Join this transformational organization empowering youth who stutter - SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young

SAY invites applications from entrepreneurial and strategic nonprofit leaders interested in furthering SAY’s impact as its next Executive Director.



Visit https://tinyurl.com/SAYbw to download the full job application



ABOUT SAY



SAY is a national non-profit organization that empowers, educates, supports and advocates for young people who stutter and the world that surrounds them.



Stuttering is a complex and often-misunderstood communication disorder that causes interruptions in a person’s speech. Over 80 million people in the world stutter – including 1 in every 5 young children. Although no two people who stutter are exactly the same, we generally understand stuttering in three connected parts: surface behaviors; impact on attitudes and emotions; and impact on everyday life. Each person who stutters will have different surface behaviors and different degrees of difficulty with their speech. It is important to recognize that stuttering is much more than what we can see and hear.



Kids who stutter can feel completely isolated in the world. Not having a familiar voice to connect with, they often feel overlooked, unseen, and unheard in their daily lives. SAY is a LIFELINE.



How many silent kids, hiding in the back row of class are actually brilliant — just pretending not to know the answers because they’re afraid to talk? How many young people are keeping their heads down or not making friends because they are terrified of being laughed at, ridiculed, or bullied for the way they speak? For kids who stutter, everyday sentences can take as much courage as public speaking.



A transformation occurs when a child who stutters is given the time to speak and express themselves fully. SAY was founded to ensure that every young person who stutters has a chance to be heard.



“I believe every voice matters. Not some. Not most. Every voice.”



–Taro Alexander, SAY Founder, CEO, and renowned actor, director, teacher, and person who stutters



For over 20 years, SAY has provided support, advocacy, and life-changing experiences for young people who stutter. Its groundbreaking camp & after-school programming use theater, music, visual arts, and youth development approaches within a truly unparalleled environment of compassion, empathy, and kindness. SAY programs inspire creativity, acceptance, and personal understanding in kids and teens who stutter, enabling them to develop the confidence and communication skills they need to thrive. SAY programs transform each youth from a person who lives in fear of their stutter – to an empowered communicator with a stutter. Read more about SAY’s Programs here.



SAY raises awareness of stuttering nationally and internationally; offers direct speech therapy with leading Speech-Language Pathologists who specialize in stuttering; and offers crucial support and resources to families and professionals, including educators, speech-language pathologists, and pediatricians.



The SAY Family



SAY’s evolution and impact has been dually driven by the visionary leadership of its Founder and CEO, Taro Alexander, and its exceptional organizational family of staff members, board members, industry supporters, speech professionals, participants and families who advance SAY’s mission every day.



SAY’s visibility and advocacy strategy – grounded in storytelling and relationship building – increases the understanding and acceptance of stuttering nationally and internationally, while also amassing a vast network of influential supporters and donors who support and advance its efforts. Supporters of note include: George Springer (Professional Baseball Player, Toronto Blue Jays, also SAY Spokesperson); Paul Rudd (Actor, known widely as Scott Lang / Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, also SAY Trustee); Mariska Hargitay (Actress & producer, known widely as Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU); Wayne Brady (Actor, producer, and television personality); President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (also a person who stutters); Carly Simon (music icon & also a person who stutters); Meredith Vieira (Correspondent & TV Host); Kelli O’Hara (Broadway Actress, Tony Award Winner for The King and I); and Brandon Victor Dixon (Broadway Actor and Singer, known for The Color Purple); among many others.



SAY’s Business Model



SAY’s operating budget is approximately $2.5 million, which is primarily supported by a robust fundraising effort that leverages special events, major donor & annual giving programs, and institutional fundraising support. To date, no child has been turned away due to a family’s inability to pay. SAY also has a modest line of earned income from speech therapy services and program fees.



To ‘say’ that SAY’s fundraising events are electric and inspiring is an understatement. Each SAY event centers SAY participants, providing life-changing confidence building and empowerment experiences while increasing visibility for stuttering and raising critical organizational funding. As showcased in the videos above, SAY’s annual gala is an expertly produced, high visibility event featuring SAY participants, with inspirational performances by alumni, staff, and celebrity supporters. Its celebrity bowling series – hosted by Paul Rudd and George Springer – centers SAY participants as hosts and speakers.



WHAT’S NEXT?



Building on 22 years of impact, SAY is at an organizational inflection point and primed to chart its next level of impact and sustainability. In recent years, Alexander and the Board of Trustees have been envisioning SAY’s impactful future, which will include a focus on: evaluating and strengthening its business operations; strengthening and diversifying its philanthropic effort; and expanding SAY’s reach and influence to impact more youth who stutter and the communities that surround them. At this important juncture, SAY invites interest from entrepreneurial and strategic leaders who are inspired by SAY’s work and interested in contributing to the advancement of this important institution.



What we are looking for in this position



The Executive Director will be a resourceful and analytical leader, able to serve as a trusted business and operations strategist for its Founder & CEO and Board of Directors.



They will bring non-profit management acumen and experience that allows them to efficiently lead SAY’s day-to-day operations (including fundraising, messaging, operations, and staff & board engagement), while helping to advance the organization’s strategic trajectory.



They will be a persuasive and authentic communicator able to spread SAY’s message through diverse channels and approaches in their own way. At their core, they will be a relationship builder, skilled at fostering trusting and meaningful relationships with dedicated staff and board members, donors, stakeholders, partners, and participants and their families. They will be a collaborative and empathetic team leader with a demonstrated track record of leading a team. They will be a true team player who is able to empower, mentor, develop, and inspire SAY’s dedicated professional staff.



They will bring a strong understanding of fundraising strategies with a demonstrated ability to generate contributed income from special events and major donors. Experience securing corporate, foundation or government grants for work with youth is invited.



They will have experience in organizational and financial management processes that enable them to lead the organization in responsible and sustainable operations.



Above all, they will be moved by SAY’s mission and vision and develop an unwavering commitment to support and empower young people who stutter, and the communities that surround them.
Salary: $110,000- $130,000