Are you a socially conscious, dedicated individual who is committed to building a better future for children, families, and their communities? If so, join us as we support early childhood education programs across the country to create positive outcomes for the children and families served.
About the Acelero Charitable Foundation
The Acelero Charitable Foundation exists to promote futures of infinite promise for children everywhere. Rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to high-quality early learning and strong family support, the Foundation invests in people, practices, and policies that drive meaningful change in the early childhood ecosystem. Our grantmaking spans research, direct support to families and educators, and initiatives that expand access to excellent early education across Public Systems.
We are seeking a Founding Executive Director to help bring our vision to life as we enter an exciting new chapter with a refined strategic direction and expanded philanthropic aspirations.
The Opportunity
As the Foundation’s first staff leader, the Founding Executive Director will play a pivotal role in building and stewarding a values-aligned, high-impact organization. You will launch and lead the Foundation’s strategic, fundraising, and grantmaking work, while managing essential operations. This is a rare opportunity to shape the identity and impact of a foundation with bold ambitions and deep roots in early childhood education.
What You'll Do
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development
Lead implementation of the Foundation’s strategic framework.
Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors; support governance, board development, and committee operations.
Build the internal systems and infrastructure needed for strong grantmaking, evaluation, and public transparency.
Fundraising & External Partnerships
Design and execute a diversified fundraising strategy targeting individual donors, major gift prospects, institutional funders, and public agencies.
Cultivate and steward relationships with philanthropic partners aligned to our mission.
Manage donor reporting and communications; ensure high standards of transparency and accountability.
Grantmaking & Program Oversight
Lead and evolve the Foundation’s grantmaking in three core investment areas.
Funding and publishing early childhood research.
Expanding access to high-quality early education across Public Systems.
Providing direct support to children, families, and educators.
Establish application processes, review committees, performance tracking, and grantee learning communities.
Provide high-level oversight and strategic guidance for all grant-funded initiatives.
Monitor overall grant portfolio performance, identifying key trends and areas for strategic intervention.
Evaluation, Learning, & Communications
Drive a research & learning agenda that prioritizes field insights, grantee voice, and continuous improvement.
Produce an annual public Impact Report focused on advancing quality early learning.
Represent the Foundation in the field and amplify research findings through thought leadership and collaborative initiatives
Who You Are
Strategic and entrepreneurial: You love building from the ground up and have a track record of scaling impact.
Passionate about early childhood equity: You bring a deep commitment to children, families, and the power of early education.
Experienced fundraiser: You know how to build relationships, write compelling proposals, and steward major gifts.
Nonprofit-savvy: You understand 501(c)(3) governance, public benefit requirements, and ethical grantmaking.
7+ years of leadership experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, or policy.
Demonstrated success in fundraising and external engagement.
Deep knowledge of early childhood systems and/or family engagement strategies strongly preferred.
Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.
Comfort navigating ambiguity and building new processes.
When/Where/How Much:
This is a part-time, fully remote position, with an estimated 20–25 hours per week.
Compensation will be commensurate with experience and competitive with similar foundation roles (part-time $66,000 - $100,000).
If you are ready to pair strategy with mission driven values, apply today and join the Acelero Charitable Foundation.
Why Acelero Learning or Shine Early Learning?
- Ability to make an impact in the lives of the children, families, and partners we serve
- Career growth and professional development opportunities
- Supportive working environment
- Average of 5 weeks of paid time off during 1st year of employment
- Comprehensive benefits, including 401K matching and 100% vesting program
We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy work place.
Skills Required
- 7+ years of leadership experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, or policy
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and external engagement
- Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills
- Comfort navigating ambiguity and building new processes
- Deep knowledge of early childhood systems and/or family engagement strategies
- Experience with 501(c)(3) governance, public benefit requirements, and ethical grantmaking
What We Do
Acelero Learning is an early childhood education provider that operates licensed Head Start centers and offers high-quality preschool education to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. It partners with families and communities, using rigorous, evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce gaps between children’s potential and achievement. Acelero Learning serves more than 5,000 children annually across multiple states and is a division of Acelero, Inc.
