Your Nonprofit Executive Search Firm Partner

We believe every remarkable mission deserves a remarkable team. Our track record recruiting Executive Directors to Chief Development Officers – we understand you want a leader who will embrace your culture, drive your Non Profit mission forward, build trust with all of your stakeholders, and make the world a better place. Let’s connect and see if we can help you.

Why Non-Profit Executive Search Requires a Different Approach

Executive recruiting for the non-profit sector is fundamentally different from corporate hiring. It’s not just about credentials—it’s about character, commitment, and cause.

Our search methodology is designed specifically for non-profit leadership recruitment:

• Mission alignment is paramount
  
• Storytelling and values-based branding are core to attracting the right candidates
  
• Culture fit is prioritized over compensation alone
  

Research from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance confirms that mission and impact—not title or salary—are the primary motivators for sector leaders. Our human-centered approach ensures each candidate is not only qualified but genuinely inspired by your work.

Deep Northwest Expertise. Nationwide Non-Profit Talent Reach.

We proudly call the Pacific Northwest home, and our decades of local experience give us a unique lens into the region’s values—from Seattle’s innovation culture to Portland’s equity-driven initiatives and rural Washington’s deep community ties.

But our reach doesn’t stop here. As a nationally connected non-profit talent acquisition partner, we maintain a wide network of purpose-driven leaders ready to relocate or re-engage for the right mission. Our placements span:

• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)
  
• Executive Directors
  
• Chief Operating Officers (COOs)
  
• Chief Development and Impact Officers
  
• Board-level leadership roles
  
• Chief Marketing Officer

We’ve successfully placed leaders across non-profits, foundations, social enterprises, and mission-based associations.

Adapting to Today’s Non-Profit Leadership Challenges

Post-pandemic, non-profits are navigating a more complex hiring environment—marked by workforce burnout, rising expectations for DEI, and remote work shifts. According to Salesforce.org’s 2023 Nonprofit Trends Report, 42% of organizations cite staff recruitment and retention as their top challenge.

As a strategic non-profit executive recruiting partner, we help boards and leadership teams adapt by:

• Crafting inclusive and equitable hiring practices
  
• Embracing hybrid leadership models
  
• Clarifying the evolving expectations of today’s executive talent
  
• Guiding succession planning and stakeholder alignment

What Sets Herd Freed Hartz Apart?

At our core, we believe in the power of mission-led organizations to create positive change. That’s why we’re selective in the searches we take on—and why we approach each one with equal parts passion and precision.

We’re not just recruiters. We’re advisors, partners, and ambassadors for your mission.

What we bring to the table:

• Nearly two decades of executive search expertise
  
• Sector-specific insight across healthcare, education, social justice, environmental nonprofits, the arts, and more
  
• Personalized, high-touch service for every client
  
• A proven ability to deliver leaders who drive both purpose and performance

Our Process: Strategic and Human-Centered

Our non-profit executive search process is tailored, consultative, and transparent:

1. Discovery & Alignment: We work with your board and stakeholders to understand your culture, vision, and leadership needs.
   
2. Role Definition & Outreach: We craft compelling position materials that highlight your mission and community impact.
   
3. Candidate Engagement: We tap our national network and proactively source values-aligned leaders.
   
4. Assessment & Selection: We conduct structured interviews, values-fit screening, and stakeholder-driven evaluations.
   

Onboarding Support: We help ensure a strong start through transition planning and onboarding coaching.

Let’s Build the Future of Non-Profit Leadership — Together

Whether you’re a foundation, advocacy group, or direct service provider, our team is here to help you find the leader who will carry your mission forward. As a dedicated non-profit executive search firm, we’re proud to support the organizations shaping our region—and our future.

Let’s start a conversation about what kind of leadership your organization needs next.