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Job Description
The Board of Directors of the Blueprint Foundation is seeking a full-time Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and increase community impact. The Blueprint Foundation is a Portland-based nonprofit created to eliminate opportunity gaps for Black youth and communities of color by connecting mentorship, environmental stewardship, and workforce development. Founded in 2015 by members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Blueprint was built in response to disparities in education and access for Black students in Portland. The organization uses culturally specific, nature-based learning to help young people see themselves as leaders in the environmental and green jobs sectors. Through programs like Grounding Waters, Sowing Seeds, Change is in the Air, Connecting Canopies, Salmon Watch, and Green Workforce Academy, participants explore ecosystems, environmental justice, sustainability, construction, urban forestry, and career pathways. Blueprint's work is rooted in the belief that reconnecting Black youth to land, community, culture, and mentorship can build confidence, advocacy, and long-term opportunity. At its core, Blueprint prepares young people to care for themselves, their communities, and the environment.
Position Summary:
The Executive Director will work closely with staff, board members, funders, partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen internal systems, deepen partnerships, guide strategic planning, and ensure the organization has the resources, structure, and accountability needed to sustain its programs and expand its impact. Reporting to the Executive Committee, the Executive Director will provide day-to-day leadership, fundraising strategy, operational oversight, financial management, and staff supervision. This role is responsible for advancing Blueprint's mission to eliminate opportunity gaps for youth and communities of color through culturally specific mentorship, environmental stewardship, and career-connected learning.
Who Should Apply:
The ideal candidate for Blueprint's Executive Director role is a steady, relational, and community-centered leader who can bring clarity, structure, and trust to the organization's next chapter. They are deeply committed to youth of color, culturally responsive mentorship, environmental justice, and pathways into green careers. This person is both people-centered and operationally strong, with the ability to lead staff, support board alignment, manage funding and compliance, and strengthen organizational systems. They are visible in the community, confident with funders and partners, and skilled at navigating complexity with transparency and integrity. Most importantly, they can honor Blueprint's legacy while building a sustainable future.
Required Experience:
At least 5 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience; the ability to lead day-to-day operations, supervise staff, support performance management, and guide internal decision-making Strong financial and operational oversight with a deep understanding of budget development, financial reporting, grant compliance, reimbursement tracking, internal systems, and working with a CPA or finance committee Fundraising and development experience; acquiring and maintaining government contracts and understanding how to manage grant processes, individual donors, corporate partners, major gifts, and stewardship People management and culture development; has experience leading a team of at least 3 people, developing and coaching, addressing interpersonal conflict, building morale, and establishing clear roles and responsibilities Community relations and partnership-building experience; the ability to serve as Blueprint's public representative to funders, partners, media, community organizations, mentors, donors, and public agencies Strong experience in design and managing culturally responsive programming; working with youth and families from communities of color, including an equity and racial justice lens Strategic planning and organizational structure experience, including the ability to turn goals into clear milestones, align staff and board around a shared direction
Preferred Experience:
Prior Executive Director, Deputy Director, or senior director-level experience, especially in an organization of similar or larger size Youth mentorship, education, workforce development, or environmental justice experience, especially with nature-based learning, green jobs, construction, environmental stewardship, or culturally specific youth development Experience building HR systems, staff development structures, and professional development plans, including training, onboarding, conflict resolution, and accountability processes Experience navigating board relationships and governance, including communicating organizational needs, helping board members understand staff/program realities, and creating shared expectations between board and staff Local or Northwest community knowledge is preferred, but not required if the candidate has demonstrated experience with culturally specific, community-based organizations and is willing to build relationships in the Portland Metro area
First Year Priorities:
Foster an environment that is built on trust, communication, and psychological safety Clarify roles, responsibilities, reporting lines, and expectations across staff and board Strengthen financial oversight, including budgets, grants, contracts, reimbursements, and compliance Build a clear fundraising plan that includes grants, individual donors, corporate partners, and stewardship Create a shared organizational direction that aligns programs, staff, board, and partners around Blueprint's next chapter How to
Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Marshawna Williams at: marshawna@theblueprintfoundation.org by July 3rd, 2026. Cover letters should be addressed to the board of directors and should describe the candidate's interest in the Executive Director position, relevant experience, and connection to The Blueprint Foundation's mission.
