The Greater Hartford Arts Council seeks a collaborative and creative Chief Executive Officer committed to serving the community to address the needs and goals of artists and arts organizations across the region.
Organization
The Greater Hartford Arts Council (Arts Council) exists to be a catalyst for the arts and promotes an equitable arts ecosystem. The Arts Council’s vision is that the Greater Hartford region will be a thriving multi-cultural destination anchored by a diverse and innovative arts sector.
For 50 years the Arts Council has supported the vibrant arts and cultural community of Connecticut’s Capital Region (34 towns, population of one million) through a range of grant programs and services designed to utilize the power of the arts to improve the lives of all people, celebrate the unique cultural diversity of the region, provide critical educational opportunities for our young people, and create an exciting place to live, work and visit.
At this inflection point in the organization, sector and community’s collective history, the Arts Council is poised to be the leading organization to convene artists, arts leaders and organizations to facilitate their important work in the region. In addition, the organization is a resource for individuals and corporations looking to make impactful investments in the arts in our communities.
In preparation for the introduction of a new leader, the Arts Council recently engaged in a strategic planning and visioning process to assess the current state of the organization, explore questions regarding the revenue and service models within the organization, and co-create a plan for the organization’s future strategy. Key strengths of the Arts Council that emerged from this work include:
- Access: The Arts Council provides access to arts and artists through a variety of programs and events
- Support: Critical support to arts organizations is made available through funding and other services
- Promotion: The organization actively promotes programs, events and exhibits, and helps raise audience and visibility
- Advocacy: The Arts Council champions the arts, artists and arts organizations in the region
Located in Hartford, CT with an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5M, the Arts Council is led by a dedicated and talented team of seven and is governed by a 21-member board comprised of corporate, nonprofit and community leaders committed to promoting the arts.
Tutoring Plus is seeking a passionate leader to advance strategic direction, leverage relationships and ensure continued programmatic excellence.
The Organization
Founded in 1964 as partnership between a neighborhood group and MIT students, Tutoring Plus has grown to be a highly respected organization and is one of the longest-running out-of-school time academic service providers for students in the community. Tutoring Plus works to strengthen the fabric of the shared community through its mission: To advance educational equity by supporting youth in their academic, personal and social growth through free, individualized tutoring, mentoring and enrichment programs.
Tutoring Plus does an exceptional job of getting to know each student within its programs. Staff work to understand each young person, who they are as a learner and who they are as an individual, and based on this are able to provide the right scaffolding and support to help them be successful learners.
Cambridge is an economically and racially stratified community, where respected universities and booming biotech companies exist next to families experiencing economic, food and housing insecurity. Tutoring Plus works to close the opportunity gap and ensure that every young person has the opportunity to learn and grow. The organization provides free programs that support students in developing the skills needed to successfully navigate and positively influence our world.
Tutoring Plus Programs include Tutoring and Mentoring Programs and Enrichment Programs. Tutoring Plus operates seven 1:1 tutoring centers, four subject based enrichment programs and gender-specific programs for middle school girls and boys. In the 2020 -21 academic year, 140 volunteers provided 2,823 hours of free academic support and mentoring to over 140 students in grades 4-12. Tutoring Plus was able to pivot quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic without a service gap, running all programs virtually.
During 1:1 tutoring and mentoring programs, students also engage with the social emotional and critical consciousness curriculum that Tutoring Plus staff develop and facilitate. Students learn important skills like perspective taking, questioning sources and teamwork that they apply to a community advocacy program.
Students and volunteers are matched based on academic profiles and personality. Tutoring Plus seeks to provide positive and productive matches that support academic and personal growth for both students and volunteers.
Tutoring Plus has five full-time and ten part-time dedicated staff, 14 supportive and engaged board members, and is a financially stable organization with an operational budget of $400,000.
