Overview
Executive Director Jobs in Bellingham, WA at The Calyx Foundation
About the Calyx Foundation
The Calyx Foundation is a nonprofit public charity located in Bellingham, Washington. Our mission is to serve the people of Washington state by increasing access to treatment, mental health services, and medical care; improving individuals’ economic independence by preparing them for work and connecting them to employment; and expanding access to stable housing statewide.
The Foundation’s approach is to pair permanent homes with voluntary, high-touch supports that help tenants stay housed, become healthier, and progress toward education and work.
We are in the early stages of developing Safeharbor Village, our flagship permanent supportive housing project in Whatcom County that unifies all three mission pillars on a single, thoughtfully designed campus. The project pairs permanently affordable cottages with voluntary onsite services to stabilize households experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness, including people living with disabling behavioral health or physical conditions.
In Safeharbor Village, the Foundation acts as mission-driven developer and long-term owner-steward, partnering with qualified service providers to deliver voluntary, integrated supports that help residents remain housed and thrive.
Job Description
The Calyx Foundation is now accepting applications for a full-time Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of growth.
The Executive Director is responsible for developing a clear path towards growth, ensuring that the Calyx Foundation continues to thrive in its community engagement and service delivery. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of the organization and requires a dynamic, highly relational leader who can effectively advance the Foundation’s mission.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in building partnerships across multiple sectors. This includes experience in fundraising and resource development, where the Executive Director will be tasked with creating and implementing an annual fundraising plan.
This plan should include:
- Grant applications
- Fund appeals
- Cultivation of major donors
All while articulating a compelling value proposition for the organization.
General Responsibilities
The Executive Director must demonstrate:
- Fluency in leading racial equity initiatives
- Ability to foster an inclusive environment
- Strong team-building capability
- Understanding of board governance
- Experience in nonprofit finance and operations
The Calyx Foundation values diverse backgrounds and encourages candidates aligned with these values to apply.
Essential Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership and Vision
- Lead the organization in alignment with mission, values, and goals
- Set and implement strategic priorities with staff and Board
- Foster a culture of clarity, accountability, and communication
- Manage change and guide long-term transformation
- Serve as lead fundraiser and relationship builder
- Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy
- Represent Calyx publicly with confidence and warmth
- Build partnerships with housing, healthcare, and service providers
Organizational Management & Operations
- Partner with Treasurer on financial oversight, budgeting, compliance
- Align programming with organizational goals
- Oversee policies, staffing, and operational systems
Board Relations & Governance
- Build a strong, collaborative relationship with the Board
- Communicate regularly and transparently
- Engage Board in fundraising and strategy
- Create a positive and inclusive work environment
- Model professionalism, empathy, and integrity
- Support team growth and development
- Foster collaboration and inclusion
Financial Oversight
- Maintain understanding of finances and KPIs
- Participate in financial planning and grant development
- Ensure fiscal responsibility and risk management
Programmatic Oversight
- Support all program areas (recovery, services, events)
- Advocate for criminal justice reform and reentry
- Ensure programming remains inclusive and mission-aligned
Required Qualifications
- Must reside in Washington State
- Minimum 2 years nonprofit executive leadership experience
- Bachelors degree in Business Management (or equivalent experience at Foundation discretion)
Preferred Qualifications
- Fundraising and donor development success
- Strategic planning and change management skills
- Staff supervision and team development experience
- Conflict resolution and decision-making ability
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Collaborative leadership style
- Knowledge of nonprofit financial management and budgeting
- Operational systems oversight experience
- Passion for public safety and reentry outcomes
- Familiarity with veteran transition challenges
- Understanding of nonprofit governance best practices
- Strong community relations skills
- Commitment to transparency and ethical leadership
- Experience leading racial equity initiatives
Conditions / Terms of Employment
This is a full-time assignment contingent on enrollment as a managing member of the Calyx Foundation. Persons hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of lawful employment to work in the United States within three (3) days of employment and provide transcripts. The Calyx Foundation participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Candidates may be subject to a criminal history background check as a condition for consideration of employment. The Calyx Foundation requires all employees to participate in direct deposit for payment of salary.
Compensation
Compensation is paid in accordance with the contract between the employee and the Calyx Foundation Board of Directors. Placement on the staff salary schedule will be commensurate with the educational background and experience per the Staff Negotiated Agreement.
Required Application Materials
- Online application
- Letter of interest
- Resume/CV
- Three professional references
- Unofficial transcripts (official upon hire)
Please ensure you have attached all required application materials as you will not be able to attach any documents after you have submitted your application. If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please call Support at 1-844-462-2599 or email them directly at [email protected]
The Calyx Foundation reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, or reopen the position. Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the Foundation’s discretion.
We are committed to providing equal opportunity and nondiscrimination for all employment applicants and employed staff, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender expression/identity, marital status, age, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or status as a Vietnam and/or disabled veteran, National Guard member or reservist in accordance the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any other applicable Federal and Washington State laws against discrimination. Our office is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need accommodations in the application/employment process, please contact our office at 1-844-462-2599, email [email protected] address: 2219 Rimland Dr., Ste. 301 Bellingham, WA. 98226.
Employer Information
- Employer: Calyx Foundation
- Address: 2219 Rimland Dr., Ste. 301, Bellingham, WA 98226
- Phone: 844-462-2599
- Website: http://www.calyx-foundation.org
Pay: $75,000.00 – $100,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bellingham, WA 98226
Title: Executive Director
Company: The Calyx Foundation
Location: Bellingham, WA
Category:
