Central Furniture Rescue Chief Executive Officer

 

Position Purpose

The Chief Executive Officer is the sole staff member accountable to the Board of Directors of Central Furniture Rescue. The Board delegates full authority and responsibility for organizational performance to the Chief Executive Officer, subject only to Board policies and applicable law. The Chief Executive Officer is accountable for achieving the Board’s Ends and for operating within the Board’s Executive Limitations.

This role is intentionally external-facing and strategic, with primary emphasis on vision, sustainability, funding, partnerships, and public leadership. Operational execution is delegated to the Operations Director and managed through clear internal systems and accountability.

  Board–Executive Relationship

• The Chief Executive Officer reports only to the Board acting as a whole.
• The Chief Executive Officer does not take direction from individual Board members or committees.
• The Board evaluates the Chief Executive Officer solely on achievement of Board Ends and compliance with Executive Limitations.
• The Chief Executive Officer has full authority to determine the means used to achieve Board Ends, including staff structure, delegation, and operational methods.

 

Core Accountability Areas

1. Achievement of Board Ends

The Chief Executive Officer ensures that Central Furniture Rescue achieves the outcomes defined by the Board, including:

• Providing safe, functional furnishings to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness
• Delivering services in a dignified, timely, and effective manner
• Balancing mission impact, cost effectiveness, and long-term sustainability

The Chief Executive Officer determines strategy, priorities, and methods for achieving these outcomes.

 

2. Organizational Leadership and Strategy

The Chief Executive Officer:

• Sets and stewards organizational vision, strategic direction, and priorities
• Translates Board Ends into actionable strategies and performance goals • Ensures organizational adaptability and responsiveness to community needs
• Establishes internal policies, systems, and management practices necessary for consistency, quality, and risk management

 

3. Resource Development and Revenue Strategy

The Chief Executive Officer has full ownership of revenue strategy and sustainability, including:

•  Major gifts, sponsorships, and individual donor relationships
•  Grant strategy, compliance, and reporting
•  Earned and program revenue, including service fees, program income, and upcycled  mattress sales
•  Fundraising campaigns and events

The Chief Executive Officer partners with the Board in ambassadorial and fundraising roles while retaining management authority.

 

4. External Relations, Partnerships, and Public Voice

The Chief Executive Officer serves as the primary external representative of the organization and:

•  Cultivates referring partners, donation partners, and community stakeholders
•  Leads speaking engagements with churches, civic groups, corporations, and   community events
•  Hosts and oversees CFR tours for donors, partners, and prospective supporters
•  Protects and strengthens the organization’s public image and reputation

 

5. Marketing and Communications Ownership

The Chief Executive Officer retains full ownership of brand, messaging, and narrative, including:

•  Brand positioning and organizational voice
•  Campaign themes, priorities, and content strategy
•  Media relations and storytelling
•  Messaging for fundraising, events, tours, and donor communications
•  Oversight of outsourced and volunteer-supported communications functions

 

6. Financial Stewardship and Risk Management

The Chief Executive Officer:

•  Operates within Board-approved budgets and financial policies
•  Ensures accurate and timely financial reporting
•  Maintains appropriate internal controls and risk management practices
•  Oversees outsourced financial services, including payroll, audits, tax filings, and compliance
•  Protects organizational assets and insurance coverage

 

7. Staff, Volunteer, and Management Structure

The Chief Executive Officer:

• Recruits, supervises, and evaluates the Operations Director
• Establishes clear delegation and accountability for operations, programs, and internal execution
• Ensures lawful, equitable, and values-aligned treatment of staff and volunteers
• Builds a healthy, safe, and mission-driven organizational culture

Operational execution, including warehouse operations, vehicles, client services, volunteers, facilities, and daily logistics, is delegated to the Operations Director, consistent with the CFR Task Division framework.

 

Scope of Direct Responsibility vs. Delegation

1. Chief Executive Officer– Direct Responsibility

•  Vision, strategy, and Ends achievement
•  Board relationship and governance alignment
•  Revenue strategy and major fundraising
•  External partnerships and public leadership
•  Brand, messaging, and communications ownership
•  Financial oversight and sustainability

 

2. Delegated Through Chief Operating Officer

• Day-to-day operations and program delivery
• Warehouse, vehicles, and facilities
• Client services and volunteer management
• Data systems and operational reporting
• Safety, quality control, and logistics

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum five (5) years of senior nonprofit leadership experience
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, financial oversight, and external relations
• Experience working within a clear governance–management distinction
• Strong strategic leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills

 

Performance Evaluation

The Chief Executive Officer is evaluated annually by the Board using a policy-based evaluation tool aligned to the Carver Policy Governance Model.

Evaluation is based solely on:

• Reasonable progress toward achievement of Board Ends
• Compliance with Executive Limitations

Operational activities, methods, or personal leadership style are not evaluation criteria unless explicitly addressed in Board policy.

 

Compensation

• The Chief Executive Officer position offers a salary range of $70,000–$80,000, commensurate with experience.
• The sole benefit provided is a flexible work schedule.
• Compensation is established by the Board of Directors in alignment with the organization’s budget and operational priorities.