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1301 N 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA, 19122
United States

215-427-3463

Neighborhood help desk and catalyst for community engagement & action in the South Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia

The SKCP Blog

SKCP is Hiring an Executive Director!

South Kensington Community Partners

Organizational Background: South Kensington Community Partners is a community-based nonprofit that is currently looking for a dynamic person to grow the organization. SKCP serves the residents and businesses of South/Olde Kensington. The mission of SKCP is to connect our community to resources, services, and opportunities, the land, and each other. We act as, and encourage others to become, engaged stewards of the neighborhood. We advocate for responsible development that builds upon the physical, social and economic fabric of the neighborhood. Our service area is Girard Ave. to Berks St., Front St. to 6th St.

Position Overview: The Executive Director of SKCP works to ensure the goals, values and services of the organization are transmitted to and reflective of the residents within the service area. He/She will do this by working with the board to ensure program requirements are being met, develop a strategic and operational plan, and ensure its implementation once developed. The Executive Director will do this by working with staff and board to identify the highest and best use of office resources, identify funding, and develop implementation resources.

The ideal candidate is resourceful, ambitious, has an entrepreneurial spirit and should have an interest in grassroots community organizing and a passion for empowering community residents. The Executive Director must be professional, customer-service oriented, organized, and have the skills necessary to work with a diverse group of people. He/she will work collaboratively with other program staff to pursue the mission, advance a common vision, and to grow SKCP’s capacity to be a high-performing organization. The Executive Director will maintain administrative standards, provide fiscal controls, direct fundraising efforts, and foster partnerships. A collaborative spirit is necessary in order to foster a cooperative work environment with other team members and the board.

Function: The Executive Director will organize the programs and operations of the office, communicate and delegate day to day activities required for all office administration & operations. These responsibilities and duties are subject to change based upon the needs of the organization and at the Board’s directive. Following is a breakdown of the responsibilities; as this position encompasses a broad field, this list is not all-inclusive and is subject to amendments at any time.

Core Responsibilities:

● Strategic Oversight and Direction for Organization: Identify and secure funding strategy to develop and implement a strategic plan for the organization. Work with the board to develop a strategic and operational plan and ensure its implementation once developed.

● Grant Management & Solicitation: Provide development & fundraising functions for organization [grant research, writing, program development, promotion, reporting]. Meet with funders. Discuss the goals and vision of the organization. Identify resources to support the goals of the organization through grant research, writing, donor solicitation, ad sales, etc. Secure funding for strategic planning.

● Board Liaison: Provide weekly program updates, manage monthly reports and meeting documents. Disseminate information between staff & board and ensure that communication is a core piece of organizational culture. Work with Board President and staff to identify agenda needs for board meetings. Work with board & staff to review strategic plan and outline operational plan. Work with various committees to provide office support where needed.

● Mission and Programs: Engage and the community in shaping and participating in the programs and goals of the organization.

● Establish constructive working relationships and cooperative arrangements with city agencies, community groups, organizations and stakeholders.

● Support the community residents, volunteers, and organizational committees in developing leadership,action, and engagement.

● Develop and maintain an integrated communications plan to publicize the organization’s goals, programs, and events in effective way to other organizations and the community at large.

● Execute the OHCD contract and related programming, communications, and reporting, in a timely and effective fashion.

● Support, maintain, and grow all existing programming, including but not limited to land care, greening, zoning, planning, and other programs in development.

● Develop and implement strategies for volunteer efforts and contributions to the organization.

● Office Management: Create and maintain office procedures. Develop and maintain appropriate record-keeping. Support the board & staff regarding programs and operations. Circulate minutes, agendas, reports etc. Provide weekly office reports to staff and board. Manage, coordinate and supervise staff, interns and volunteers to foster a collaborative, cooperative work environment.

● Finance & Accounting: Supervise and coordinate development of an annual budget to be approved by the board in September. Work with the Finance Committee to see that reports and invoices are submitted in a timely manner to the board and funders. Monitor financial conditions of the organization. Analyze the cash flows of the organization and keep in contact with the Financial Control Committee and the Executive Committee. Coordinate contract negotiations and assure contract compliance. Provide financial management (payroll, budgeting, A/R + A/P, bookkeeping), monthly financial reports, banking. Provide monthly financial reports to the board including budget versus actual, projections, OHCD budget reports, and other financials by request.

