Lavasha Smith

Grantmaking Strategy & Program Development 35%

• Develop and implement department goals and vision to guide ORF direction and outcomes.
• Identify and create new initiatives that expand upon and align with ORF’s long-term vision.
• Oversee planning, curriculum design and content development for ORF grantmaking and programming.
• Oversee the ORF Advisory Committee in grant program design and grantee selection.
• Implement equitable grantmaking models tailored to Black communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
• Oversee all grant management processes, including application review and fund distribution, to ensure an effective, efficient, clear and community-responsive grant application and grantmaking process.
• Stay informed on best practices in grantmaking to refine and evolve ORF’s approach.
• Ensure ORF gift recipient engagement aligns with Nexus’ community engagement and relational values of grantmaking.
• Secure and manage vendors and contracts to achieve ORF’s goals and outcomes for grantmaking and program delivery.

Team Supervision and Management 25%

• Collaborate with the Director of Human Resources and Organizational Culture to recruit, hire, onboard, develop and retain top talent within the ORF team.
• Supervise, coach and support ORF staff, fostering professional growth and ensuring operational capacity.
• Clearly articulate ORF’s annual and long-term vision and strategic priorities, providing strategic oversight of all ORF programs and activities.
• Establish clear communication channels within the ORF team.
• Identify and facilitate necessary training programs for ORF staff onboarding, growth and skill development.
• Align ORF initiatives with Nexus’ mission, values, and practices.
• Set clear performance and professional development goals and conduct timely performance reviews for direct reports.
• Facilitate team building and collaboration efforts within the ORF team and across the organization to foster strong team rapport, communication and collaboration.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement 15%

• Develop and execute an outreach and engagement strategy to raise awareness of ORF opportunities and influence the field of Black community wealth building.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with grantees, advisory committee members, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Represent and raise the visibility of ORF through writing, messaging, public speaking, external forums and other platforms in community and philanthropy.
• Partner with the communications team to amplify ORF’s impact and promote Black wealth-building initiatives.
• Provide leadership and build strategic relationships in external committees and learning spaces to advance Black community wealth building opportunities and the mission of ORF.
• Develop and leverage strategic partnerships with funders, stakeholders, and other aligned organizations, including NDN Collective, in collaboration with the Vice President of Programs, that enhance the Open Road Fund.

Research, Evaluation, & Learning 10%

• Create and oversee evaluation and learning plans for all of ORF.
• Direct ORF’s research and evaluation process to assess program effectiveness.
• Collaborate with evaluation consultants to design and implement evaluation program.
• In collaboration with communications, ensure that the narrative, impact, insights and data of ORF are developed and periodically shared with key stakeholders, including funders, board members, and community partners.
• Guide adjustments and strategies based on feedback, evaluation and emerging needs to improve ORF strategies and outcomes.

Organizational Leadership 10%

• Share relevant insights and updates across Nexus staff and board to foster alignment and learning.
• Contribute to Nexus’ organizational culture, strategy, and goals as a leader.
• Ensure compliance with legal and financial regulations in collaboration with the Vice President of Programs & Strategy.
• Uphold Nexus’ core values of continuous learning, cultural appreciation, collaboration, and reflective leadership.

Fundraising, Financial Management & Compliance 5%

• Develop and monitor a strategic ORF budget in collaboration with finance staff and the VP of Programs & Strategy.
• Participate and inform fundraising activities, including grant writing, reporting and funder engagement.
• Provide team leadership for legal, organizational policy, and financial compliance.
• Partnering with the Vice President of Programs, President and CEO, and investment firm, to monitor the investment strategy and management of the ORF funds.

• Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
• Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
• Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
• Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.

• Served as first point of contact for business owners considering succession planning.
• Coordinated with key stakeholders and deliver education, training, and technical assistance for business owners, workers, and community members related to worker cooperative development and conversions.
• Coordinated communications material and content for paid media buys.
• Built and engaged in relationships with communities to enhance the mission and work of WOI
• Retaine and refined relationships with experts in the field to help deliver content for the Business Conversions program.
• Supported the development and implementation of a community engagement strategy to elevate worker ownership in Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

• Spearheaded BBBSTC's first affinity group for People of Color and Indigenous people.
• Lead the vision and strategy for the POCIRC group.
• Planned, organized, and supervised complex projects and provide ongoing consultation, coaching, and expertise to internal collaborators.
• Analyze the agency’s policies with an equity lens.
• Provided ongoing presentations, resources, and materials to support equitable outcomes.
• Worked on recruitment efforts to increase the number of volunteers of color.
• Reviewed materials before meetings.
• Oversaw operations and handle issues are they arise. ∙ Facilitate meetings and create agenda items.
• Created a cultural calendar for all staff.
• Host various cultural events within the agency.
• Communicated with staff about updates and changes.
• Ensured development and achievement of program budget and ensure financial goals are met on an ongoing basis.
• Establish external community partnerships that will enhance operations for the affinity group and agency.

Big Brothers Big Sisters St. Paul, MN June 2019-June 2021

Program Specialist

∙ Administer incoming volunteer applications using several databases. ∙ Manage database lists and manage application flow of incoming SB and FA participants.

∙ Conduct reference calls, process background checks, and review references.

∙ Track incoming volunteers for SB and Free Arts.

∙ Coordinate a high volume of interviews.

∙ Manage receipts for the school-based team.

∙ Regularly review Program Specialist procedures for increased quality of support.

∙ Lead and facilitate race equity workshops

∙ Co-facilitated YIPA (youth intervention program alliance) webinar for youth workers

∙ Track analytics and monitor program outcomes.

• Scheduled and conducted in-depth, in-person interviews with volunteers and youth/families
• Ensured all parents/guardians receive an in-depth orientation of our program
• Completed comprehensive assessments, to include recommendations for Mentorship

• Provided in-home case management to families who have experienced homelessness.
• Tracked, Recorded, and Document ed accurate case files promptly.
• Facilitated team-building activities.
• Worked closely with clients on individual goal planning and tracked progress.
• Collaborate with other service providers to ensure that clients are receiving adequate service.

• Provided in-home case management for low-income families and families in crisis.
• Conducted interviews and assessments to provide assistance in problem-solving.
• Created program manual for staff in the specific in-home program.
• Accurately documented progress notes in the agency database.
• Established rapport with clients to identify needs and coordinate services.
• Lead team meetings.
• Worked closely with county workers, community agencies, and child protection workers