organizational Management : Manage day-to-day operations of The Fund (with Board support and contracted services). Ensure strong fiscal accountability, reporting, and compliance with nonprofit best practices. Prepare regular updates and reports for the Board of Directors. Qualifications
5+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit, philanthropy, or related fields. Demonstrated success in fundraising ($1M+ annually), including major gifts and campaigns. Excellent communication skills: public speaking, storytelling, and donor engagement. Strong organizational and project management skills. Commitment to educational equity and community-driven solutions. Ability to work independently while collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Based in Portland with deep roots and connections in the local community. Compensation
This position is structured as a
one-year independent contractor agreement . Compensation will be provided as a
flat monthly retainer , commensurate with experience and market benchmarks. At the end of the contract term, the Board of Directors will conduct a comprehensive performance review. Based on results, The Fund may offer a
contract renewal and/or rate adjustment
to reflect demonstrated performance and organizational growth. Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a
cover letter and résumé
to info@fundforpps.org by October 24, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The Fund for PPS is an equal opportunity organization. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, and we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process.
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