Nonprofit Recruiting and Executive Search

Your Nonprofit Recruitment Specialists

We are Bristol Associates, a boutique executive search firm, founded in 1967. Our Nonprofit recruitment division supports the nonprofit community by placing remarkable talent in critical leadership positions. Our experienced recruiters have successfully completed numerous searches using our comprehensive industry knowledge, extensive network, and ever-expanding database. We have an excellent track record over our agency’s 55-plus years of business and are regarded as one of the top executive search practices. We recruit key executives across all nonprofit functions nationwide.

We have conducted executive searches for a broad spectrum of nonprofit organizations including foundations, arts and cultural organizations, human services, environmental organizations, and learning establishments including independent schools and higher education institutions. We work collaboratively with our client’s board members and staff to understand their organization’s mission and specific needs. Our valuable contacts and comprehensive database allow us to then source the best candidates from the widest pool possible.

The retained search service Bristol offers includes sourcing, screening, qualified candidate submissions, interview scheduling, and negotiating employment and compensation packages of selected finalists. Each search is unique, and we provide personalized service to gain an in-depth understanding of our clients at the start of our relationship. Our strategy is mindfully tailored based on each client’s needs and culture. We strive to find the best fit for our client companies as well as our candidates. The connections we form with both our clients and candidates are valued, and we maintain these relationships with great care.

Given our firm’s industry focus and vast database of talent, we have in-depth knowledge of compensation ranges from C-suite executives to mid-level management. We regularly advise clients on current job market conditions and consult on matters of compensation including base salaries, bonus programs, commission structures, incentives, benefits, and long-term compensation. For a fair rate, we will provide customized compensation information, à la carte to our main retained search services. The salary data we provide is always anonymous, in that it is tied to job titles and not executives’ names.

Join the Many Nonprofit Companies That Already Recruit with Bristol Associates

Our Satisfied Clients Love to Share Their Experiences Working with Bristol Associates

“Bristol Associates allowed many parties to have their voices heard and gave us an opportunity to see a variety of candidates. We clearly got the best one and were able to do so because of the firm’s prescreening and expert assistance.”

Sel Kardan

President and CEO, The Colburn School

“The company listened to our needs and challenges. Additionally, our representative’s seamless coordination of multiple rounds of interviews made the process effortless. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again.”

Aaron Paley

President, Community Arts Resources (CARS)

“Bristol Associates’ team was very articulate and knowledgeable in helping our organization to define our needs, enterprising in putting out the word for suitable candidates, and thorough and insightful in the initial screening of candidates.”

Allen Robert Gross

Music Director, Orchestra Santa Monica

Why Work with Bristol Associates?

Over 55 Years in Business

We have specialized in executive search since 1967, and are now in our 3rd generation of family ownership.

Specialized

We have unrivaled industry knowledge in the areas in which we focus.

Individualized Service

We provide consultative, individualized service to our client companies. We pride ourselves in conducting our processes confidentially when necessary.

Network of Candidates

With over 1M+ relevant candidates in our private database, and growing every day, we have a strong network of senior-level talent across the board.

Responsiveness

Our recruiters value a communicative relationship with our select client companies and candidates, providing updates throughout the search.

Experienced

Our exceptional lead recruiters each have at least 15 years’ of experience in executive search.

Partner with Bristol Associates

Our Successful Nonprofit Searches Keep Our Clients Coming Back

Executive Director

A newly established Orchestra on the West Coast tasked us to find their Executive Director. The position oversees the general operations of the Orchestra including fundraising, audience development, and community outreach. Alongside the Music Director, our placed candidate represents the organization to the public and provides the leadership necessary to achieve the Orchestra’s institutional and community engagement goals.

Senior Director of Education

We made a placement for a 150+ bed nonprofit community hospital in Southern California. The Senior Director of Education oversees a staff of clinical educators and secretarial support. The position was tasked with creating and instituting a Leadership Development Program for middle and senior management personnel. Our placed candidate is an RN with a Master’s degree.

Controller

The Controller for a California based non-profit healthcare facility with two locations was placed by our firm. The position oversees the monthly accounting closes of the healthcare entities to ensure that monthly financial statements are complete and accurate. Our placed candidate also assists department managers and administrators to ensure that expenses are coded properly.

Manager of Individual Giving

We placed the Manager of Individual Giving at a highly respected performing arts center in Southern California. The institution aims to build a new generation of artists and audience by hosting cutting-edge, first rate performances. The Manager of Individual Giving is a new position that plays a leadership role on the fundraising team. Our placed candidate builds and manages a portfolio of 100-150 current and prospective donors of $500 to $10,000 and above.

We Can Fill Your Roles Across the Nonprofit Industry

  • Annual Fund Manager
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • Controller
  • Database Administrator
  • Database Analyst
  • Director of Human Resources
  • Director of Marketing
  • Director of Marketing and Communications
  • Executive Director
  • Manager of Individual Giving
  • President
  • Vice President of Development
  • Vice President of Operations
  • Vice President of Programs
  • Youth Program Director

We Recruit for Nonprofit Positions Nationwide Including the Following Major Markets