Chief Legal Officer
Job Description:
The Amalgamated Foundation is redefining philanthropy by empowering activism, harnessing generosity, and leveraging technology to build new pathways to move resources quickly and strategically to the frontlines of social change. Since launching in 2018, the Foundation has given away $500 million and built a strong network of partners across the sector. With a goal of reaching $1 billion contributed by 2026, the Foundation is focused on leveling up for sustainable future growth and increasing its ability to seed, convene, and build movements.
To support this trajectory, the Foundation is seeking nominations and applications for its inaugural Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This seasoned legal executive will serve as the Foundation’s General Counsel, providing strategic and operational legal leadership across the organization. The CLO will be a key strategic partner bringing comprehensive legal expertise and proactive leadership to the Foundation.
This role encompasses high-level strategy and hands-on general counsel responsibilities, requiring an experienced legal generalist who is comfortable navigating nonprofit legal frameworks, managing external counsel, and driving innovative approaches to moving capital for social change. The CLO will play a critical role in shaping the Foundation’s next chapter, guiding regulatory compliance, governance, and advocacy readiness while ensuring alignment with its mission-driven values.
Reporting to the CEO, the CLO will work closely with the Director of Compliance and the Senior Strategic Advisor and participate in the Compliance Solutions team. This cross-functional team meets regularly to address legal, regulatory, and compliance issues. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to establish the Foundation’s legal and compliance function, contribute to its long-term strategy, and support its work advancing social justice. While this is a remote position, the Amalgamated Foundation has a strong team presence in Washington, D.C.
About The Amalgamated Foundation
The Amalgamated Foundation was founded in 2018 in partnership with the Amalgamated Bank, which has championed workers’ rights, economic justice, racial equity, human rights, and environmental sustainability for over 100 years. By harnessing the power of collective action and pursuing innovative funding approaches, the Foundation equips the philanthropic sector to respond nimbly to the most urgent challenges. Its community of individuals and institutions leverages its resources creatively to actualize a more just and equitable world. Through its diverse range of giving vehicles, the Foundation maximizes its collective impact to speed up the pace of change.
At its core, the Foundation offers a values-aligned alternative to donor-advised funds managed by mainstream financial investment firms that currently dominate the field. The Foundation’s vision is a platform that will evolve to meet emerging needs and opportunities to move resources for social change.
The Foundation Advances Its Mission In The Following Ways
- Advancing Change Funds – Donor Advised Funds wired to advance social change.
- Combining Impact Funds – Initiated by funders of movement organizations to drive collective impact.
- Amalgamated Strategic Giving – Providing direct support to organizations working for democracy, climate justice, and a fair economy.
- Rapid Response Funds – Pooling resources to address urgent natural and civic crises.
- Aligned Capital – Impact investing options.
- Sector Leadership – Leading values-driven initiatives like Hate is Not Charitable, #HalfMyDAF, and its Fellows program.
Over the next five years, the Foundation aims to scale sustainably, increasing its ability to seed, convene, and build movements while maintaining a commitment to transparency, equity, and innovation.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER
The CLO will be a dynamic, forward-thinking, and solutions-oriented legal strategist with the ability to synthesize complex information and provide practical, actionable guidance. They will be instrumental in helping the Foundation achieve its ambitious goals while navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory and political environment. This role will require a collaborative leader who thrives in ambiguity, proactively manages risks, and contributes meaningfully to advancing the Foundation’s mission.
This Role Will Include The Following Responsibilities
Strategic Legal Leadership
- Serve on the leadership team, contributing to the organization’s overall strategy and long-term planning.
- Act as General Counsel, guiding on complex legal matters, including governance, compliance, and risk management, ensuring the Foundation’s operations are legally sound and aligned with its mission.
- Anticipate and navigate legal challenges arising from the Foundation’s growing profile, including responding to subpoenas, engaging with legislative inquiries, and managing reputational risks.
- Support the development of innovative legal structures to facilitate creative capital movement and impact investing initiatives.
Operational Legal Support
- Oversee and support day-to-day General Counsel activities, including contract review, employment legal matters, and compliance oversight.
- Drive and manage relationships with external counsel, ensuring timely, high-quality support across litigation, employment law, grantmaking, 501(c)(3) compliance, and other specialized areas.
- Collaborate with the Director of Compliance, Senior Strategic Advisor, Compliance Solutions and Leadership teams to build an integrated approach to legal and compliance functions, streamlining workflows and ensuring regulatory alignment.
Organizational Development
- Establish and build out the Foundation’s internal legal function, developing systems, processes, and policies that support a growing and dynamic organization.
- Provide practical, solutions-oriented advice to leadership and staff, balancing legal risk with organizational values and priorities.
- Foster a culture of proactive legal engagement, equipping Foundation teams with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate legal considerations effectively.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person holding this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. ACF reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.
Desired Qualifications
While no one candidate will possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will be passionate about the Amalgamated Foundation’s mission and bring many of the following skills and experiences:
- Seasoned attorney with at least 12 to 15 years of significant legal experience, ideally across different sectors and/or types of organizations, including foundations, social enterprises, and mission-aligned entities.
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar association.
- Deep expertise in nonprofit law, including 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) regulations, governance, and grantmaking.
- Proven ability to craft high-impact legal strategies that balance organizational goals with regulatory requirements.
- Experience navigating politically charged environments and managing external legal challenges, including subpoenas and legislative inquiries.
- Comfort with innovative problem-solving, including impact investing, alternative funding structures, and creative approaches to moving capital.
- Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with external counsel and oversee high-quality legal support.
- Collaborative and service-oriented leadership style with a track record of establishing systems and teams in growth-oriented organizations.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to distill complex legal concepts into actionable guidance for diverse stakeholders.
- Deep commitment to advancing social justice and equity through values-driven legal leadership.
- Familiarity with organizational practices that prioritize employee-friendly approaches while balancing employer protection.
- Proven ability to build and mentor high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth in dynamic environments.
- Comfort navigating ambiguity and balancing competing priorities in dynamic environments.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong management skills and a collaborative approach to leadership.
- Strong organizational development background.
- Ability to joyfully work in a start-up and remote environment.
WORK LOCATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Work Location: This role is remote and can be based anywhere in the United States. This position will require up to 15% travel. The Amalgamated Foundation has a strong team presence in Washington, D.C.
Salary and Benefits: The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $238,000 to $280,000 annually. A generous benefits package is also provided through Amalgamated Foundation, which includes:
- Excellent health benefits with 100% employer-paid coverage.
- Respect for work-life balance, including a flexible work-from-home policy with a remote office stipend.
- 20 days of vacation, 10 sick days, and 13 paid holidays.
- Parental and caregiver leave options.
- 401(k) with match.
TO APPLY
More information about Amalgamated Foundation may be found at: amalgamatedfoundation.org.
This search is being led by Emily Wexler, Rachel Burgoyne, and Alejandra Villa of NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume, via NPAG’s website.
At Amalgamated Charitable Foundation, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people from working-class backgrounds and/or with lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.
