About the John Paul Stevens Foundation
The John Paul Stevens Foundation is dedicated to advancing public interest and social justice values in the next generation of American lawyers. Through its leading initiative, the Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship Program, the Foundation empowers law students to pursue impactful summer internships with governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations committed to the public good. By eliminating financial barriers as well as providing professional development and networking opportunities, the Fellowship Program reflects Justice Stevens’ belief that a fair and effective justice system requires skilled, principled advocates in public service.
Established in 2010 by a group of Justice Stevens’ former clerks, the Foundation serves as a vital, independent nonprofit organization based in Berkeley, CA. While the Stevens Fellowship Program originated at Northwestern University School of Law—Justice Stevens’ alma mater—it has since expanded to 38 law schools across the United States, nurturing a growing network of emerging public interest leaders.
The Foundation honors the legacy of Justice John Paul Stevens, whose tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court was marked by intellectual independence, unwavering integrity, and a commitment to justice for all. Born in Chicago in 1920, Justice Stevens served as a naval codebreaker during World War II before embarking on a distinguished legal career. He clerked for Justice Wiley Rutledge, became a renowned antitrust attorney, and was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit before his elevation to the Supreme Court by President Gerald Ford in 1975. Over his 35-year tenure, Justice Stevens became known as a thoughtful and independent voice on the Court. He remained an active force in the mission of the Foundation until his passing in 2019.
The John Paul Stevens Foundation is committed to supporting and inspiring the next generation of public interest lawyers. By providing students with the financial support they need to pursue summer opportunities in public service, the Foundation helps ensure that talented, justice-driven advocates can access meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare them to lead with purpose in their future careers.
In 2024, the Foundation had 157 Stevens Fellows providing over 50,000 hours of public interest work in 23 states, including the District of Columbia, and worked with 136 different employers across the country. The Foundation also celebrated the inspiring milestone of supporting 1,000 Fellows through the Stevens Fellowship since 1997.
The Stevens Fellowship continues to be the second largest summer public interest Fellowship program in the country, and the largest program that supports public interest work beyond civil legal services.
The John Paul Stevens Foundation is governed by an engaged Board of Directors, largely comprised of Justice Stevens’ former clerks. In addition to the Executive Director, the John Paul Stevens Foundation employs one full-time Program Director.
Learn more on the John Paul Stevens Foundation’s website.
The Opportunity
The John Paul Stevens Foundation seeks an inspiring, strategic leader to serve as its next Executive Director. This is an exciting opportunity help guide the Foundation into its next phase of impact. The Executive Director will oversee all aspects of the Foundation’s operations, including fundraising, program development, and strategic planning, with a particular emphasis on expanding the impact and sustainability of its fellowship program.
Two key focuses for the incoming Executive Director will be stabilizing the Foundation's operations infrastructure, including staffing of its finance management and administration, as well as strengthening the Foundation's fundraising capacity by recognizing and deepening relationships with current donors while also expanding its network of supporters. The Executive Director will play a vital role in cultivating partnerships with Fellows, law firms, law schools, and philanthropic organizations to create a robust pipeline of funding, ensuring the Foundation’s long-term sustainability and continued influence.
The role will require a hands-on leader who can collaborate closely with the Board to refine the Foundation’s strategic direction and solidify its messaging, mission, and objectives within the public interest law community. The Executive Director will help define the Foundation’s standing in the field and work to establish a lasting alumni network that continues to support and grow the next generation of public interest advocates.
As a small nonprofit, this organization requires a leader ready to roll up their sleeves, wear many hats, and thrive in a dynamic, evolving environment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for public interest law, experience managing organizational operations, a strong ability to manage relationships with diverse stakeholders (including law schools, law firms, fellows, and donors), and a track record of fundraising success. The Executive Director will be a collaborative partner to the Program Director, providing mentorship and guiding leadership whilst effectively empowering them to thrive, and ensuring that the Foundation remains responsive and innovative in its programming.
This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of public interest law and make a lasting impact on the lives of law students who are passionate about serving underserved communities and advocating for justice.
Candidate Profile
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Strategic Leadership
- Serves as an inspiring force and guiding presence, motivating fellows, staff, and stakeholders to persevere in advancing public interest law, even amidst challenging political climates.
- Leverages past organizational growth to maintain momentum while thoughtfully refining operational infrastructure. Balances programmatic expansion with operational excellence, ensuring sustainable growth and organizational stability.
- Champions the foundation's competitiveness in the public interest law space by securing resources to support fellows, enhancing their learning and development opportunities, and maintaining a strong value proposition to attract top talent.
- Seeks to increase the foundation's influence and impact while preserving its modest size, ensuring that growth is intentional and aligned with mission-driven objectives.
- Understands the competitive landscape and peer organizations within the public interest sector, utilizing this insight to position the foundation as a leader in the field, driving broader influence and visibility.
- Serves as a close and strong partner to the Board of Directors to co-create a unified vision, aligning strategic goals with mission-critical priorities and ensuring all stakeholders remain focused on shared outcomes.
Skilled Fundraiser
- Demonstrated success in securing individual contributions, including through donor-advised funds, as well as partnerships with foundations, law firms, and other entities. Adept at donor cultivation and stewardship, with a focus on fostering long-term relationships and trust.
- Able to leverage key organizational milestones as significant fundraising opportunities (such as recently surpassing the support of 1000 alumni fellows and the upcoming 2026 clerk reunion at the Supreme Court) to maximize impact, engage past contributors, and inspire future support.
- Strategically balances immediate fundraising needs with long-term financial sustainability, ensuring the organization remains resilient and impactful.
Organization Management
- Recognizes the importance of operational infrastructure, leading efforts to refine and strengthen internal systems that support a high-impact, high-functioning organization.
- Adeptly manages multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously, maintaining a clear vision and steady leadership in a complex organizational environment.
- Serves as a strong partner, mentor, and guide to staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, professional development, and empowerment.
- Balances programmatic focus with operational responsibilities, providing visionary support and partnership whilst ensuring appropriate delegation and ownership of cross-functional responsibilities.
Authentic Relationship Builder
- Builds deep and authentic connections within the clerk community, starting with board members and extending to stakeholders of all generations, recognizing shifts in donor capacity and adapting engagement strategies.
- Stewards trust-based relationships with board members, donors, and diverse stakeholders by fostering open, meaningful dialogue and demonstrating a genuine commitment to the organization's mission.
- Strengthens the alumni community of fellows by fostering collaboration, collective action, and opportunities for further engagement with the Foundation to advance shared goals.
- Creates connections across a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, ensuring all voices are valued and represented in the organization's mission and work.
Passion for the Mission
- Demonstrates an understanding of the public interest legal space across a range of issues, leveraging knowledge to build trust and relatability with fellows and alumni (Juris Doctorate degree helpful, but not explicitly required for this role).
- Embodies a steadfast commitment to advancing public interest and social justice values, championing the Foundation’s vision to inspire the next generation of lawyers dedicated to public service.
- Advocates for the elimination of financial barriers for law students, ensuring equitable access to impactful opportunities in nonprofit and governmental organizations.
- Promotes the legacy of Justice John Paul Stevens by empowering fellows to become principled, skilled advocates who contribute to a fair and effective justice system.
- Serves as an inspirational leader, driving the Foundation’s efforts to nurture justice-driven attorneys equipped with the tools, experiences, and networks needed for purpose-driven careers.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200-$230,000 with a generous benefits package.