Job Description

Career Opportunity

The High Point Community Foundation (HPCF) seeks a strategic, grounded, and community‑centered leader to serve as its next President, guiding the Foundation through a pivotal leadership transition and into its next chapter of institutional growth.

After nearly three decades of relationship‑driven leadership, HPCF stands at an inflection point. The Foundation is deeply trusted, financially sound, and rooted in High Point’s civic life, but is now called to modernize its systems, sharpen its strategic focus, broaden its donor base, and strengthen internal operations while honoring its legacy and community relationships.

Building on HPCF’s strong foundation, the next President will balance continuity and evolution while positioning the Foundation for an increasingly visible and impactful role in High Point’s future.

About the High Point Community Foundation

High Point Community Foundation is a place‑based philanthropic organization dedicated to strengthening the High Point community by stewarding charitable assets, supporting local nonprofits, and connecting donors to causes that matter. The Foundation is widely respected for its integrity, accessibility, and long‑standing relationships with donors, nonprofits, and civic leaders.

HPCF operates with a high‑touch donor model, manages a significant portfolio of donor‑advised funds, and administers competitive grantmaking programs addressing community needs including education, literacy, housing, and economic mobility. The Foundation is entering a period of institutional evolution to ensure its practices, systems, and leadership model remain effective for future generations.

Reporting Structure: The President serves as the chief executive officer of the Foundation and reports to the 21-person Board of Trustees. The President provides leadership to staff, partners closely with the Board and its committees, and represents the Foundation to donors, nonprofits, civic leaders, and the broader High Point community.

Total Staff and Budget: The Foundation operates with a staff of 5 (including the President) and a $1.5 million annual operating budget, stewards $124 million in donor-advised funds, and awarded $572,200 in community impact grants in 2025.

Compensation: The salary is commensurate with experience and begins in the $225,000 range. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, 401K match, and paid time off.

Working Environment/Location: Located in High Point, North Carolina, with strong community presence expected.

Want to know more? Visit https://www.hpcommunityfoundation.org/.

Key Responsibilities of the President

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Partner with the Board to clarify and advance a compelling strategic direction, translating shared priorities into clear goals, metrics, and phased execution.
• Strengthen institution‑supported systems to support long‑term effectiveness while preserving trust and culture.
• Establish clear governance rhythms, decision rights, and accountability structures.

Financial Stewardship and Operational Modernization

• Oversee budgets, financial reporting, compliance, and investment stewardship in partnership with staff, Trustees, and advisors.
• Lead modernization of technology and systems (e.g., donor platforms, data, reporting) to improve donor experience, transparency, and internal efficiency.
• Strengthen financial sophistication and long‑term sustainability while remaining sensitive to legacy donor expectations.

• Preserve confidence and continuity among core and legacy donors during and after the transition.
• Broaden the donor base by engaging younger and more diverse philanthropists and advisors.
• Expand philanthropic tools beyond donor‑advised funds, including initiative and purpose‑driven funds, with careful pacing and clarity.

Grantmaking, Community Impact, and Learning

• Ensure grantmaking is fair, transparent, and aligned with clearly articulated community priorities.
• Guide the evolution of grantmaking toward more strategic, outcome‑oriented philanthropy.
• Promote learning, evaluation, and communication of impact for donors, nonprofits, and the community.

Community Presence and Partnership

• Serve as a visible, trusted, and approachable presence across High Point’s civic, nonprofit, faith, business, and philanthropic sectors.
• Build collaborative partnerships across sectors to address complex community challenges.
• Navigate High Point’s diverse and dynamic relationship‑based environment with respect, independence, and integrity.

Organizational Leadership and Staff Development

• Lead, coach, and empower a capable, mission‑aligned staff team, ensuring clarity of roles, authority, expectations, and workflows.
• Foster a culture of trust, clarity, learning, and follow‑through while maintaining flexibility and respect for staff wellbeing.

• Senior executive leadership experience in philanthropy, nonprofit, or business; community foundation understanding desired.
• Strong financial acumen and comfort overseeing investments, budgets, and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success leading organizations through transition, modernization, and change.
• Deep understanding of community‑based philanthropy and cross‑sector collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, lead, and manage a high-performing team, setting clear goals, fostering professional growth, and building a positive organizational culture.
• Ability to honor legacy while confidently setting boundaries and making difficult decisions.
• Exceptional communication skills and a relational style with the ability to connect across generations and perspectives.
• Governance and board engagement experience.
• Familiarity with North Carolina or similar communities is a plus; deep High Point roots are beneficial but not required.
• A leadership style marked by integrity, humility, emotional intelligence, and follow‑

Professional attributes sought in the next President also include:

• Strategic and pragmatic
• Approachable, grounded, and credible
• Decisive without ego
• Curious and committed to learning
• Comfortable leading in complexity and ambiguity
• Credibility and trustworthiness

About High Point

High Point is a close‑knit city of approximately 115,000 residents in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region. Long known as the “Furniture Capital of the World,” the city has been actively evolving beyond its manufacturing roots into a more diversified economy that includes higher education, healthcare, logistics, entrepreneurship, and creative industries, while still retaining its global identity through the High Point Market. Home to High Point University and a growing network of nonprofit, business, and civic institutions, the community values leaders who are visible, pragmatic, and relationship‑driven. As High Point continues this economic and civic transition, it offers a compelling environment for place‑based philanthropic leadership focused on stewardship, adaptation, and long‑term community impact.

How To Apply

To apply, scroll to the bottom of this page.  You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Z. Smith Reynolds Foundationas well as the stated responsibilities and qualifications.