Company Name
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
Company City
Newark
Company State
NJ
Job Location
Hybrid – Remote and Newark, NJ
Company Information
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation is a private Foundation based in Newark, New Jersey, that supports, centers, and connects communities and changemakers who are addressing the repair of structural racism and inequity in New Jersey by closing the racial wealth gap. Through the foresight and generosity of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, niece of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., the Foundation bearing her name was created in 1974. Mrs. Dodge’s will noted her particular interest in the arts, education, and the welfare of animals, while providing significant latitude and flexibility for the Foundation to evolve over time and address the critical issues of the day.
In addition to working to close the racial wealth gap, Dodge co-hosts with NJPAC the biennial Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, which attracts thousands of students, teachers, and poetry enthusiasts to Newark, New Jersey. Other signature initiatives Dodge helped launch include Sustainable Jersey and Creative New Jersey (now Gathering Ground), efforts aimed at connecting leaders across sectors, and promoting collaboration to help build movements for change through community-driven decision-making. The Foundation was a significant early supporter of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Center for Cooperative Media, and Jersey Water Works, all field-specific initiatives designed to build capacity. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Dodge was central in building and distributing $4 million raised from philanthropic partners through the New Jersey Recovery Fund. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation was a key partner in the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund and a founding funder of the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund.
In 2023, following a multi-year joint strategic planning process of its board and staff, the Dodge Foundation announced “The Path Forward” for an equitable New Jersey. This critical step for the organization defined levers and systems-change work aimed at transforming the state. To forge the path ahead, the Foundation has further refined its focus on closing the racial wealth gap. New Jersey is one of the wealthiest states in America, with one of the highest racial wealth gaps in the country. A just and equitable New Jersey begins by closing the gaps that prevent historically marginalized communities of color from having opportunities to thrive. The Foundation is committed to aligning its resources to address historical, institutional, and structural impediments so that New Jerseyans of all races and communities have what is needed to realize a quality life.
The Dodge Foundation operates with a staff of 11 and annual budget of $18 million, has made nearly $500 million in grants to date, and currently has $342 million in assets managed in perpetuity by a nine-member board. The 2024 grant-making budget is $11.9 million. It has a reputation as a transparent, patient funder that provides general operating support, project support, and technical assistance, which has helped nonprofits develop, thrive, and innovate.
Job Description
THE OPPORTUNITY
Equity is one of the most important issues facing society today, and foundations and nonprofits across the country are working to address inequities in the communities they serve. The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation (Foundation) is seeking a bold, innovative, and entrepreneurial new leader who will work with staff, board, and community partners to translate the organization’s mission not just into collective action, but into impact.
The Dodge Foundation is at an exciting inflection point, as it reaches the culmination of a multi-year transformation that started with a strategic planning effort in 2017. In 2020, as mobilizations for racial justice swept the country, and the pandemic exposed and exacerbated the devastating impacts of structural racism and inequity on people’s lives, the Dodge Foundation answered the call of these crises to imagine a new strategic direction and then to put action to its words.
Leaders knew that it was time to change the Foundation inside and out – to more deeply center racial equity and justice in all aspects of our work, and to transform its philanthropic approaches, using all of its resources—including grants, investments, capacity building, technical assistance, advocacy, and convening power—to build a just and equitable New Jersey where people of all races and communities have opportunities to thrive.
As part of aligning its operations with this new vision, the Foundation has relocated its headquarters to Newark to better engage with and learn from one of the communities where it already had numerous partners and where there is an active and shared commitment to dismantling systemic inequities. With the relocation also comes a strengthened focus on closing the racial wealth gap by investing in housing equity, economic security and mobility, and community infrastructure. Working in close collaboration with the board and staff, the new CEO will play a leading role in aligning our investments and operations with our new strategic framework.
The President and Chief Executive Officer leads, directs, and coordinates the activities of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation in accordance with policies, goals, and objectives established by the Board of Trustees.
Key Relationships
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Direct Reports
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, Programs
Vice President, People, Culture, and Equity
Board Liaison and Manager, Executive Office
Other Key Relationships
Director of Operations Grantees
Partners
Subject Matter Experts
Community Leaders Philanthropic Sector Leaders
State and Local Appointed and Elected Officials Media / Press
Job Qualifications
Strategic and Visionary Leadership
The Foundation has a strong reputation in the state of New Jersey and in the field of philanthropy. A combination of innovative and thoughtful programming and the employment of financial strategies and investments has allowed the Foundation to continue to impact the state of New Jersey. The next CEO will embody the following qualities:
- An innovative and intellectual thought leader and partner.
- A willingness to take informed risks, be proactive and nimble. Ability to use data and evidence to inform decision-making.
- Experience with change-management and willingness to think expansively about and take action on what is needed to implement an equity-focused strategic vision and to adapt or sunset other programs, as appropriate.
- Have the practical, emotional, and social skills to lead the Foundation through a time of impact-driven transition.
- Work with staff, board, current and future partners, and other stakeholders to communicate initiatives with transparency and clarity; and
- Advocate for intelligent change, modeling flexibility, adaptation, and openness to experimentation to advance the Foundation’s mission and vision.
Commitment and Authenticity
The Foundation envisions a just and equitable New Jersey where people of all races and communities have equitable access to opportunities to thrive. The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation supports, centers, and connects communities and change-makers who are addressing the root cause and repair of structural racism and inequity in New Jersey and is looking for a leader who will have:
- A passion for the vision, mission, and values of the Foundation and for New Jersey.
- An ability to foster a culture of inclusivity, transparency, encouragement, and willingness to learn from failures and successes.
- A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all New Jerseyans, particularly historically marginalized communities of color.
- Compassion and be a compelling advocate with the desire to make a deep and lasting impact; and
- Integrity and honesty.
- Relationship-Building and Collaboration
Partnering with and connecting people, organizations, and communities throughout the state is a key tenet of the Foundation’s vision to build an equitable New Jersey. This requires relationship-building and collaboration which are qualities that the new leader will need to embody. Specifically, the next CEO will have the ability to:
- Reinforce existing partnerships and build new strategic collaborations.
- Work effectively with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to leverage resources to serve New Jersey communities.
- Unite and work with an engaged and committed board and staff to further foster trust and confidence in decision-making and the direction of the Foundation.
- Influence and inspire a high-functioning team; and
- Effectively listen to and communicate with partners to inspire greater dialogue and leverage potential paths and solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
How to Apply
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation has retained Sally M. Sterling Executive Search to support the search for President and CEO. We welcome comments, nominations, or expressions of interest. All applicants are asked to include a letter of interest with their resume.
Please send an email with supporting materials to:
The full job description can be found on our website.