Executive Director
Company: Minnesota Catalyst Alliance
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Job Function: Relationship Management
Background
Minnesota Catalyst Alliance (MCA), formerly known as Catalyst Coalition, is a collaborative network of eight BIPOC-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) across Minnesota. Founded in 2016 and fiscally sponsored by the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), MCA exists to serve and strengthen its member organizations—not by providing direct service to communities, but by building the collective capacity, visibility, and influence of BIPOC-led CDFIs across the state.
MCA was founded in response to persistent systemic barriers that limit access to capital, influence, and opportunity for communities of color and the institutions that serve them. By working together, MCA’s member organizations are building collective power to advocate for resources, influence policy, and expand access to capital and funding for BIPOC-led institutions. MCA is committed to collaborating with member partners to build capacity, pool capital, and align strategically with partners.
As the only statewide BIPOC CDFI coalition in Minnesota, MCA represents a powerful force for advocacy, systems change, and cross-sector collaboration. The alliance has grown steadily over the past eight years and is now backed by a strong foundation of support from key funders including the Bush Foundation and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation. With sustainable funding in place through August 2026, MCA is poised to enter its next chapter of growth—one defined by deeper collaboration, stronger programming, and increased impact.
As MCA looks ahead, the coalition envisions becoming a statewide and national model for collaboration among BIPOC-led CDFIs. In 2024, MCA worked with consultants to develop a strategic programmatic framework to guide its next phase of growth. With a solid foundation and a committed Board of Directors made up of its member CDFI leaders, MCA is now poised to hire its inaugural Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter to build on this momentum, operationalize its mission, and drive long-term impact across the CDFI field. In the next three years, MCA aims to:
- Expand organizational capacity and skillsets to better serve its members;
- Develop new programming that reflects the evolving needs of member organizations and removes systemic barriers to accessing federal resources such as the Capital Magnet Fund;
- Strengthen relationships with elected officials, government agencies, funders, and peer organizations to become a “go-to” resource and thought leader in Minnesota and beyond;
- Identify gaps in the CDFI ecosystem—both within the coalition and more broadly—to ensure inclusive representation and amplify underrepresented voices;
- Serve as a statewide knowledge hub, studying trends across the national CDFI and economic development landscape to inform and uplift the work of BIPOC-led CDFIs in Minnesota.
Summary
Minnesota Catalyst Coalition seeks a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative Executive Director to serve as the organization’s inaugural leader. This is a unique opportunity to shape a new and growing organization, lead with vision and clarity, and build a sustainable model for collective advocacy, capacity building, and racial equity in the community finance ecosystem across the Twin Cities and state of Minnesota.
The Executive Director will be the public face of MCA, responsible for building the organization’s infrastructure, cultivating relationships with philanthropic, public, and private stakeholders, and advancing the goals and priorities of its eight member CDFIs. As a skilled relationship builder and values-driven leader, the Executive Director will foster a culture of trust, communication, and shared purpose among MCA’s member organizations—working to amplify their impact individually and collectively.
The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial and self-directed, with a deep commitment to racial equity and a strong understanding of community development finance. They are an experienced fundraiser and systems thinker who brings experience and cultural competency in working with and alongside BIPOC communities. This leader will be energized by the opportunity to lead a collaborative effort and will have the confidence, humility, and political savvy to navigate diverse interests and drive meaningful change.
Responsibilities
- Provide overall strategic and operational leadership as MCA’s inaugural Executive Director, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
- Establish the internal infrastructure and systems needed to support growth, sustainability, and transparency.
- Lead the process to finalize MCA’s 501(c)(3) status in partnership with legal counsel.
- Develop and manage annual work plans, strategic plans, and operational budgets, ensuring alignment with Board priorities and MCA goals.
- Build and maintain strong, consistent communication with the Board Chair and Board of Directors, including regular progress updates and engagement on key decisions.