Family Nurturing Center of MA (FNC) is seeking a passionate, mission-driven Executive Director to raise the organization’s visibility, develop its vision, deepen its impact, and shepherd the organization through its next phase of growth.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Family Nurturing Center was founded in 1994 by Sharon Shay Workman, PhD with the goals of reducing child maltreatment and abuse and promoting healthy families and communities. Since that time, FNC has grown and evolved to become a highly-regarded community-based family service provider and a nationally recognized training center.
FNC provides training, mentoring, and program development consultation services to more than 1,000 professionals throughout Massachusetts each year. As part of the National Nurturing Network coordinated by Family Development Resources, Inc., FNC has played key leadership roles in nationally funded projects that promote healthy families. FNC has led both government and privately funded local initiatives involving direct services that have served as pilot programs replicated elsewhere.
Family Nurturing Center offers free nurturing and family engagement programs for families in low-income Boston neighborhoods that help parents and caregivers improve their parenting skills and enhance the cognitive and social development of their children. FNC also fosters parent leaders and offers paid parent leadership opportunities. FNC’s training and programming have benefited from long term consistent support from state agencies including the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and the Department of Children and Families, and many foundations. These programs help to strengthen families, build community and family networks, and provide children with the nurturing and engaging environments necessary to ensure school readiness, resilience, and long-term success. Each year FNC partners with over 1,500 families. FNC also works with other nonprofits to build their capacity and opportunities to offer these programs and services across all of Boston’s most underserved neighborhoods.
In 2020, FNC opened a beautiful, new facility in the Bowdoin-Geneva neighborhood of Dorchester, a 12,800 square foot Family and Training Center that offers an expanded community presence, allows FNC to engage more families, and creates opportunities for new partnerships and collaborations within the community. The building is a draw for families and the hub for FNC’s work locally and throughout the Commonwealth. The new facility includes a dedicated indoor Play Space; meeting spaces for program participants, trainings, and community gatherings; an open concept office space to encourage program collaboration and integrated service delivery; a full kitchen to support group-based programs and events; and full handicap accessibility on all floors.
The mission of FNC, to work with others to build nurturing communities where children are cherished, families are supported, and healthy human development is promoted by all, is embodied by FNC’s long-tenured, committed staff and engaged, supportive board. FNC’s 24 staff members, of whom three report to the Executive Director, enjoy a collaborative and nurturing organizational culture. FNC is led by a cross-sector 16-member board of directors and is a financially stable organization with an annual operating budget of approximately $3.7m.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Family Nurturing Center saw significant growth under the 16-year tenure of Executive Director Matt LiPuma. With Mr. LiPuma’s impending retirement this fall, the next Executive Director of Family Nurturing Center will join a well-established and reputable organization with highly-effective programs, solid community partnerships, and staff who are committed to the mission and culture of the organization. The next Executive Director of Family Nurturing Center will have the opportunity to capitalize on these strengths to increase FNC’s impact in the future.
Key strategic priorities for the Executive Director include:
Broaden Visibility
Through strategic efforts in marketing, public relations, and relationship development, the Executive Director has an opportunity to elevate the organization’s reputation and visibility as a service provider and field leader in the local community and beyond.
Expand Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
FNC believes that justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) are essential to accomplishing its mission and maximizing its impact. The Executive Director will bring vision and leadership to effectively promote and integrate best practices for furthering JEDI across the work of the organization. Specifically, there are opportunities to offer programs in additional languages; provide services for LGBTQIA+ families; and expand even further the diversity of staff, leadership, and decision-making practices.
Define Organizational Vision
FNC did an exceptional job meeting COVID challenges with speed and creativity. The organization adeptly adopted remote operations and expanded programs, family supports and the number of families served. The next Executive Director has the opportunity to review these successes and strategically advance the programmatic direction and organizational infrastructure needed in a post-COVID environment.
Program Effectiveness
As the leader of a service organization, the next Executive Director will partner with the Director of Programs and Program Managers and oversee the strength, effectiveness and evaluation of programs.
