Fast Facts

Join Children's Funding Project as the Director of Funding the Next Generation, where you will lead efforts to secure local funding for children and youth in California through strategic advocacy and coalition-building.

Responsibilities: Lead and manage movement-building for local public funding, oversee staff and consultants, engage with stakeholders, and coordinate statewide efforts for funding equity in California.

Skills: Proven experience in policy advocacy, coalition-building, and managing diverse teams; strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree with 8+ years in relevant fields; preference for candidates with lived experience related to advocacy for children and youth issues.

Location: Remote, must reside in California; in-state travel required.

Compensation: $110000 - $130000 / Annually

CHILDREN’S FUNDING PROJECT is a nonprofit social impact organization that helps communities and states expand equitable opportunities for children and youth through strategic public financing. Through our hands-on technical assistance and collection of resources, we help advocates, policymakers, public agencies, and funders identify and align existing funding, generate new revenue, and implement strategies to administer funds in ways that maximize their impact. This growing organization is dynamic and seeks to meet the needs of the child and youth field and provide a healthy work environment. Read more about us at: https://www.childrensfundingproject.org/.

FUNDING THE NEXT GENERATION (www.fundingthenextgeneration.org) is Children’s Funding Project’s California affiliate. FNG’s mission is to increase dedicated funding for children and youth in local jurisdictions (specifically cities and counties) throughout California, with a focus on using the ballot to create the funds. Inspired by California’s first and largest Children and Youth Fund in San Francisco through campaigns led by FNG’s Founder-in-Residence, FNG builds the capacity of city and county coalitions and leaders to work in the political area, works to build a movement to advance budget equity for children and youth in California, and continues to develop the theory and educational materials to help guide that movement.

ABOUT THE POSITION: Children’s Funding Project is seeking a politically sophisticated Director to lead, and manage FNG’s movement building, technical assistance, organizing, policy, and advocacy work in California. The Director will execute the strategy and goals articulated in current grants, supervise a small California-based staff and consultant team, and ensure the effectiveness of FNG’s functions. Critically, the Director must provide political and policy leadership in California’s local budget equity work for children and youth by building and managing a statewide network and movement; supporting diverse local coalitions of advocates, organizers, elected officials, youth, and parents; and strengthening FNG’s position as an effective force for transforming local investments in children and youth throughout the state. Note, the focus of FNG is on local public funding and organizing to impact local public investments. This full-time, exempt position reports to the Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Funding Project. California residency and in-state travel are required.    

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES-

• LeadershipProvide strategic leadership for FNG by executing work plans and goals, maintaining and building on a network of city and county coalitions/leaders, establishing partnerships, coordinating project deliverables, tracking progress, and managing the evolution of projects as needed.
• Engage in ongoing learning about California’s state and local political, electoral, and legal landscape impacting local public investments for children and youth.
• Provide compelling and inspirational communication to stakeholders throughout the state about the value of investing in children and youth, and the importance of having public resources reflect that value.
• Function as the primary project champion and relationship manager for FNG’s internal and external stakeholders.
• SupervisionSupervise, mentor and train the Associate Director.   
• Maintain and build upon the collaborative work environment of FNG including staff, the advisory board, and network of consultants, including the founder-in-residence.
• Recruit and provide technical direction to consultants that support FNG’s work, including experts in polling, election law, politics, public finance, organizing, and communication.
• FundraisingBuild relationships with, develop funding proposals for, and fulfill commitments to foundations, participants, and other investors in FNG’s work.
• Training & Technical AssistanceBuild the capacity of FNG’s California-based network through the provision of training, technical assistance, and related activities. 
• Deploy capacity-building supports such as the formation and facilitation of specialized cohorts for those preparing for the ballot or other types of revenue increases for children and youth; place-specific consultations; and individual coaching for key leaders.
• Analyze, synthesize, and disseminate findings, lessons-learned, and recommended practices to various audiences, including California-based advocates, policymakers, funders, and FNG network participants.
• Promote and facilitate the adoption of Children's Funding Project’s services in California including but not limited to fiscal mapping and cost modeling.  
• Engagement in Statewide Efforts Lead and coordinate FNG’s participation in statewide efforts to advance funding equity for children and youth positioning FNG as a partner and thought leader.  
• Build strong relationships with partner organizations, philanthropic leaders, and policymakers elevating local experiences and priorities in order to influence state-level policies that affect the equitable allocation of resources and sustainable funding for children and youth.
• OtherCollaborate with Children’s Funding Project on communications (e.g., newsletters, websites, reports), national and regional events, technical assistance, and other activities that increase impact and advance the mission and the national movement.
• Other duties as assigned.
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We are seeking an individual who possesses the following:

Experience

• Policy and Politics
• Proven track record in political, policy, and organizing, including issue-oriented ballot measures and coalition-building with diverse allies. Passion for using the political arena to achieve social justice policy goals, with an emphasis on children/youth issues and local revenue strategies.
• Strong understanding of California's state and local political processes, including policymaking, stakeholder roles, and the electoral process's impact on policy.
• Social Justice and Organizing
• Committed to justice, equity, diversity, and belonging, candidates should demonstrate how budgets reflect these values, preferably with experience improving the well-being of under-resourced children, youth, and families through local political processes or organizing.
• Management and SupervisionDemonstrated experience managing remote staff and teams of consultants and participants, including supporting professional development, and providing mentorship and training.
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Knowledge

• Degrees and Previous EmploymentBachelor's degree in social sciences, education, or related field and at least eight (8) years of experience in the government, nonprofit, political, or human services sector, ideally doing work related to Funding the Next Generation’s mission. 
• A master’s or professional degree may be substituted for up to three (3) years of work experience. 
• Lived ExperiencePreference will be given to candidates who have professional or lived experience with advocacy organizations, systems, and/or policies that serve children, youth, and families, in areas such as drafting legislation, organizing voter outreach, forming issue-oriented coalitions, and budget advocacy, as well as experiencing the impact of the maldistribution of public resources for children and youth.

Skills

• Strong managerial, inter-personal, communication, organizing, and strategy skills, including building relationships and partnerships across multiple sectors and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (e.g., experience providing public testimony, making persuasive speeches, facilitating meetings, explaining procedures, preparing PowerPoint presentations).

Qualities

• Excitement about leading an emerging movement to expand local public resources for California’s children and youth.  
• Passion for learning, understanding, and strategizing about local politics.   
• Ability to communicate that enthusiasm and inspire others.
• Team player with an interest in working with and learning from founder-in-residence.
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LOCATION: Remote with ability to travel. The director must reside within the state of California. 

STARTING COMPENSATION: This position falls into the director level of our salary structure. Starting compensation will be between $110,000 and $130,000, commensurate with skills, experience, and internal equity. Children’s Funding Project also offers a generous benefit package, a great (and growing!) team, and a working environment that emphasizes professional development and growth.

STARTING DATE: Late 2025, to be negotiated.

TO APPLY: A cover letter is required for consideration and should address your specific interest in and vision for the position as well as relevant professional and lived experiences. The cover letter will weigh heavily in the selection process.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: October 31, 2025

Children’s Funding Project commits to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that reflects the breadth of communities and clients we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring socially conscious individuals with diverse experiences and knowledge that deepen our organization’s impact. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. People of color, members of Tribal Nations and native communities, LGBTQ-identified people, gender-nonconforming people, people with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are strongly encouraged to apply.