The Organization
Staunton Farm Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people who live with behavioral health issues and/or substance use disorders. The Foundation works to enhance behavioral health treatment and support by advancing best practices through grantmaking to nonprofit organizations in ten southwestern Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, Westmoreland.
In 1937, Matilda Staunton Craig (aka Aunt Daisie) had a bold idea: she wanted her farm overlooking the Ohio River to become a place of respite for “persons suffering from curable neurotic, mild mental and kindred ailments, wherein persons undergoing treatment may have the benefit of fresh air, sunshine and rural surroundings in ample ground for work and recreation.” She believed that a healing, peaceful environment and a change from daily life could help alleviate people’s behavioral health ailments. She also had a therapeutic vision of healing within nature that could divert individuals from institutionalization.
Although Aunt Daisie’s farm is no longer standing, her vision of treating people with dignity, respect, and humility endures through the Staunton Farm Foundation (the Foundation), a family foundation that makes grants to support treatment, services, and systems improvements for children, youth, and adults with behavioral health issues. Through collaboration, innovation and advocacy, the Foundation is investing in a future where behavioral health is understood, supported, and accepted.
Grantmaking is a key step in realizing the Foundation’s vision. The Foundation seeks proposals that use evidence-based models, emphasize best practices, provide measurable outcomes, and eliminate negative stereotypes associated with behavioral illnesses. Current priority areas include:
• Collaboration: Grants for collaboration with multiple stakeholders to learn/train as a region.
• Innovation: Grants that advance the field and use evidence-based practices and approaches to improve outcomes.
• Advocacy: Grants promoting policies to improve treatment, especially for underserved populations, and extend the efforts of those supporting and advancing policy change.
• Communication: Grants to educate the general public about current issues, as well as offer resources to change the conversation about behavioral health.
• Capacity Building: Grants up to $25,000 for developing and strengthening resources in organizations and communities to survive and adapt to today’s environment.
The Foundation also bestows the Albert B. Craig, Jr. Award, honoring Dr. Craig’s contributions to both the Foundation and the behavioral health community. The annual award recognizes people who have challenged society to think in fresh ways about problems and solutions in behavioral health and to forge new paths.
In 1987 under Dr. Craig’s leadership, the Foundation entered into an agreement with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine endowing a Chair to be known as “The Staunton Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry.” The purpose of the Chair is to conduct research into developmental pathways for a broad range of mental, emotional, and behavioral health problems in youth.
For more information and background on the Foundation, please visit: https://stauntonfarm.org/
The Opportunity
The Executive Director of the Foundation will be a compassionate and strategic leader, serving as the executive director and chief program officer providing overall leadership for the Foundation's strategies, direction, and daily operations, including initiatives, program development, operations, and public/community relations.
The Foundation seeks an experienced leader with a deep knowledge and passion for the behavioral health and substance abuse space. Accountable to a Board of Directors of family and community members, the Executive Director is expected to shape and manage the strategic direction of the Foundation by providing leadership and guidance, facilitating change, and cultivating partnerships and alliances to promote growth and awareness with grantees and the community at large.
Fluent in policy and advocacy, the Executive Director will have their thumb on the pulse of both local and state developments, as well as the needs of agencies served. More, the Executive Director will be able to translate and present that knowledge to the dedicated Board, ensuring that the Foundation’s giving priorities are in line with current best practices and best serve the communities in need.
The Executive Director will be primarily responsible for the following:
Leadership & Operations
• Assuring the Foundation effectively achieves its mission by providing leadership and development innovation. This includes day-to-day operations, fiscal oversight, and strategic planning.
• Supervising ongoing evaluation of Foundation activities to ensure continued adherence to the organizational mission and effectiveness.
• Assessin
Location: Anywhere
Posted: Aug. 18, 2024, 8:44 p.m.
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