Trusted by 300+ Mission-Driven Organizations Nationwide
Maneva is one of the leading foundation executive search firms placing mission-aligned presidents, executive directors, and program officers at foundations nationwide. We help foundations recruit trusted leaders who reflect their vision, values, and community.
Specialized Foundation Expertise
First-Time Leadership Support
Bias-Free Hiring Systems
Board & Stakeholder Alignment
97%
of U.S. executives in our extensive database
300+
Organizations served by our team
100%
Success Rate in Executive Searches
Executive Search for Philanthropic Visionaries
Whether you're hiring your first President or your next Program Officer, we help foundations recruit inclusive, strategic leaders who elevate your grantmaking, governance, and community credibility.
Experts in foundation governance and leadership
Proven process for inaugural or transition leadership
DEI-integrated recruitment at every touchpoint
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Why Organizations Choose Maneva
We Carry Real Weight
From crafting the role to closing the offer, our senior recruiters lead every part of the process—so you don’t waste time or settle for less.
Relentless Talent Outreach
We don’t post and pray. We actively headhunt through our 50,000+ leader network, AI-powered tools, and national partnerships to bring you exceptional candidates.
Diversity Rooted in Action
DEI is embedded in our DNA—not just a checkbox. 85% of our placements over the past three years have been women or people of color.
Driven by Purpose
We reinvest 10% of our profits into community initiatives like Maneva Youth and Maneva Earth—because creating impact doesn’t stop with our clients.
Why Organizations Choose Maneva
We carry real weight
From crafting the role to closing the offer, our senior recruiters lead every part of the process—so you can focus on your day job without settling for less.
Relentless Talent Outreach
We don’t post and pray. We actively headhunt through our headhunt through our expansive network, AI, and national partnerships to bring you exceptional candidates.
Diversity and Equity in Action
DEI isn't a checkbox or quota for us. We curate strong, diverse candidate pools and reduce interviewer bias so you confidently select the best leader.
Recruiters with Executive Experience
All of our Partners have experience running 200+ person organizations themselves prior to joining Maneva, providing them a unique insight into building successful teams.
Four Steps. One Right Leader
Maneva runs a foundation search process designed for the full complexity of philanthropic hiring. Every step is built to produce alignment between your board, your stakeholders, and the leader who will carry your mission forward.
Strategic Discovery & Stakeholder Alignment
Before we source a single candidate, we get clear on what your foundation actually needs. That means structured conversations with your board, staff, and key stakeholders to surface the real requirements for the role, not just the job description. We identify the leadership qualities, community relationships, and grantmaking philosophy your next hire must bring.
Build a Purpose-Driven Candidate Pool
Maneva does not rely on applicants. We build your candidate pool through direct outreach to proven philanthropic leaders in our national network. Every slate is diverse by design and filtered for the specific experience and values your foundation requires.
Design an Equitable Interview Experience
We design your interview process from the ground up, with custom evaluation criteria, structured interview guides, and scorecard frameworks your board can use consistently. This produces stronger decisions faster and keeps your team aligned through every round.
Selection, Stewardship & Offer Support
Maneva manages every stage of closing your hire, from reference conversations and offer negotiation to onboarding preparation. Your new executive arrives with context, clarity, and a strong relationship with the people they are leading.
Case Study: Elevating Leadership at Scale
A $300M foundation finds its inaugural President—mission-aligned, equity-driven, and ready to lead.
Windward Fund – Inaugural President
With more than $300M in assets under management, Windward Fund needed a President to anchor its long-term sustainability and guide the organization through its next phase of growth. Previously overseen by the board and staff, the organization sought a leader who could bring executive-level clarity and elevate both operations and strategy.
Maneva Group led a national search with a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In just 3 months, we delivered a slate of high-caliber, mission-aligned candidates, culminating in the hire of a visionary leader who has brought structure, energy, and momentum to the organization’s future.
90
Days to Hire
$
300M
In assets entrusted to new leadership
Trusted by 200+ Mission-Driven Organizations Nationwide
"One of the benefits of working with your team is responsiveness, we were able to move very quickly from drafting the position thru the process, even through the holidays. All candidates were fantastic!"
Kristi Brangle
VP of People & Culture
"The process was very, very thorough. You did a great job with the pre-screening process which made the whole interview process so much easier. Your follow up and preparing us for each interview was very helpful."
Jacquie Holmes
President
"It was one of the best experiences that I've had and I have worked with extensive number of search firms. We had an aggressive timeline and you guys nailed it. We ended up finding a candidate that will elevate the organization on an international level."
Ron Hamilton
HR Consultant
"It was a perfect search... and you did it in 45 days! It was incredible. I found your process refreshing, rewarding and you moved quickly. It was a flawless search."
Nancy Hemmenway
HR Consultant
"We are currently re-inventing our team, and you have been an invaluable partner in rebuilding our
leadership. Being a CPA yourself really helped get that next level of candidates for us."
Stacy Martin
Chief Executive Officer
"You put together amazing candidates. We met a lot of larger firms...but the size of your firm quickly became a bonus because we worked with the A-team. We got candidates within weeks and finished the process in two months. We found a candidate we love and are excited for the new CEO to get started."
Sean Vassilaros
Chairman of the Board
"You have our deepest appreciation for conducting a process that was at every step professional, thoughtful, and enjoyable. We are lucky to have the candidate on the team and ever grateful for your role in the process. It was a tremendous pleasure to work with you and I hope we have the opportunity to partner on a search again soon."
Satchel Kaplan- Allen
Chief of Staff
"I am so impressed with the efficiency, professionalism, and expertise that you showed every step of the way. The timeline was incredible, and you were exactly what we needed after a poor experience with a prior firm. Our entire experience has been absolutely stellar."
Kymberly Garrett
Chief People & Diversity Officer
"[Both final candidates] are exceptional, and I believe either of them would do an outstanding job. I have not seen your level of care and expertise in my entire career."
Lynn McNair
President
"I cannot recommend Sneha highly enough. I had worked with a range of search consultants, including much larger firms...I really prefer someone who has a smaller client roster and who can really give me personalized, devoted attention."
Jessica Love
Sr. Managing Director
"You were a fabulous partner...I appreciated the professionalism, the grace with which you conducted the search and partnered with us. The stewarding of the whole process was thorough, meticulous... You made it quite seamless. I was fully and completely supported."
Dana Lanza
Chief Executive Officer
"Our search concluded with the 'unicorn' candidate! He is going to be fantastic. We could never have found him without your firm."
Cynthia Chennault
Board Chair
The Right Foundation Leader Changes Everything
Foundations run on credibility. Your president or executive director shapes how your board governs, how your staff performs, and how your grantees and community partners experience your institution. A strong hire accelerates every part of your work. Maneva recruits foundation leaders with that full picture in mind.
We focus specifically on leaders who carry both strategic and relational capacity: executives who can manage a board, run a team, and show up as a trusted partner in the communities your foundation serves. That combination is rare. Finding it is what we do.
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Still have questions?
Your Next Foundation Leader Is Out There. Let's Find Them.
Maneva is one of the most trusted foundation executive search firms working in the philanthropic sector today. We place leaders who earn the confidence of your board, your team, and your community. Our average search closes in 3 months.
Tell Us About Your Hiring Needs
Learn How Our Process Works
Get a Clear Path Forward
Ready to Hire Exceptional Leadership?
Find the right executive—faster, smarter, and with less stress. Our high-touch, mission-aligned search process delivers top-tier leaders in just 3 months on average. Let’s talk about how we can support your next great hire.
Tell Us About Your Hiring Needs
Learn How Our Process Works
Get a Clear Path Forward