Chief Executive Officer

Organization Overview

Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) is a statewide membership network of more than 180 philanthropic organizations, including community foundations, private and family foundations, corporate funders, and public and civic philanthropic entities. As Indiana’s leading philanthropy-infrastructure organization (PIO), IPA connects grantmakers with the tools, knowledge, and relationships they need to strengthen communities. IPA partners closely with Lilly Endowment Inc. in delivering the GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) technical assistance program, an important service supporting community foundation excellence in Indiana that touches all 92 counties. IPA is financially stable, with diversified revenue streams, healthy reserves, and a long history of strong member engagement. The organization is poised for continued impact.

Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the strategic and operational leader of IPA, responsible for advancing the organization’s mission to strengthen philanthropy across Indiana. The CEO ensures IPA remains a trusted convener, partner, and resource for community foundations, private and family foundations, corporate grantmakers, and other philanthropic stakeholders statewide. This leader will guide IPA through its next chapter of operational focus and member-centered growth—strengthening relationships, elevating member value, and sustaining IPA’s role as the statewide voice and hub for philanthropy.

This position reports to the IPA Board of Directors.

The Ideal CEO

The ideal CEO is a bridge-builder and a strategic convener who leads with humility and clarity. This person brings a deep respect for philanthropy, a practical approach to operations, the emotional intelligence to lead teams effectively, and the presence to strengthen relationships statewide and with Lilly Endowment. They are future-focused, grounded, diplomatic—and able to transform complexity into coherent, actionable progress for the field.

Position Specifics

Primary Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Provide clear, forward-thinking leadership that aligns with IPA’s mission and supports the diverse needs of Indiana’s philanthropic sector.
• Balance innovation with disciplined execution; strengthen core programs while selectively pursuing future opportunities.
• Serve as the external face of the organization—representing IPA with credibility across Indiana’s civic, philanthropic, and public-sector landscape.
• Identify opportunities to support collective advocacy and systems-level change while respecting IPA’s role as a neutral, member-driven philanthropy-infrastructure organization.

2. Member Engagement & Value Creation

• Ensure strong, differentiated value for community foundations, private/family foundations, and corporate grantmakers, recognizing each group’s unique needs.
• Expand issue-based convenings, peer-learning opportunities, and member-to-member connections.
• Champion a culture of service excellence—ensuring members experience responsiveness, relevance, and reliability.

3. Organizational Culture, People Leadership & Team Development

• Lead with humility, presence, and servant leadership—empowering staff and building trust across the organization.
• Set clear expectations, ensure accountability, and foster a collaborative, mission-driven work environment.
• Serve as a visible, accessible leader who models listening, learning, and practical problem-solving.

4. Operational Excellence & Financial Stewardship

• Oversee organizational budgeting, resource allocation, and financial decision-making with discipline and transparency.
• Ensure IPA operates with clarity, focus, and efficiency—prioritizing programs with the highest member and mission impact.
• Further strengthen internal systems (finance, operations, program evaluation, communications) to ensure sustainable, scalable execution.
• Partner with the Director of Operations & Finance and external accounting firm to ensure clean financial management and reporting.

5. Convening, Policy Navigation & External Engagement

• Act as a trusted convener on issues relevant to philanthropic organizations across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
• Navigate complex political, ideological, and regional differences with neutrality, empathy, and skill.
• Maintain constructive relationships with state-level agencies, public officials, nonprofit partners, and national philanthropic networks.
• Support board-approved policy and advocacy efforts where there is strong member alignment.
• Advance aligned advocacy initiatives by helping members navigate public-policy environments, elevating shared philanthropic priorities, and partnering with funders on collaborative capacity-building and field-strengthening efforts where IPA can add value.

Key Leadership Competencies

• Servant Leadership: Prioritizes members and staff; leads through influence and support rather than authority.
• Political Agility: Navigates diverse viewpoints, unique differences, and sensitive philanthropic dynamics.
• Operational Discipline: Brings process orientation, clarity, and focus to organizational priorities and programming.
• Relationship Stewardship: Builds credibility and trust with funders, members, partners, and staff.
• Strategic Communicator: Tells the story of Indiana philanthropy with clarity, humility, and authority.
• General Management Strength: Capable of managing budgets, evaluating trade-offs, and making sound operational decisions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in a philanthropy-serving organization, foundation (community, private, family, or corporate), nonprofit intermediary, or highly aligned civic institution.
• Strong preference for familiarity with Indiana community foundations or familiarity with the state’s philanthropic landscape.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships, including funders, board members, policymakers, and community leaders.
• Track record of successful organizational leadership, including culture shaping, team development, and operational improvement.
• Familiarity with statewide systems, government agencies, and public policy relevant to philanthropy.
• Financial and operational acumen; comfort managing budgets and organizational resources.
• Strong communication, convening, and coalition-building skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Proficient with basic technology platforms and programs such as Zoom, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work well within a team environment.
• Commitment to the values and mission of Indiana Philanthropy Alliance.

Salary & Benefits

Salary is competitive. Benefits include group health coverage, which includes dental and vision; life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; health savings or flexible spending accounts; employer-sponsored retirement plan; and paid time off.

Other Information

Physical Requirements

• The majority of the job is located inside a downtown Indianapolis office during regular business hours of operation; however, occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
• Regular use of the keyboard.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds, bend, and stoop.
• Flexible schedule that allows for conducting training at different times and locations.
• Able to drive for travel around the state.
• Consistent sitting for many hours at a time. 

This job description does not represent an inclusive list of all duties encompassed in this position, but rather serves as a tool to assist the employee in this position. The existence of this job description, or any other job description, does not in any way negate Indiana Philanthropy Alliance's “at will” employment status.  

How to Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter to confidential@medallionpartnersinc.com.

We also welcome nominations; referrals may be sent to the email listed above.