Qualifications and requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 2-5+ years professional experience managing teams in a self-directed environment
  • Experience developing strategic, operational, and financial plans in conditions of uncertainty
  • Comfort working within ambiguity and able to chart a path forward despite challenging circumstances
  • Demonstrated ability to develop creative programming to fulfill a mission.
  • Grass Roots Community Organizing
  • Ability to organize and empower residents and build organizational coalitions
  • Ability to prioritize, multi task, and meet deadlines, independently, collaboratively, and as a manager
  • Comfort and familiarity with accounting, financial management, and building financial models
  • Proven track record of developing and obtaining significant financial resources to support the activities and growth of an organization.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, leadership ability, management skills, and self-motivation.
  • Skill with modern computer tools, including Adobe suite, Google Docs, web and social media management, etc.
  • Spanish is a plus

Salary is commiserate with standards of small community-based nonprofits.

To apply, email cover letter & resume to etapp@southkensingtoncommunity.org

SKCP is an EOE

Introducing the Candidates Running in 2016's NAS Elections

South Kensington Community Partners

On Tuesday, February 23rd SKCP is hosting a public meeting for people to meet the candidates currently in the running to join our Neighborhood Advisory Sub-Commitee (NAS). Each will have a few minutes to speak as well as field a question or two. We also asked each candidate to submit a short biography, so people who cannot make the meeting can get to know them as well.

And don't forget to stop by the Finanta Building between 4pm and 8pm on Tuesday, March 1st to cast your vote!

Corey Bell

Corey Bell's entree into South Kensington began in 2009 working as an economic developer supporting small businesses along Girard Ave. An academic background in City Planning coupled with local political savviness are two strengths Corey lends to support neighborhood development. In his spare time, Corey enjoys playing tennis, bicycling, and trying new foods.

Ximena Flores

Ximena attended Michigan (Go Blue!) where she studied Political Science and Peace and Social Justice and took an active role in several grassroots organizations and neighborhood development coalitions in various Detroit neighborhoods. In 2010, Ximena moved to Philadelphia for law school. She fell in love with Philadelphia's culture, art/music/food scene and community -- so much so that last year she purchased her first home, together with her boyfriend, on N.Hope street, where they live with their golden, Bernie and two cats, Layla and Earl. Her love for Philadelphia (and her family) propelled her to join SKCP's NAS to help make South Kensington a better place to live and work. Ximena is confident that her personal and professional experiences will benefit the advisory board and she can't wait to see our community grow to its full potential!

Tom Gallo

Tom Gallo is a Temple University graduate that has lived in the area since 2006. He believes in the potential of the neighborhood and wants to focus on keeping the streets clean. He works in the financial industry as a Project Manager and lives on 6th and Cecil B Moore with his girlfriend and their two dogs and cat.

Sarah Gearhart

Sarah moved to South Kensington in 2004 and enjoys the diversity and the familial atmosphere of our community.  She has a deep understanding of our neighborhood’s history and she wants to work with the NAS to ensure that our neighborhood retains its character, and its longterm residents, as it grows.  Sarah is a Ph.D. candidate in Temple University’s Urban Education program and possesses a variety of skills that will greatly benefit the NAS. 

Ian Abovitz

Ian Abovitz was born and raised just north of the city, in Bucks County, but left the burbs behind for good and moved to Philly when he started law school at Temple about 10 years ago.  Ian lives with my wife,  their dog, and six cats (his wife is a sucker for strays) at their home in South Kensington purchased almost 3 years ago.  When they chose the neighborhood, they recognized its potential and it is amazing to see how much it has grown in just a short time.  Ian works as a trial attorney at the law firm of Stark & Stark with offices in Bucks County and Philadelphia and looks forward to the opportunity to play an active role in the growth of our great neighborhood.

Josephine Quinones

Josephine has lived in South Kensington for 20 years and recently completed a two year term of service as a member of the NAS. She admires the commitment people who live in South Kensington have toward making the neighborhood a vibrant, positive place to live, is fluent in Spanish as well as English, and is interested in neighbor relations and event planning.

Jeremiah Lewis

Jeremiah, originally from Northern California’s Bay Area, settled in the South Kensington community in 2012. He owns a home in the neighborhood and works out of the Philadelphia office at KPMG, where he is part of the Lighthouse: Data & Analytics group focusing on Healthcare & Life Sciences. One of the reasons he bought his home in South Kensington was to be part of a neighborhood that takes care of and supports one another, qualities he has only seen strengthen in the three years since his arrival. Jeremiah is excited to show his pride in the community by becoming a member of SKCP's NAS.

 

 

FREE Tax Preparation Workshops hosted by CEIBA and SKCP

South Kensington Community Partners

Ceiba is providing free income tax preparation assistance to its neighbors, with a family income of less than $54,000 annually.

VITA volunteers trained by the IRS prepare tax returns electronically and ensure that tax filers receive all the credits and refunds to which they are entitled. If the tax filer has a bank account, they can get their tax refund in 10 days at no cost.

Appointments available at 4 Locations.  YOU MUST CALL to make an appointment.

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