Description of the California Dictionary Project
The California Dictionary Project (www.californiadictionaryproject.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to distribute dictionaries annually to third-grade students in California's public schools. With headquarters in San Francisco, our organization is run entirely by unpaid volunteers. With the motto "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader," the California Dictionary Project believes that by reaching children early, providing them with tools (dictionaries), personalizing the delivery (volunteers from the local community), and teaching them how to use those tools (classroom presentations), we can grow “readers.” The dictionaries are gifts, so the students can take the dictionaries home and use them throughout their school career. Community and corporate volunteers go into the classrooms on each district's "Dictionary Day" to distribute the dictionaries and spend time teaching the children how to use their new books.
Since our inception in 2002, we've donated more than 150,000 dictionaries to school districts in Northern and Southern California. Once we start donating in a district, we commit to returning every year. We generally focus on low-performing districts.
Responsibilities
The California Dictionary Project is seeking an Executive Director. This is a work at home position. Responsibilities include the following:
- Implementing and setting the Project’s strategic goals and policies in conjunction with the Board of Directors
- Fundraising, including identifying funding sources (foundations, corporations, and individuals), grant writing, and building the Project’s private donor base through major donor campaigns and membership drives
- Positioning the Project as an effective, vital organization in the community by promoting our mission, building collaborations and partnerships, and developing communication strategies
- Day-to-day management of the Project, including membership and volunteer coordination, board relations, and financial accounting and reporting
The Executive Director position is a unique opportunity for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit who is passionate about helping and empowering youth, igniting and providing leadership opportunities for a strong volunteer base, and excited about taking a grass-roots organization to the next level.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a deep understanding and passion for helping young children to read. Ideal candidates will have nonprofit or other leadership experience including working with or leading a team of volunteers. He/she must also have a successful track record in fundraising and thinking strategically to plan, implement, and evaluate new and existing programs focused on key priorities within organization mission, goals, and resources. Experience identifying and building strategic partnerships is a plus. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills with a strong ability to effectively communicate with multiple constituencies (i.e. working with school district administrators and educators, community organizations, and donors).
Salary and Benefits
This is an unpaid part-time volunteer position. We estimate that the position will require approximately 10 to 20 hours per week.
To Apply:
Please mail a resume and cover letter to:
California Dictionary Project
Post Office Box 31939
San Francisco, CA 94131-0939
or email your resume to info@californiadictionaryproject.org.
