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People have often wondered why Black History Month is in February, the shortest month of the year. Apparently, this month was chosen in honor of Frederick Douglass, whose birthday is in February, and because of Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love.

Frederick Douglass was a wise man, abolitionist, and freedom fighter, who experienced numerous traumas, hardships, and barriers to progress during his enslavement. Despite these impediments, he managed to become a learned man and a leader pushing forward the quest for the freedom of Black people. He had many words of wisdom, including, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” His work and writing still resonate over a century and a half later.

There are many parallels between the life of Frederick Douglass and what young people of color are dealing with today. Historically, Black people have joined in solidarity with people in other racial groups to advocate for freedom for all. While we are celebrating Black History Month, the spirit of this observance carries over to all people of good conscience and goodwill. We are all in the same boat seeking well-being and the freedom to live and love.

This month, we acknowledge the courage and care it takes to seek well-being and freedom. As poet and activist Audre Lorde said, “When I dare to be powerful to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” 

This Black History Month, each of us can take strength from the heroes of our history to consider our opportunities today — to care for ourselves, for our communities, and for a shared, equitable, sustainable future. 

Find resources to support your journey.

• Youth Healing Space
• Young Women & Girls of Color
• Family Corner
• SpeakOnIt! podcast

 

Support the Steve Fund today. 

People have often wondered why Black History Month is in February, the shortest month of the year. Apparently, this month was chosen in honor of Frederick Douglass, whose birthday is in February and because of Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love.

Frederick Douglass was a wise man, abolitionist, and freedom fighter, who experienced numerous traumas, hardships, and barriers to progress during his enslavement.  Despite these impediments, he managed to become a learned man and a leader pushing forward the quest for freedom of Black people. He had many words of wisdom including, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” His work and writing still resonate over a century and a half later.

There are many parallels between the life of Frederick Douglass and what young people of color are dealing with today. Historically, Black people have joined in solidarity with people in other racial groups to advocate for freedom for all. While we are celebrating Black History Month, the spirit of this observance carries over to all people of good conscience and goodwill. We are all in the same boat seeking wellbeing and the freedom to live and love.

This month, we acknowledge the courage and care it takes to seek wellbeing and freedom. As poet and activist Audre Lorde said, “When I dare to be powerful to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” 

This Black History Month, each of us can take strength from the heroes of our history to consider our opportunities today — to care for ourselves, for our communities, and for a shared, equitable, sustainable future. 

Find resources to support your journey

• Youth Healing Space
• Young Women & Girls of Color
• Family Corner
• SpeakOnIt! podcast

 

Support the Steve Fund today. 

Steve Fund Response to Mass Shooting

The Steve Fund is the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. Through its work impacting thousands of students and families throughout the country, it aims to build and elevate systems that will create a more equitable future. The Steve Fund’s people are experts working with the nation’s leading colleges and universities, nonprofits, researchers, corporations, and mental health experts. The Steve Fund’s vision is that every student and young person of color is fully supported by programs, services and institutional cultures that value mental health and well-being. 

In its seventh year, the Steve Fund’s reach is poised to expand dramatically, ushering in a transformational period of growth in funding, organizational capacity and impact. This transition comes at a moment when conversations about racial equity, mental health, well-being and the promise of America’s young people of color are at the forefront of our nation’s collective conscience. We have the potential to positively impact the lives of millions of young people of color in higher education and their early years in the workforce, and we see a digital-first strategy as the primary pathway to reach this scale. 

The Steve Fund is a virtual organization, with remote employees based throughout the United States. This position reports to the Executive Director. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Digital Transformation Product Manager (DTPM) will be a valued member of the full-time team who will be asked to partner with fellow team members to create a digital transformation product vision in line with the organizational goals and then drive that digital transformation with best-in-class digital products that will expand the impact and reach of the Steve Fund to reach millions of youth of color. This individual will provide foundational ideas that may become features, strategic direction and technical expertise for one of the nation’s most needed mental health organizations. 

A key trait we are looking for in a candidate is the ability to convey complex technical ideas and concepts to stakeholders without a technical background. Beyond that, it will be key to be able to interpret business requirements into actionable and prioritized to-dos, and be able to keep both the product vision as well as the implementation considerations in mind. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• You will advise on the Steve Fund’s digital transformation, leveraging analytical and technical skills to guide the Steve Fund as it transitions into becoming a digital-first organization, including developing business transformation vision, value roadmap, and high-level target solution designs
• Assume complete responsibility over the digital transformation project management and ensure that any contractors/digital services firm(s) the Steve Fund contracts with create plans that match organizational goals and timelines, and are aligned with industry standards. 
• You will be the source of truth for our team, the person that understands both high-level needs and priorities as well as the minute details that are required as we create digital products. 
• You will be empowered to own the process and associated meetings, ceremonies, and documentation involved as a product manager on an agile project – high-level feature prioritization, backlog grooming, sprint planning, conduct product demos to confirm functionality or instigate feedback, and when needed organize working sessions with the Steve Fund stakeholders and/or internal team members to clarify and define requirements. 
• Iterate and update requirements as required throughout the course of the product development cycle, keeping the organization’s leadership up to date as decisions are made, priorities are shifted, and user needs are clarified. 
• Advise on new technologies recommended by firms and peer organizations, ensuring that the Steve Fund invests in technologies that align with the organization’s business strategy, needs, and organizational capacity. 
• Develop and document internal digital policies, practices and procedures which will allow for understanding and quick adoption of best digital practices by the Steve Fund.
• Build and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with a diverse range of staff, technical and non-technical — with a particular focus on building strong credibility and  relationships at the Director and board-level of the organization to secure ongoing buy-in for the DT initiative. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Deep experience in Technical Program Management or Product Management 
• Demonstrated track record of uniting cross-functional teams to deliver large scale digital products to market
• Able to align the “big idea” vision and the specific details together, and consistently vet one against the other – produce a concept, then immediately find weaknesses / assess feasibility
• Able to present to senior management level audiences, – both internal and external, with varying levels of technical understanding
• Understanding and practice of the fundamentals of agile and scrum-oriented product processes that guide iterative software development
• Current holder of or are interested in pursuing training to become a Certified Product Owner (scrum)
• Bonus: Track record of working with and making the business case for technology/technical solutions to the executives, decision makers, and stakeholders of nonprofits 
• ​​Bonus: MBA, Master’s Degree in Computer Science, or equivalent experience

