The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is seeking to hire a Director, Project Play WNY.
JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Project Play WNY (DPPWNY) will lead the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s Youth Sports Initiative efforts by building a WNY community in which ALL children have the opportunity to be active in sports, regardless of their zip code. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation will be leading this collective impact initiative through cross-sector partnerships that engage public, private, and philanthropic institutions, as well as residents, in collective action. This position is funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. The Community Foundation will serve as a convener, co-creator and administrative backbone organization, working with an Advisory Council and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to mobilize stakeholders and develop breakthrough change strategies that align with The Aspen Institute Project Play framework and build upon the Western New York State of Play report as well as other research and subsequent collective impact initiative. Together with the Chief Community Impact Officer (CCIO), the DPPWNY is primarily responsible for leading, managing, fundraising, coordinating and executing the Community Foundation’s role in Project Play WNY (PPWNY). This will include: (1) serving as the link between the Community Foundation, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, contractors (including Aspen Institute), the WNY Youth Sports Advisory Council, the Youth Sports Racial Equity Task Force, working groups and key stakeholders, as well as the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan; (2) maintaining strong knowledge of relevant community issues; (3) creating, developing and maintaining strong relationships in the youth sports ecosystem; (4) and utilizing tools for advancing collective action, including: convening partners, building coalitions, forging common agendas, organizing media campaigns, initiating grants, overseeing grant processes and leveraging resources.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage PPWNY & staff (2 direct reports), including strategy, execution, learning, and evaluation
- Manage and maintain the engagement of Advisory Council, committee members and key stakeholders
- Fundraise; seek local and national funding partners for external grant opportunities and sponsorships
- Develop, formalize, and maintain a strong youth sports network involving a diverse group of citizens, professionals, community stakeholders, and elected officials
- Facilitate the efforts of stakeholders to create shared agendas, common action plans, assessment systems, and sustainability strategies
- Ensure community convenings, stakeholder events and meetings are coordinated
- Seek and secure additional support to leverage existing resources dedicated to Western New York youth sports, including attracting funding from sources outside the Western New York region
- Work with the Knowledge Management Officer to continually improve the metrics and assessment tools for community leadership
- Work with the communication/ media consultants to develop and deliver key messages about PPWNY that advance youth sports in the region as well as reflect the Community Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s brand and brand promises
- Participate in review as well as oversee the process for Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Legacy Grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
- Build sustainable youth sports systems for granting in perpetuity
- Manage relevant contracts and budgets
OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Play a key role in educating the Community Foundation Board, staff, and constituents on youth sports leadership initiatives
- Represent the Community Foundation at local and national meetings
- All other duties, as assigned
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Currently, DPPWNY manages 2 grant funded positions
TRAVEL
- Generally, travel is primarily within the eight counties of Western New York, plus Monroe County
- Some domestic travel may be required for job training, professional development, and relationship development on behalf of PPWNY
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE/EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree: relevant backgrounds may include sports management, planning, public administration, business, economics, etc.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively more responsible experience in philanthropy, sports management, youth development or related fields
- Demonstrated domain expertise and ability to lead strategy development
- Proven program development and project management experience, prioritizing multiple projects within tight deadlines
- Extensive knowledge of the nonprofit sector and experience in leading and facilitating community coalitions
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons of diverse backgrounds and organizations throughout the Western New York community
- Experience in communicating in a persuasive, credible manner, in person, in digital settings, and in writing and presentations
- Experience in fundraising and business development
- Commitment to the team effort of the Community Foundation
Salary Range: $88,000-$93,000 Annually
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long- term philanthropy in the Western New York Community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas, and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations, and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Community foundations are designed to grow and evolve as our community’s needs change, and new positions are regularly created as a result. As the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo continues to grow, we are looking for talented people who want to use their abilities to make a lasting difference. If that is you, then please send a cover letter explaining your interest in this position and what you would bring to the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
Send cover letter and resume as a single Word or PDF document via email to: Jobs@CFGB.org.
Please submit responses electronically via email. Response may also be received by U.S. Postal Service if an electronic medium is not available. No calls please.
Application deadline: Friday, July 18, 2025. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. As such, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is committed to providing a work environment that is free of all forms of unlawful harassment, discrimination and retaliation.