Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Detroit Champions for Hope (DCH)
Posting Date: September 16, 2026 | Application Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Apply Here: https://forms.gle/KkkZdmfQ5A99zLmdA

About Detroit Champions for Hope

Detroit Champions for Hope (DCH) is a community-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming systems so that Detroit is a city that puts children and families first. Rooted in the belief that parents and caregivers are their children’s first teachers and champions, DCH works across all seven Detroit City Council districts to move families from surviving to legacy building.

DCH’s work directly advances the Hope Starts Here framework for early childhood, specifically driving Imperative #2: transforming systems to support parents and caregivers as children’s first champions. We do this by supporting the active role of families in children’s development, strengthening the programs and policies that serve them, and cultivating a citywide network of advocates for early childhood.

The Opportunity & Position Overview

DCH is seeking an inspiring, strategic, and community-rooted Executive Director to lead our organization into its next phase of growth, innovation, and systemic impact.

The Executive Director will serve as the organizational anchor and public voice of DCH, overseeing our six core project areas—6-A-Day Early Childhood Engagement, Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA), MDHHS Navigators Extension, Detroit Urban Resource Collaboration (URC), Podcast & Community Storytelling, and Library Engagement.

The incoming leader will also steward DCH’s pioneering AI-informed operating model, which leverages human-led, AI-supported workflows (including Google Workspace and NotebookLM) to reduce administrative reporting burdens so our team can spend less time at desks and more time building relationships with families.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Vision & Hope Starts Here Alignment: Lead organizational strategy aligned with Hope Starts Here Imperative #2, ensuring Detroit families are equipped to advocate for their children in schools, health systems, and policy arenas.
• Program Leadership & Community Impact: Direct DCH’s neighborhood-based organizing model across all seven City Council districts, guiding signature initiatives such as 6-A-Day caregiver workshops and KOHA oral health navigation.
• Systems Change & Policy Advocacy: Mobilize community learning sessions, Family Action Circles, and policy tables to dismantle systemic barriers affecting maternal, infant, and early childhood health in Detroit.
• Fundraising, Stewardship & Financial Growth: Build sustainable revenue streams through grants, foundation relationships, corporate employer allies, and donor stewardship to maintain DCH’s strong operating foundation.
• Innovative & AI-Supported Operations: Oversee DCH’s values-aligned AI governance framework, ensuring technology serves as a "GPS" for administrative tasks while keeping humans strictly accountable for privacy, equity, and relationship building.
• Board & Partner Governance: Work closely with the DCH Board of Directors, community coalitions, and university partners (such as the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center) to ensure organizational accountability and transparency.

Candidate Qualifications & Competencies

• Mission Alignment & Detroit Roots: Deep commitment to Detroit families, early childhood development, and racial equity, with a demonstrated record of honoring resident-led expertise.
• Nonprofit & Executive Leadership: Proven experience managing nonprofit operations, program budgets, staff teams, and board relationships.
• Systems Thinking & Strategic Partnerships: Ability to build and navigate multi-sector collaborations across health systems, libraries, schools, and state agencies.
• Fundraising & Development Record: Successful track record in grant writing, funder cultivation, and securing organizational support.
• Tech-Forward & Innovation Mindset: Openness to leading an AI-informed operating model that values data-informed reporting, administrative efficiency, and responsible technology safeguards.
• Authentic Communication: A compelling speaker and active listener who can articulate DCH’s story to diverse audiences—from neighborhood block clubs to foundation boards and legislative committees.

How to Apply

Applications open today, September 16, 2026, and close on September 30, 2026. Interested candidates should complete the official application form and submit their cover letter and resume using the link below:

? Submit Your Executive Director Application Here

Detroit Champions for Hope is an equal opportunity employer. Detroit residents, parents, and caregivers are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Applications open today, September 16, 2026, and close on September 30, 2026. Interested candidates should complete the official application form and submit their cover letter and resume using the link below:

? Submit Your Executive Director Application Here

Detroit Champions for Hope is an equal opportunity employer. Detroit residents, parents, and caregivers are strongly encouraged to apply.