About CLOVER SEARCH WORKS

Let our experience be your guide.

In 2016, after decades of working in and consulting with nonprofit organizations, we recognized an unmet need for executive-level search and transition services specifically designed for smaller, community-based nonprofit organizations.

Since our founding, we've proudly partnered with mission-driven organizations nationwide on 100+ searches for exceptional leaders. Our not-so-secret ingredient? A passionate team that brings diverse strengths, expansive networks, and wide-ranging and deep expertise to every search. We don't just work together; we genuinely enjoy each other's company, and that positive energy shines through in our commitment to our clients' success.

Two women stand at a white board as they conduct a meeting and take notes

Photo courtesy of CCER

Partnering with Clover Search Works

At Clover we work with organizations that share our fundamental values and hopes for the future of our communities. The best part of our job is that we get to work closely with inspiring, passionate leaders who want to make a difference in the world: both the board and staff leaders who hire us, and the candidates themselves. We intentionally work with organizations in many different issue areas and in many different geographies.

We work with:

  • Environmental and conservation organizations

  • Heath and human services organizations

  • Youth development and early learning organizations

  • Educational equity and opportunity organizations

  • Community foundations and philanthropic organizations

  • Leadership and civic engagement organizations

  • Progressive political advocacy and policy organizations

We work on:

  • Executive director and CEO searches

  • Co-ED or shared leadership searches

  • Deputy director or strategic impact director searches

  • Development, communications, and/or operations director searches

  • Program, policy, or clinical director searches

Our Search Philosophy: The Clover Way

Equity is at the forefront of our work.

Centering equity and inclusion in a search process requires deliberateness and intention from the first day of a search to the last. We use many strategies throughout our process that are intended to invite people in, build diverse candidate pools, and create opportunities for candidates to share their strengths and experience of all kinds.  As search facilitators, we recognize the tremendous power we have to influence hiring decisions, and we embrace our responsibility to work with our clients to center equity in every search.

We see search as a partnership.

We believe that a successful search is built on a foundation of partnership and shared expertise. While we bring decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and a deep understanding of best practices in executive search, we understand that your board, staff, and community are the true experts when it comes to your organization's history, values, and culture.  We work closely with your team, listening to your needs, providing strategic advice, and helping you navigate the complexities of the search landscape. We do not “place” candidates: rather, by combining our expertise with your invaluable insights, we create a collaboration that empowers your team to make the best decisions for your organization's future.

We see search as an opportunity.

We believe that searches offer exciting opportunities to consider new directions and ways of doing business, to introduce your organization’s mission and values to new audiences, to re-engage past supporters, and to re-energize everyone in your organization throughout the process. We look for ways you can take advantage of these opportunities to maximize the return on the investment of time and money you are making in your search for the best possible outcomes.

We prioritize respect and integrity in every search.

Search processes can be inherently stressful for both organizations and candidates – but that doesn’t excuse some of the stories we hear about how people are treated in a search. At Clover, we work hard to mitigate this stress and build trust by creating thoughtful search plans with reasonable expectations, maintaining clear communication, and consistently treating everyone with kindness and respect. When you partner with us, you get a team dedicated to ensuring clients and candidates are included, heard, and motivated to pursue their transformative visions.