Executive Director - Indianapolis - Indyhunger

Description

MISSION AND BACKGROUND

Founded in 1989 by Major League Baseball, the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program was created to increase participation and access to baseball and softball among youth in underserved communities. Today, the program reaches more than 200,000 young people across the U.S. and internationally—using sport as a platform for character-building, teamwork, and opportunity.

Indy RBI, established in the early 1980's and now one of the nation's longest-running and most impactful RBI affiliates, has become a cornerstone of youth sport and community development in Indianapolis. Each year, the organization serves more than 1,200–1,400 youth across five Indy Parks locations, offering accessible baseball and softball programming along with wraparound supports that promote health, education, and workforce readiness.

As the official RBI affiliate of the Indianapolis Indians and a key partner of Indianapolis Indians Charities (IIC), Indy RBI has revitalized fields, strengthened community connections, and created pathways for thousands of young people to thrive on and off the field. The organization now stands at an exciting inflection point—building on its legacy to scale impact, deepen partnerships, and evolve as a model for inclusive, community-driven youth development.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and strategic leader for Indy RBI, responsible for guiding the organization into its next era of growth and sustainability. The ED will lead implementation of a multi-year strategic plan, strengthen organizational infrastructure, diversify funding, and elevate Indy RBI's visibility as a national model within the MLB RBI network.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director oversees all operational, financial, programmatic, and external relations activities while serving as the organization's primary spokesperson and ambassador. The role requires an experienced and visionary leader who combines nonprofit management acumen with a deep commitment to equity, youth development, and community collaboration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Direction

• Lead execution of Indy RBI's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with mission, values, and community needs.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen governance, fiscal oversight, and long-term sustainability.
• Advance a unified vision for youth baseball and softball that reflects RBI's national mission while addressing local priorities of inclusion, access, and belonging.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Indianapolis Indians Charities, MLB RBI network, Indy Parks, schools, and civic leaders.

Fundraising & Financial Stewardship

• Develop and implement a diversified fundraising strategy that includes foundation, corporate, and individual giving, as well as public-private partnerships.
• Cultivate major donors and multi-year institutional funders to support organizational capacity, facilities, and wraparound youth services.
• Oversee annual budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal accountability, ensuring transparency and responsible management.
• Manage grant seeking process and vendors in pursuit of capacity-building and transformative grants to support long-term organizational sustainability.

Program Excellence & Impact

• Ensure delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed youth programs that integrate baseball and softball with leadership, wellness, and workforce development.
• Establish and track annual performance indicators related to participation, retention, safety, and partner engagement.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, leveraging data and feedback to enhance outcomes.

Facilities Strategy & Urban Youth Academy Planning

• Lead facility planning and partnerships with Indy Parks, IIC, and civic funders to enhance access and safety across local baseball and softball sites.
• Collaborate with MLB, IIC, and local partners to advance feasibility and planning for a potential Indianapolis Urban Youth Academy, positioning Indy RBI as a hub for training and youth development.
• Manage capital project execution and maintenance to ensure sustainability of community assets.

Partnerships, Wraparound Services & Community Engagement

• Strengthen partnerships that connect youth and families to academic enrichment, mental health, nutrition, and workforce programs.
• Represent Indy RBI in citywide coalitions and youth-serving networks to expand collaborative impact.
• Advance inclusive programming for girls, adaptive athletes, and underrepresented communities.

People & Organizational Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop staff and volunteers to ensure excellence, accountability, and alignment with mission and values.
• Support leadership succession planning and internal capacity-building.
• Cultivate a workplace culture centered on inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Communications & Brand Leadership

• Serve as the organization's chief ambassador and public representative, advancing Indy RBI's profile and visibility locally and nationally.
• Oversee communications, storytelling, and media engagement that elevate youth voices and program impact.
• Represent Indy RBI within the MLB RBI network, positioning Indianapolis as a leader among MiLB-affiliated programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent professional experience) in nonprofit management, sport administration, education, or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit or youth sports settings, including staff and budget management.
• Proven success in strategic planning, fundraising, and cross-sector partnership building.
• Strong operational, communication, and relationship-management skills.
• Commitment to youth development through sport.
• Familiarity with baseball/softball operations and community-based program design preferred.

THE OPPORTUNITY

For more than three decades, Indy RBI has been a lifeline for youth in Indianapolis—reviving fields, building character, and creating opportunity through baseball and softball. As the organization prepares for its next chapter, it seeks a visionary Executive Director to guide its evolution from a strong local program to a recognized leader in inclusive youth sports and community development.

This is an opportunity to honor a proud legacy while shaping a bold future—where every young person, regardless of zip code, has the opportunity to play, grow, and belong.