General Counsel

Company Description

The Bainum Family Foundation is working to create a society where all children thrive. Centuries of racist policies and practices continue to disrupt every aspect of development and well-being for Black and brown children throughout the United States. At the Bainum Family Foundation, we aim to change these unjust conditions. That’s why our work revolves around supporting key partners. There is tremendous power, expertise and lived experience within every community. We seek to build on these strengths by working alongside communities experiencing racial and economic disparities to create lasting systems change for the well-being of children and families. Today, the foundation focuses on Early Childhood and what children need for a strong start in life. Our Legacy Programs support other issues important to the Bainum family. Visit us at bainumfdn.org.  

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is who we are and what we do. It is not separate but at the heart of our work and a core part of our culture expectations. We are committed to driving change that centers communities and results in equitable societies, starting with a commitment to equity and inclusion for our staff. Specifically, we have committed to center racial equity and strive to become an antiracist organization. Our team is expected to demonstrate and uphold our core values, our culture expectations, and our commitment to DEI in every facet of their work. The Foundation strongly encourages and seeks applications from all qualified individuals whose racial, socioeconomic, ability status, and other individual dimensions allow them to bring unique and diverse perspectives to our work.      

The Children’s Equity Fund (CEF) is a 501(c)(4) organization that works to advance policy changes that combat the racial and economic inequities experienced by young children, families, early childhood educators, and communities. CEF believes effective, sustained policy change occurs when there is broad-based support from policymakers with diverse perspectives and different party affiliations. CEF collaborates with individuals and organizations that are aligned with the organization’s goals, regardless of political party, and builds grassroots support and the political will for policies that promote the well-being of all children, families, and communities.  

CEF focuses on five policy areas that support child and family well-being: early learning; mental health and well-being; health; family economic security; and housing stability. The organization also supports efforts to create a healthy democracy and robust civic engagement. The organization engages in direct lobbying and political/policy campaigns in support of more equitable policies in these areas and funds other 501(c)(4) organizations to advance these goals. CEF is seeking to build its internal capacity to more impactfully engage in its work and create positive change for those who have been systematically excluded from power, resources, and opportunities because of poverty and racism.  

The Bainum Family Foundation and the Children’s Equity Fund are affiliated independent legal entities, working in pursuit of common outcomes. The Children’s Equity Fund shares staff (as well as office space, equipment and other resources) with the Bainum Family Foundation. The General Counsel will support BFF and CEF by counseling on various legal issues. 

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Legal team manages and oversees all legal work for BFF and CEF, advises the Boards and management of both entities, supports grantmaking and other organizational activities, manages legal risk, and ensures compliance with laws governing private foundations and affiliated 501(c)(4) organizations.    

The General Counsel leads a small legal team and is responsible for providing legal guidance and advice to the Bainum Family Foundation (including its single-member LLC the Bainum Foundation Farm) and the Children’s Equity Fund. Under the direction of the VP, Operations, this individual will manage and lead all legal matters related to grantmaking, contracts, risk management, compliance (with a particular focus on c3/c4 compliance), internal policy development or review, and analysis of the variety of legal issues that arise across the entities. This individual will also provide support for corporate governance, tax and investment matters as needed and will represent the Legal team in cross-departmental working groups and committees. The General Counsel works closely with other teams to oversee and manage the organizations’ legal and compliance needs. The individual in this role has deep knowledge of the legal requirements governing private foundations and 501(c)(4) entities, including IRS rules and federal, state and local lobbying and campaign finance regulations.  

This role requires excellent jud