Your Partner in Not-for-Profit Executive Search

Connecting Not-for-Profit Organizations with Visionary Leaders

Why Choose Bedford Group?

The Not-for-Profit sector faces unique challenges, from increasing competition and funding constraints to navigating public scrutiny. Finding executives who can balance these demands while driving meaningful impact is critical for success. As specialists in Not-for-Profit executive search with decades of experience in the industry, we understand these complexities and partner with organizations to navigate them effectively. We are dedicated to helping organizations secure visionary, principled, and strategic leaders who can advance their mission and create lasting value.

Specialized Expertise in Not-for-Profit Executive Recruitment

With decades of experience in the industry, Bedford Group TRANSEARCH has developed a profound understanding of the landscape, enabling us to conduct thorough executive searches tailored to the needs of not-for-profit organizations.

Proven Diagnostic Tools for a Perfect Fit

Our proprietary assessment tools measure candidates across four critical dimensions, ensuring the leaders we place possess the strategic acumen and fiscal responsibility to drive not-for-profits towards realizing their vision, mission, and values.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We believe diversity is essential for impactful leadership. In 2023, nearly half of our shortlisted candidates came from diverse backgrounds, reflecting our commitment to helping not-for-profits build inclusive leadership teams.

#1

performing office among 60 global Transearch locations

93%

three-year retention rate for placed candidates

5000+

successful executive searches globally

85%

of our clients come from repeat business

60

offices in 40+ countries

Comprehensive Solutions

Retained Executive Search

In today’s fast-changing world, a successful executive search is more critical than ever. Bedford specializes in nonprofit recruitment, using our deep industry knowledge and proprietary tools to identify the right leaders for you.

With a 93.4% three-year retention rate and over 5,000 successful searches globally, we are the #1 performing TRANSEARCH office among 60 locations. 41.6% of our shortlisted candidates were diverse in 2023, and 85% of our clients return for repeat business.

Retained Broad Search

As specialists in Not-for-Profit board recruitment, we help organizations build effective, inclusive, and strategic boards that bring diversity of thought, background, and perspective to support their missions and drive meaningful impact.

Your board is relied on for guidance, sound judgment, and advancing your mission. We have experience conducting search and succession planning for entire Board teams, Chair of the Board and Directors, delivering board members who are purpose-driven and fit for today’s evolving nonprofit landscape.

Executive & Board Compensation Services

We advise Not-for-Profit Executive Committees and Boards of Directors on all aspects of board and executive remuneration, ensuring compensation strategies align with the organization’s mission and sector best practices.

Our services cover salary structure and planning, annual cash incentives, and long-term incentives such as stock options, RSUs, PSUs, DSUs, and phantom share plans. We also assist with termination provisions, change-in-control planning, and employee savings or share purchase plans. Contact us or visit our Executive & Board Compensation Services page to learn more.

Proactive Talent Scouting & Succession

Progressive not-for-profit boards face increasing challenges in managing their leadership and governance needs. We address these challenges with customizable Talent Scouting Research Reports, designed to support strategic planning and succession.

These reports provide a multi-dimensional review of each role, its development, and future leadership requirements. They include detailed profiles, Bedford’s insights on North American and global talent, real-time benchmarks to compare internal capabilities, and opportunities to build relationships with top candidates through discreet, transparent meetings.

Subsectors We Serve

Specialized Expertise in Not-for-Profit Executive Search and Board Recruitment

We bring unparalleled knowledge to these subsectors:

Charities
Philanthropy
Union
Hospitals
Associations
Non-Government Organizations

Arts & Culture
Boards of Trade / Chambers of Commerce
Government Agencies
Housing and Intergovernmental Organizations

Recruiting Top-Level Roles in the Not-for-Profit and Nonprofit Sector

We specialize in nonprofit executive search services for a wide range of leadership roles, including C-suite titles such as CEO, CFO, and CTO, as well as functional roles like Vice Presidents, Directors, and Project Managers. Our expertise ensures we identify top talent to meet the unique needs of each organization.

Click here to view some of unique functional roles we recruit for in the Not-for-Profit industry

Executive Director
Chief Development Officer
Chief Administrative Officer
Vice President, Human Resources
Vice President, Clinical and Community Services
Vice President, Innovation and Enterprise Development
Vice President, Public Affairs
Vice President, Business Development

Director of Finance
Director of Memberships
Director, Supply Chain Operations
Director, Programs and Partnerships
Director, Fundraising and Community Engagement
Director, People and Culture
Director, Event Operations
Advancement, Philanthropy & Development

Trusted by Mission-Driven Organizations

Driving Impact Through Not-for-Profit Executive Search

News & Insights

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10 Strategies for Bridging the Board Diversity Gap

As companies aim to diversify their boardrooms, the slow advancement and persistent gender disparities remain concerning. Insights from The Bedford Group Transearch’s latest compensation reports further highlight the ongoing need for gender equity in board...

Bedford Group Congratulates Royal Botanical Gardens on Hire of New Chief Executive Officer

PRESS RELEASE TORONTO, ONT – November 24, 2020 – Bedford Consulting Group is pleased to congratulate Nancy Rowland as she begins her role as Chief Executive Officer for Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), the largest botanical garden in Canada, a National Historic Site and...