Executive Director

Leading a Community-Driven Network for Justice

The Appleseed Foundation seeks an Executive Director to guide the organization through a leadership transition and into its next chapter of growth and impact. This is an opportunity to steward a mature, highly respected, binational network of justice centers and to strengthen how Appleseed advances social justice solutions in partnership with communities most affected by the problems we are trying to solve.

The Appleseed Network is a thriving, community-driven network of 20 nonprofit justice centers across the United States and Mexico. These centers are deeply rooted in their local communities and united by a shared commitment to advancing justice through policy advocacy, impact litigation, community partnerships, and rigorous research. The Appleseed Foundation serves as the network hub—supporting collaboration, learning, and collective capacity—while honoring the network’s decentralized structure.

The Executive Director will lead the Foundation with a collaborative and values-driven approach, strengthening trust across the network, deepening shared impact, and ensuring the Foundation has the resources, systems, and partnerships needed to support Appleseed’s mission for the long term.

Organization Overview

Founded in 1993, Appleseed advances systemic solutions to complex social injustices through a decentralized, community-powered model. Appleseed justice centers work across issue areas including economic justice, criminal justice reform, education and youth, immigration, and democracy. Together, they pursue change through policy advocacy, impact litigation, grassroots partnerships, and research that informs action.

The Appleseed Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as the network hub for the Appleseed Network. The Foundation sows the seeds of justice by:

• Helping to launch new Appleseed justice centers;
• Facilitating collaboration, shared learning, and communities of practice across the network;
• Coordinating multi-center research, advocacy, and litigation initiatives; and
• Strengthening the collective capacity, sustainability, and visibility of the network, including through joint fundraising initiatives.

The Foundation currently has three staff members and an annual operating budget of approximately $1 million. The broader Appleseed Network includes approximately 180 staff members with a combined budget of roughly $25 million.

Position Overview

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the Appleseed Foundation and reports to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director provides strategic, organizational, and external leadership for the Foundation while stewarding relationships across a decentralized, binational, and highly collaborative network.

Working in close partnership with the Board, board committees, Foundation staff, and leaders of Appleseed justice centers, the Executive Director ensures that the Foundation advances Appleseed’s mission, values, and long-term sustainability. The role requires balancing coordination and leadership at the network level with deep respect for local leadership, community accountability, and the autonomy of individual justice centers.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Stewardship

• Lead the development and execution of the Appleseed Foundation’s strategic priorities in alignment with the needs and values of Appleseed justice centers and the communities they serve.
• Serve as a steward of Appleseed’s decentralized, community-driven model, ensuring that the Foundation adds value while reinforcing trust and shared purpose across the network.
• Monitor and respond to emerging trends in social justice advocacy, philanthropy, and nonprofit governance to position Appleseed for continued relevance and impact.

Network Collaboration and Shared Impact

• Build strong, trusting relationships with justice center leaders and staff across the network.
• Foster collaboration, shared learning, and mutual support through communities of practice organized around issue areas, advocacy strategies, and organizational development.
• Coordinate and support multi-center research, advocacy, and litigation initiatives that advance systemic change.

External Relations and Resource Development

• Serve as a principal ambassador and spokesperson for the Appleseed Foundation and the Appleseed Network, working to build the profile of the Appleseed Foundation and its network of justice centers.
• Build and steward relationships with philanthropic foundations, individual donors, pro bono partners, advocacy networks, and allied organizations.
• Partner with the Board and Development Committee to advance fundraising strategies, including the annual Pillars of Justice event, and to diversify and strengthen revenue streams.

Network Expansion and Capacity Building

• Oversee the launch of new Appleseed justice centers in partnership with the Board’s New Centers Committee and local leaders in the states where new centers are being launched.
• Support leadership development, organizational capacity building, and long-term sustainability for new and existing centers.
• Help identify and share best practices across the network to strengthen collective effectiveness.

Organizational and Financial Leadership

• Lead and support Appleseed Foundation staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-aligned organizational culture.
• Oversee budgeting, financial management, and internal controls in partnership with the Finance and Audit Committees.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements and maintain strong operational systems appropriate to the Foundation’s size and role.

Board Relations and Governance

• Serve as the primary staff partner to the Board of Directors and its committees.
• Support effective governance, board engagement, and committee operations.
• Prepare materials for board and committee meetings and ensure timely implementation of board decisions.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, strategic, and values-driven leader who is energized to advance social justice goals. They bring credibility in social justice spaces and a leadership style rooted in trust, facilitation, humility, and partnership.

This is a fully remote position open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Travel to board meetings and events in Washington, DC and elsewhere is required a few times each year.

Qualifications and Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated experience working with networks, coalitions, or other decentralized and collaborative organizational models.
• Strong understanding of systemic social justice advocacy, including policy advocacy, impact litigation, and community partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relationship management, and partnership development.
• Solid financial and operational management experience, including working with boards and committees.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• J.D. or other relevant advanced degree is preferred but not required.
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, community-driven change.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $120,000-$155,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits: Competitive Benefits Package

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample (5 page limit) by June 30, 2026.