CHARITY AND NOT FOR PROFIT
Charity and Not For Profit Executive Search in New Zealand
Purpose-driven leadership is the rarest combination of empathy, impact and governance strength.
Purpose-led leadership is the hardest combination of mission, governance and commercial sense to find. From our Auckland executive search practice we partner with national charities, foundations, iwi-led organisations, community trusts and social-impact businesses across New Zealand on retained search for CEOs, Fundraising Directors, Heads of Programmes and non-executive directors. Every engagement begins with a board-grade brief that respects the mission and the community context.
The Market
New Zealand's charity and not for profit sector is consolidating, professionalising and rebuilding fundraising models for a tighter giving environment.
Donor preferences are shifting. Government contracts are tighter. Iwi-led organisations are scaling. Boards want leaders who carry mission, governance discipline and commercial sense in equal measure.
Where the sector is shifting.
Mission and professional management.
Larger charities are professionalising operations. Iwi-led organisations are expanding service and investment portfolios. Impact measurement is becoming standard.
Fundraising and trust.
Donor numbers are declining in some segments. Trust and transparency expectations are rising. CEOs are expected to be commercial, communications-fluent and mission-aligned.
Major gifts and philanthropy.
Major-donor and foundation giving is growing. Social-impact investment is opening new revenue models. NEDs with finance and lived-experience backgrounds are increasingly valued.
Who We Place
Leadership roles we search across charity, foundations and not for profit.
- Chief Executive
- Fundraising Director
- Head of Programmes
- Head of Strategy
- Chief Financial Officer
- Head of Impact
- Head of Communications and Advocacy
- Head of People and Culture
- Head of Major Gifts
- Head of Operations
- Independent Chair
- Non-Executive Director
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
01. Do you recruit across both charity and foundation?
Yes. We recruit across the full charity and not for profit spectrum. That includes national charities, foundations, iwi-led organisations, community trusts, religious organisations and social enterprise businesses. Our retained search engagements cover both leadership and specialist roles.
02. Can you find chairs and non-executive directors with not for profit, governance, fundraising and impact backgrounds?
Yes. We maintain a curated Board & NED Network that includes operators, finance specialists, governance veterans and senior leaders with deep charity and not for profit experience. We can build a chair shortlist, refresh a board, or place a single non-executive director.
03. What does an Infinitas charity and not for profit search engagement look like?
Retained search. Every engagement begins with a board-grade brief covering role architecture, success measures, the operating context and the cultural lens. From there we run a structured market map, a long-list of identified candidates, structured interviews and competency assessment, references and a written shortlist report. Engagements typically run 8 to 12 weeks and respect mission and stakeholder context.
04. Where in New Zealand do you operate?
We are based in Auckland and run searches nationally. That includes Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga, Hamilton, Dunedin and the regions. Where a role requires a trans-Tasman or international map, we extend the search accordingly.
Related Sectors
Where leaders cross over.
Senior healthcare executives, clinical directors and operational leaders improving patient outcomes.
CEOs, Heads of School and Directors of Finance, HR, Marketing and Technology for educational institutions.
CEOs, High Performance Directors and Heads of Commercial who build culture and drive results.
Ready to Talk
Ready to build your next charity or not for profit leadership team?
Partner with Infinitas to recruit CEOs, Fundraising Directors and Heads of Programmes who champion communities.