Director of Community Leadership & Communications

What We Do

The Rancho Santa Fe Foundation (RSFF) partners with individuals, families, and organizations to turn philanthropic aspirations into meaningful action. Since 1981, RSFF has helped donors make thoughtful, impactful investments locally and beyond while strengthening nonprofit organizations and communities. Celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2026, RSFF is entering a period of growth and institutional evolution as it expands from a traditional grantmaker into a premier philanthropic platform serving donors, advisors, and nonprofit partners across San Diego County.

Our work is built on four core pillars of success:

• Exceptional Customer Service - We deeply value our relationships with donors, professional staff, volunteers, and nonprofit partners.
• Superior Financial Stewardship - We provide rigorous governance and fiscal management to ensure the long-term impact of every gift.
• Trusted Philanthropic Advisor - We lead with integrity and expertise, serving as a reliable resource for visionary giving.
• Impactful Community Leadership - We are invested in the measurable outcomes and sustainable health of the communities we serve.

RSFF’s internal mission is focused on high-leverage, local impact. We manage a modest grantmaking portfolio, allowing us to take a focused leadership role in San Diego County through our four key initiatives: Supporting our Heroes, Rancho Santa Fe, Homelessness Prevention, and Fire Prevention & Preparedness.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

Guided by a deeply committed board of community leaders, RSFF stands as one of the most trusted philanthropic organizations in the region. The Director of Community Leadership & Communications will report directly to our President & CEO, Ben Moraga, an experienced nonprofit executive with over 25 years of leadership across the government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors.

Ben is recognized by his team as a responsive, visionary leader who fosters a culture of high trust and professional autonomy, providing the strategic support necessary for his staff to excel. The Director will join an energetic and talented team of six, working collaboratively to connect donors with community needs through visionary leadership, personalized service, and effective grantmaking.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $79,000 - $93,000
• Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) Match
• PTO: 12 paid days off (Year 1), 19 days (Year 2), 24 days (Year 3+); 13 paid holidays
• Volunteerism: 4 hours/month of paid volunteer time plus quarterly team volunteer opportunities

LOCATION

RSFF is located at 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, CA 92024. To foster a collaborative team environment, employees work onsite three days a week (Monday is required), with the entire staff working remotely on Fridays.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Community Leadership & Communications is a high-impact position designed to grow RSFF’s regional influence by serving as a proactive, discerning strategic partner to our fundholders. Reporting to the President & CEO, this role blends program strategy, donor education, and cross-sector partnership building.

In this high-visibility role, the Director serves as a strategic bridge, proactively identifying opportunities to match and leverage fundholder resources with nonprofit organizations whose missions align with our intended outcomes. Rather than broad community advocacy, the focus is on creating opportunities that empower fundholders to make a measurable difference through visionary, alongside-us giving.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Leadership & Program Strategy

• Advance the vision and execution of RSFF’s community leadership objectives, clearly aligned with our strategic plan.
• Identify emerging community needs and position RSFF as a strategic convener and catalyst.
• Develop high-impact convenings, learning initiatives, and collaborative partnerships that move donors from passive giving to purposeful action.
• Represent RSFF publicly across nonprofit, civic, and philanthropic networks.

Grantmaking & Impact Strategy

• Oversee strategic grantmaking programs and evaluation frameworks.
• Manage the full grants lifecycle utilizing RSFF’s grants management processes.
• Partner with leadership and board committees to align investments with mission and community priorities.

Communications & Brand Leadership

• Lead RSFF’s external voice, storytelling, and visibility strategy.
• Oversee integrated communications, including digital platforms, publications, and events.
• Translate programmatic impact into compelling narratives that strengthen donor engagement and community influence.
• Manage communications vendors and ensure brand consistency across all channels.

Leadership & Organizational Collaboration

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President & CEO.
• Staff and support the Grants & Initiatives Committee.
• Supervise and mentor the Program & Communications Coordinator.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• A proactive relationship builder with the professional judgment to navigate complex donor relationships.
• A strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to “connect the dots” between regional needs and philanthropic resources.
• A collaborative leader with a deep understanding of the San Diego philanthropic ecosystem.
• Exceptional communication skills, specifically the ability to translate technical impact into visionary opportunities for donors.
• A successful manager with a demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team, fostering a culture of high performance, professional growth, and mutual respect.
• Strong familiarity with donor-advised funds and the nuances of community foundations.
• An agile, entrepreneurial professional who thrives in a high-autonomy environment.