- Design and oversee a future staffing model to support programmatic growth and operational needs.
- Ensure that MCA’s guiding principles are reflected in internal practices, partnerships, and external engagements.
- Represent the organization publicly and cultivate a visible, credible presence across the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and nationally.
- Lead the development and execution of MCA’s fundraising strategy.
- Cultivate relationships with institutional funders, individual donors, corporate partners, and government agencies.
- Secure revenue to sustain MCA’s operations and fund its core programs.
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with each member CDFI and create shared value across the network.
- Serve as a convener of member organizations, facilitating connection, communication, and alignment.
- Represent MCA in broader coalitions, with elected officials, in advocacy settings, and with peer organizations.
- Over time, strategically grow membership of local CDFIs that add value and align with MCA’s mission, scope, and overall work.
- Network and build relationships with similar organizations across the country, learn and share industry leading practices, develop thought leadership and grow MCA’s visibility.
- Serve as a compelling spokesperson and representative for MCA’s mission and priorities.
- Lead public policy efforts and advocacy in alignment with member interests.
- Advance visibility and influence for BIPOC-led CDFIs locally and nationally.
Requirements
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and economic justice, with a strong alignment to MCA’s mission of uplifting BIPOC-led CDFIs and addressing systemic barriers to access and capital. Experience leading environmental justice issues is an advantage.
- Proven leadership experience in a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) is strongly preferred, with a deep understanding of the CDFI sector, capital access challenges, and the broader community development finance landscape.
- Experience fundraising from diverse sources, including foundations, public sector entities, and individual donors. Ability to build a long-term revenue generation strategy is essential.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop trust, communicate clearly, and navigate complex dynamics across a wide range of stakeholders including coalition members, funders, elected officials, and community leaders.
- Cultural fluency and lived experience in BIPOC communities or strong depth of cultural competency; ability to lead with confidence, humility, authenticity, and inclusion.
- Collaborative leadership style, with the emotional intelligence and facilitation skills needed to engage and unify diverse member organizations, stakeholders, and partners.
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to serve as a compelling spokesperson, synthesize complex information, and maintain open, transparent dialogue with board members and partners.
- Strategic thinker and systems-level thinker, with the ability to set a vision, translate ideas into action, and manage organizational growth with limited infrastructure.
- Entrepreneurial and self-motivated, with the confidence to lead independently and the humility to learn, ask questions, and adapt in a fast-evolving context.
- Experience with or exposure to policy and advocacy is a plus, particularly with local, state, or federal government. Existing relationships in Minnesota’s policy or philanthropic sectors are an asset.
- Strong management and organizational development skills, including the ability to set priorities, manage budgets, and build systems that support long-term sustainability.
- Residence in or relocation to the Twin Cities metro area is required for this role. While the position allows for some flexibility, the Executive Director must be embedded in the local ecosystem and present for in-person relationship building and representation.
- Experience or demonstrated interest in environmental justice and climate-related funding opportunities is an advantage. Understanding the intersection of racial equity, economic development, and environmental sustainability will strengthen MCA’s ability to shape inclusive, forward-looking programming.
- A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required. MCA values experience, wisdom, and leadership that may come from nontraditional pathways.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $125,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience. This is a contractual position, and MCA is offering up to $14,000 as a stipend to support the Executive Director in securing their own benefits and insurance coverage. MCA is also open to considering a performance-based incentive bonus tied to key organizational milestones.
While the candidate must be located in or willing to relocate to Minnesota, MCA supports a hybrid work arrangement. There is a preference for candidates based in or with deep connections to the Twin Cities region.
This role will initially be structured as a contract position while the Executive Director leads the process of establishing MCA’s 501(c)(3) status. Upon successful determination of nonprofit status, there is an opportunity to transition into a permanent, salaried leadership role.
How to Apply
MCA has retained Campbell & Company to conduct this search.
Explore the full position guide here: https://insights.campbellcompany.com/MCA-ED