Foundations & Philanthropy Recruiters

Our Approach to Foundations & Philanthropy Executive Search

Keller understands that finding a new leader can be a lengthy, stressful, and expensive endeavor for an in-house hiring team. We help alleviate some of this pressure, allowing internal teams to redirect their efforts to more strategic initiatives. We also acknowledge the differences between every organization and adapt our recruitment approach to match their unique needs, which, in turn, leads to stronger hires.

At the outset of every engagement, we meet with our clients’ business leaders and shareholders to understand their expectations. Gathering these insights helps us target candidates who align with our clients’ criteria and are ready to hit the ground running. We also tap into our network connections to pinpoint high-potential candidates who fit the bill. To ensure every search stays on schedule, our recruiters use advanced recruitment tools and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

We prioritize equity throughout the executive search process. Our team is qualified in inclusive hiring techniques and is devoted to finding nonprofit executives who mirror the communities our partners serve. We do more than support inclusion; we embody it, ensuring every hire enhances culture, drives impact, and helps our client’s organization to move forward.

Once we have a pool of qualified prospects, we reach out to each to learn their interest and availability for the post. We then verify their professional credentials, contact references, and perform background checks. The result is a shortlist of thoroughly vetted candidates who align with the demands of the role. We distribute this list among our client’s search committee, which holds the ultimate authority on who to hire.

Behind Our Recruitment Process

At Keller’s inception, we utilized a single, standard hiring approach for every client. While it was suitable for staffing generic roles, we quickly realized we would need to upgrade our method to accommodate higher-end searches.

We reached this conclusion after one particular turn of events involving a placement for a prominent client. They had tasked us with locating a candidate for a senior-level role, and we began the search the same way as any other, believing we could deliver the right hire using the same approach we always had.

However, as some of our teammates may remember, the individual we placed struggled to integrate with the rest of the client’s team. This led to friction between the former and existing senior staff, eventually culminating in a failed placement. This disappointing outcome made us reconsider our modus operandi.

We rebuilt it from the ground up into the customer-oriented approach we still use today, under which our business has flourished. Our rates of successful placements have skyrocketed, and the Keller brand has become synonymous with high-quality, reliable executive search services. Clients now rely on our effective and efficient search process for even the most complex executive hires.

Despite our accomplishments as a premier executive search firm, we believe there is always room for improvement. Continuous learning, therefore, remains a top priority and we appreciate all forms of feedback we receive.

Explore Keller’s Insights and Thought Leadership content below for guidance on how to improve the employee experience, streamline hiring, and more.

Areas We Specialize In

Recruiting for nonprofit leadership roles is a challenging endeavor for several reasons, not least of which is that individuals in these positions must possess a diverse range of skills and perspectives. They also need to be deeply committed to their organization’s cause and be capable of meeting targets despite limited resources and budgets.

Keller actively partners with impactful community, corporate, private, and family foundations to connect them with exceptional leaders who have what it takes to advance their organizations’ goals. Our consultants are also familiar with recruiting for other industries within the nonprofit sector, for example:

• Animal Welfare
• Arts and Culture
• Arts Education
• Civil Rights and Social Justice
• Community Development
• Disaster Relief and Emergency Management
• Education and Literacy
• Elder Services and Aging
• Environmental Conservation
• Food Security and Nutrition
• Grantmaking
• Health and Human Services
• Historic Preservation
• Housing and Homelessness
• International Development
• Mental Health and Counseling
• Public Policy and Advocacy
• Religion and Faith-Based Services
• Scientific Research
• Sports and Recreation
• Substance Abuse Prevention and Discovery
• Technology and Digital Inclusion
• Veterans and Military Families
• Workforce Development
• Youth Development

Positions We Fill

Keller is capable of meeting the unique needs of foundations and philanthropic organizations thanks to our deep industry expertise. Private foundations, charitable arms, and community grantmakers depend on us for pinpointing nonprofit executives who can translate vision into meaningful results. Our track record speaks volumes about our ability to place Chief Executive Officers and Executive Directors who can steer their organizations towards long-term success.

In addition, we routinely fill specialized positions that keep nonprofit enterprises operating at full capacity. These include Chief Impact Officers, Chief Financial Officers, and Chief Philanthropy Officers. We also recruit Vice Presidents of Programs, Development, Grants Management, and Public Affairs who can design initiatives, cultivate major gifts, and elevate an organization’s voice on critical issues.

From succession planning for legacy foundations to rapid scaling for new philanthropic ventures, Keller recruits nonprofit leaders with the problem-solving, strategic planning, advocacy, fundraising skills, and cultural fit to match our clients’ needs.

Why Choose Keller as your Foundation's Executive Search Partner?

Motivated by the same drive for excellence as our nonprofit clients, Keller identifies standout individuals who can lead their organizations to new heights. We put our client’s goals first throughout the entire search, ensuring we find professionals who match their organization’s culture perfectly.

Our consultants also help guide our partners in making better hiring choices through their extensive sector insights and real-world experience. By combining this expertise with our vast network of industry experts, we provide access to top performers whom our clients may not have even considered. Simultaneously, our personalized approach nurtures long-term relationships built on trust and shared success.

Our Promise – The Right Hire

Choosing Keller as your nonprofit executive search partner gives you access to discreet, professional support throughout your engagement. We operate under stringent non-disclosure agreements and are fully compliant with local data-protection laws, safeguarding both your interests and our candidates’ safety and security.

Above all, we prioritize quality over speed, rigorously evaluating every candidate and leaving no stone unturned until we find the perfect fit. To reinforce this commitment, we offer a 90-day guarantee on every placement.

This means that if a new hire fails to meet targets or resigns from the role within this period, we will initiate a new search at no extra charge. This pledge reflects our pursuit of the best talent for making a meaningful impact at our clients’ firms.

Make Keller your ally in nonprofit executive search and get the leadership your organization needs to make a positive difference in the world.