TO APPLY 

Applications (resume and cover letter) and nominations can be sent to Lana Johnson, lana@stevefund.org. 

The Steve Fund’s dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is clearly reflected in all of our content.  Diversity is more than a commitment at The Steve Fund —it is the foundation of what we do. 

The Steve Fund is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability or any other classification protected by federal, or applicable state or local law.

 

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Salary range: $120,000-$150,000 on an annual basis

Benefits provided, including monthly data/business expense stipend, employer contributions towards a retirement plan, and paid time off.

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The Steve Fund is the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.  Through its work impacting hundreds of thousands of students and families throughout the country, it aims to build and elevate systems that will create a more equitable future. The Steve Fund’s people are spirited, determined, intentional and trustworthy experts working with the nation’s leading colleges and universities, nonprofits, researchers, and mental health experts. The Steve Fund’s vision is that every student and young person of color is fully supported by programs, services and institutional cultures that value mental health and well-being.

 

As it enters its sixth year, the Steve Fund’s reach has expanded dramatically, ushering in a transformational period of growth in funding, organizational capacity and impact. This transition comes at a moment when conversations about racial equity, mental health, well-being and the future of American’s young people of color are at the forefront of our national collective conscience.  

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director opening is an opportunity for an experienced visionary leader with a track record of demonstrable impact who can inspire and drive organizational growth and transformation.  This individual will provide the leadership, strategic direction, external visibility, and management expertise for one of the nation’s most needed mental health organizations.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the new Executive Director will lead and manage the Steve Fund’s virtual team.  S/he is responsible for fundraising and development, programming, marketing, fiscal and budgetary management, organizational growth and sustainability.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities include:

Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Serve as a thought leader guiding The Steve Fund’s vision and setting its strategic direction.
• Represent the organization externally to stakeholders including: students and families, mental health professionals, higher education and nonprofit leaders, philanthropic partners, program partners, peer organizations and others.
• Work with the Board of Trustees to develop and achieve strategic planning goals and fulfill the Steve Fund’s mission.
• Promote a high-performance culture committed to excellence and continuous improvement.

 

Fundraising and Development

• Oversee the development, implementation, and success of the organization’s annual fundraising plan.
• Steward long-term, productive, and growing relationships with current funders including foundations, individuals and corporations.
• Leverage external presence and deliver strong relationships to garner new opportunities and cultivate a broader pool of funders.

 

Marketing and Communications

• Develop and oversee an effective, strategic, multi-pronged communications plan that builds support for and knowledge and visibility of the Steve Fund and its mission among young people of color, media, key influencers,  funders, families, educators, non-profit and private sector leaders, and funders
• Maintain, strengthen and develop relationships with program partners, peer organizations, funders and the media.
• Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson.
• Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger awareness and sterling reputation.

 

Management and Operations

• Facilitate the ongoing development and management of a highly-skilled professional staff.
• Provide oversight to all financial aspects of the organization, ensuring that sound, efficient financial procedures and accurate reporting systems are in place.
• Report regularly to the Board of Trustees regarding organizational strategies, objectives, achievements and challenges.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state nonprofit governance, requirements and regulations.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The Executive Director should have the following qualifications and characteristics:

• At least seven years of outstanding executive and senior management experience.
• Commensurate professional recognition and long-standing professional relationships.
• An undergraduate degree and a graduate degree is preferred.
• Critical interest in the mission, programming and approach of the Steve Fund with a deep commitment to racial equity. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead fundraising strategy with a track record of attracting and growing philanthropic support from foundations, corporations and individuals.
• Excellent, persuasive communication skills with the ability to serve as the lead spokesperson and ambassador to build awareness of the Steve Fund’s work and impact.
• Strong management experience with a demonstrated track record running a complex organization with multiple stakeholders and managing a diverse, geographically-dispersed staff.
• Demonstrated facility with analyzing and employing data to drive innovation and growth.
• Demonstrated contributions to thought leadership
• Superior references 

 

PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS

• An inclusive leadership style that seeks out and values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• A supportive, emotionally intelligent leader with excellent interpersonal skills who fosters internal trust.
• A collaborative management style that motivates staff, provides clear and consistent direction and fosters accountability.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, energetic, collaborative and proactive, a team leader who can productively impact both strategic and tactical initiatives.

 

TO APPLY

Applications and nominations can be sent to SFEDSearch@stevefund.org.   Please forward a letter of interest, resume, and five professional references.  Review of materials will begin immediately. For confidential inquiries, nominations, or questions please call 202.276.2983. 

The Steve Fund is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability or any other classification protected by federal, or applicable state or local law.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]