Executive Director

Location: Fort Collins, Colorado

Work Environment: Full-time, in-office

Compensation: $75,000–$80,000 DOE + performance-based salary growth up

to approximately $92,000 based on sustained progress toward the organization’s financial growth,

fundraising, and sustainability goals.

Founded in 2001 by breast cancer survivor Lydia Dody, Hope Lives! provides compassionate, no-cost

supportive services to individuals in active treatment for breast cancer in Larimer and Weld counties. Through partnerships with healthcare providers and more than fifty community service providers, Hope Lives! helps address the physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges that can accompany treatment and recovery.

For more than 25 years, Hope Lives! has built a trusted reputation in the community. Today, the organization is entering its next chapter with an engaged Board of Directors, a strong network of supporters and partners, and a clear commitment to thoughtful, sustainable growth.

The Opportunity

Hope Lives! is seeking an Executive Director who can build upon a respected legacy while helping shape the organization’s future. This is a hands-on executive leadership role for someone who is equally comfortable being visible in the community, cultivating donors, leading fundraising efforts, managing staff and volunteers, overseeing major events, and ensuring strong day-to-day operations.

The Board has identified six priorities that will define success in this role: public leadership, fundraising growth, relationship development, operational and staff leadership, event success, and focused organizational growth.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a highly visible, relationship-oriented leader who combines strategic thinking with a willingness to remain actively engaged in the day-to-day realities of a growing nonprofit. They will understand that fundraising is fundamentally about relationships, that community visibility drives opportunity, and that organizational growth must be supported by strong systems, responsible stewardship, and an exceptional team. The ideal Executive Director leads with integrity, humility, accountability, sound judgment, and genuine compassion for the individuals and families Hope Lives! serves.

What Success Looks Like

• Serve as the public face of Hope Lives!, increasing awareness and representing the organization with professionalism, compassion, and credibility throughout Northern Colorado.
• Drive fundraising and philanthropic growth through individual giving, major gifts, sponsorships, grants, donor stewardship, and new revenue opportunities.
• Build and strengthen meaningful relationships with donors, healthcare providers, sponsors, volunteers, foundations, nonprofit partners, businesses, and community leaders.
• Provide effective day-to-day leadership for the organization, including staff and volunteer management, budgeting, compliance, program oversight, and operational accountability.
• Lead the planning and successful execution of signature events, including the Annual Gala, Golfing for Hope, Walk for Hope, and future fundraising initiatives.
• Guide thoughtful organizational growth by strengthening systems, expanding community impact, diversifying revenue, and positioning Hope Lives! for long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan aligned with Board-approved goals and organizational priorities.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, sponsors, foundations, and community partners while expanding Hope Lives!’ philanthropic reach.
• Serve as the organization’s primary ambassador and spokesperson at community events, healthcare functions, civic organizations, media opportunities, and public engagements.
• Strengthen relationships with physicians, oncology practices, hospitals, imaging centers, healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and referral partners.
• Provide strategic leadership and hands-on management for Hope Lives!’ signature fundraising events, including event plans, budgets, timelines, committees, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, logistics, guest experience, and post-event evaluation.
• Lead and support staff and volunteers, establishing clear expectations, accountability, collaboration, and opportunities for development.
• Oversee Hope Lives! programs and service delivery, including provider relationships, program utilization, outcomes, documentation, and grant reporting.
• Prepare and manage the annual operating budget in collaboration with the Board Treasurer and provide timely, accurate financial information to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, reporting requirements, bylaws, Board policies, and sound nonprofit governance practices.
• Provide strategic oversight for marketing, communications, public relations, social media, website
• content, newsletters, and organizational storytelling.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to implement strategic priorities and provide operational insight, data, and recommendations that inform future planning. Identify opportunities to improve organizational systems, strengthen financial sustainability, expand community impact, and support long-term growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, healthcare administration, public administration, communications, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant leadership experience.

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible nonprofit, healthcare, charitable, or mission-driven leadership experience.

• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, sponsorship development, grants, or other

revenue-generating initiatives.

• Experience managing budgets and demonstrating sound financial stewardship.

• Experience supervising staff and working effectively with volunteers.

• Experience working collaboratively with a Board of Directors or governing body.

• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and public-speaking skills.

• Strong technology skills with demonstrated ability to effectively use and learn CRM, bookkeeping, donor management, event, and other business software platforms.

• Strong organizational, strategic planning, relationship-building, and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred qualifications include experience in healthcare, patient advocacy, oncology, breast cancer support, or human services; a CFRE or comparable credential; and established relationships within Northern Colorado’s nonprofit, healthcare, philanthropic, or business communities.

Compensation & Growth Opportunity

Starting Salary Range: $75,000–$80,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Performance & Salary Growth: The Executive Director will be eligible for performance-based salary growth up to approximately $92,000 based on sustained progress toward the organization’s financial growth, fundraising, and sustainability goals. In addition, the Executive Director will be eligible for an annual performance bonus upon achievement of financial goals established by the Board through the annual strategic planning and budgeting process.

The Board intends to periodically review Executive Director compensation as Hope Lives! grows to ensure alignment with organizational performance, financial sustainability, market competitiveness, and the expanding scope of the role.

Benefits include a flexible work environment, health benefits, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development, subject to current organizational policies and benefit plans.

Why Hope Lives!?

This is an opportunity to do more than maintain an organization. It is an opportunity to help build its next chapter. Hope Lives! currently operates with an annual budget of approximately $350,000, and the Board has established a long-term aspiration to grow the organization toward $750,000 to $1 million in annual revenue while preserving the compassionate, client-centered culture that has defined Hope Lives! since its founding.

The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to expand community awareness, strengthen

philanthropy, deepen strategic partnerships, build organizational capacity, and increase the number of

individuals and families supported throughout Northern Colorado. For a mission-driven leader energized by relationships, fundraising, community engagement, and thoughtful growth, Hope Lives! offers the opportunity to create lasting impact.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to the Hope Lives! Executive Director Search Committee at Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Hope Lives! is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all

employees, volunteers, clients, and community partners. Employment decisions are made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.