About the Melton Foundation

The Melton Foundation is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to developing globally minded leaders who collaborate across cultures to address complex social challenges. Through fellowships, global convenings, leadership development programs, and learning communities, the Foundation cultivates ethical leadership, civic responsibility, and global citizenship.

Operating across regions and cultures, the Melton Foundation works at the intersection of leadership, education, and social impact. Our global Fellowship community, partners, and alumni continue to shape inclusive and collaborative responses to local and global challenges.

Our Leadership Structure

We currently operate with an Executive Office and a distributed leadership structure, supported by a globally dispersed team and guided by an engaged Board of Directors. Leadership responsibilities are shared across the organization, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, trust, and collective ownership. While the Executive Office leads day-to-day operations and programmatic direction, the Board provides oversight, strategic guidance, and brings together diverse perspectives and deep experience across fields including nonprofit leadership, education, governance, and social impact.

As we continue to evolve, this moment presents an opportunity to further integrate leadership across governance, staff, and community.

We are now launching a search for our next Executive Director and seek to partner with a high-touch executive search firm that brings sound judgment, strong networks, and experience working closely with our Board of Directors in mission-driven, globally oriented contexts.

The selected Executive Director is expected to begin employment no later than June 1, 2026.

Request for Proposals (RFP): Executive Director Search & Recruitment Services

The Melton Foundation invites qualified executive search firms to submit proposals to partner with us in identifying and appointing our next Executive Director. This ‘Request for Proposals’ (RFP) outlines the scope of work, desired qualifications, proposal requirements, evaluation criteria, and the anticipated timeline for selecting a search partner.

This RFP is intended for distribution to experienced executive search and recruitment firms and may be shared as a standalone document.

Purpose of this RFP

We invite proposals from qualified executive search firms, particularly those with experience supporting small-asset, mission-driven nonprofit organizations and conducting international or globally informed searches.

The purpose of this RFP is to identify a search partner capable of delivering a right-sized, high-touch Executive Director search, from search launch through finalist selection and leadership transition. The Foundation values a thoughtful, inclusive, and relationship-centered approach that reflects its values and global footprint.

Scope of Services

The selected firm will support the Board of Directors through a comprehensive Executive Director search process from strategy through transition. This includes partnering closely with the Board to finalize the Executive Director position profile and leadership mandate, and advising on a search strategy aligned with the Foundation’s mission, values, organizational culture, and global context. The firm will conduct a national and/or international search, proactively source, engage, and cultivate a diverse and highly qualified candidate pool, and manage all candidate communications and engagement throughout the process.

The firm will also review applications, conduct initial screening interviews, and assess candidates’ leadership experience, governance fluency, cross-cultural competence, and organizational management capacity. This includes presenting a vetted slate of semifinalists and finalists supported by written assessments and insights, coordinating interviews with the Board of Directors, designated committees, and relevant stakeholders, supporting reference checks and finalist due diligence, advising the Board throughout the decision-making and selection process, assisting with offer negotiation and acceptance, and providing guidance on onboarding and leadership transition planning.

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Proposals should be concise and need not exceed 5–7 pages. Submissions should include the following components:

  1. Firm Overview: A brief overview of the firm and its executive search practice, including relevant experience working with nonprofit, foundation, and/or globally oriented organizations.

  2. Search Approach: A brief overview of the firm and its executive search practice, highlighting relevant experience with nonprofit, foundation, or global organizations.

  3. Proposed Team: Identification of the lead consultant(s) and a description of how the proposed team would partner with the Board of Directors throughout the search process.

  4. Timeline & Availability: Confirmation of the firm’s ability to meet the Foundation’s timeline.

  5. Fee Structure: A proposed fee model and total cost, including a clear description of the services included.

  6. References: Two to three references from comparable executive searches.

Submission Instructions

Executive search firms are invited to submit their proposals electronically in PDF format via the form linked below.

Reference:
Dr. Roland Bullard
Chair, Board of Directors, Melton Foundation

Submission Deadline: February 16, 2026, at 11:59 AM CST 
(Please note that proposal review will begin immediately upon receipt.)

DEADLINE EXPIRED.

Selection Considerations

Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with the Melton Foundation’s mission, values, and leadership context; demonstrated experience conducting similar executive searches; the quality, clarity, and thoughtfulness of the proposed search approach; and the firm’s ability to meet the anticipated timeline.

Foundation Discretion

The Melton Foundation reserves the right to select a firm based on best overall fit and value, request additional information from submitting firms, and conduct interviews with finalist firms prior to selection.

Appendix: Executive Director Position Profile & Mandate

Position Overview: Executive Director, Duties & Responsibilities

  • Title: Executive Director

  • Reports To: Board of Directors

  • Start Date: No later than June 1, 2026

  • Location: Global / Flexible

Leadership Mandate

The Executive Director leads the Melton Foundation in close partnership with the Board of Directors and the global community it serves. This role calls for a collaborative, relationship-centered leader who can connect Board governance with a staff culture built on trust, shared leadership, and purpose.

The Executive Director is responsible for setting and advancing the Foundation’s strategy, overseeing operations, and ensuring strong alignment across programs, people, and governance. They work closely with the Board, support staff and organizational development, and communicate clearly and transparently across a globally distributed organization.

The role also includes stewarding the Foundation’s financial sustainability, supporting resource development where relevant, and representing the Melton Foundation in global spaces. A key part of the role is staying closely connected to the Fellowship, supporting, engaging, and strengthening the global community of Fellows and alumni as the Foundation continues to evolve.

Note: The selected search firm will work collaboratively with us to further refine and finalize the Executive Director position profile for dissemination during the search process.

Tentative Executive Director Search Timeline (At-a-Glance)

  • January 30: RFP released to executive search firms

  • February 16: Proposals due

  • February 16–20: Review of proposals and finalist firm interviews

  • February 21: Search firm selected and contracted

  • Late February: Search kickoff and position profile finalization

  • March: Candidate outreach and sourcing

  • Early April: Semifinalist review

  • Late April: Finalist interviews and Board selection

  • May 15: Public announcement of the new Executive Director

Governance & Communication Assumptions

The Board of Directors retains final decision-making authority throughout the search process. The selected search firm will manage recruitment logistics and candidate vetting, while regular updates are shared with the Melton Foundation community at key milestones. Structured opportunities for community feedback will be incorporated during the finalist stage.

The Melton Foundation looks forward to partnering with an executive search firm that shares our commitment to ethical leadership, global citizenship, and inclusive organizational practice.

Firms that meet the outlined criteria are encouraged to review the full RFP and prepare a submission in accordance with the guidelines above by February 16, 2026, at 11:59 CST.