Want to work on an innovative project that is transforming the ways young people create, share, and learn? Join the Scratch Team!
The Scratch Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, supports the design, development, and management of Scratch, the world’s largest and most diverse coding community for children. With Scratch, children can create their own interactive games, stories, and animations – and share their creations with one another in an active online community. In the process, children learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. Last year, more than 20 million children around the world created projects with Scratch.
After being developed and supported at MIT for more than 15 years, Scratch recently spun out of MIT and into the Scratch Foundation, now relocated to a new headquarters near Boston’s South Station. This transition is designed to support the continued growth and long-term sustainability of Scratch as a free, open, creative platform for children around the world.
As Scratch grows, the Scratch Foundation is seeking curious and motivated people to join our dynamic team of 30 educators, designers, and engineers who work together in a playful, creative environment. We strongly value diversity, collaboration, and respect in the workplace.
Current Openings
Executive Director (Boston, MA)
Director of Development (Boston, MA)
Administrative Assistant (Boston, MA)
Community Moderator (Part-Time, Remote)
Executive Director
Candidate Profile
At this important stage in its growth, the Scratch Foundation is looking to hire a creative and entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead the organization into the future. Reporting to the Scratch Foundation’s Board of Directors, the Executive Director will work collaboratively with others on the Scratch team to build the Scratch Foundation into a well-run, sustainable organization capable of realizing its ambitious vision, mission, and goals. The Executive Director will work closely with Prof. Mitchel Resnick, founder of Scratch and director of the Lifelong Kindergarten research group at the MIT Media Lab.
The Executive Director will be a proven organizational leader with experience building and managing through a period of growth. This individual will be responsible for developing and executing on an overarching strategic plan for the Scratch Foundation, and work to ensure that the operational and organizational infrastructure of the Foundation aligns with strategy. Fundraising and board development are a critical component of the Executive Director’s responsibilities, as are developing partnerships that amplify the mission and ambition of the Scratch Foundation. The Executive Director will further support, sustain, and grow a creative, caring, collaborative work environment that attracts and retains a motivated, diverse, mission-driven staff.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Work closely with other Scratch team members to undertake a strategic planning process that will set clear priorities for the next three to five years of the Scratch Foundation’s work.
Operationalize the strategic plan to support existing research partnerships (e.g., MIT’s Media Lab, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, Tufts’ Department of Child Study and Human Development) and corporate partnerships (e.g., LEGO Group and Google), develop new partnerships, and sustain current and future outreach activities (e.g., Scratch Day and Scratch Conferences).
Cultivate a strong working relationship with the Scratch Foundation Board, communicating openly about program performance and financial performance, and create a plan for board growth and development
Provide clear strategic direction to guide and lead program growth, implementation, and future planning
Finances and External Relations
Oversee fundraising and other revenue-generating strategies (including support from individual donors, foundations, governments, and corporations) to consistently support current and new initiatives
Determine the most effective staffing strategy (e.g. outsourcing or internal hires) for overseeing the financial status of the organization, including establishing financial plans and controls, monitoring of the budget, and setting financial priorities
Assure the integrity and growth of the Scratch brand, including the development and execution of external communication efforts.
Work Culture and Organization Design
Support and sustain a creative, caring, and collaborative work environment, so that Scratch continues to attract an innovative, motivated, mission-driven staff
Assess organizational strengths and weaknesses, and build and lead a diverse team that enjoys working together
Ensure high-quality services and operations throughout the organization, including HR, facilities, finance, and development.
Establish effective and inclusive decision-making processes
Qualifications
Deep commitment to the mission and values of the Scratch Foundation, with strong interest in children, learning, creativity, and technology
10+ years of senior leadership experience in a creative, entrepreneurial environment
Demonstrated success in team leadership, with a successful track record of recruiting, inspiring, and retaining a diverse, mission-driven team
Demonstrated success in developing and executing revenue-generating strategies
Excellent coalition-building and consensus-building skills
Exceptional presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to serve as a compelling ambassador for Scratch with a variety of stakeholders
Experience managing internal operations and building structures and systems to
ensure efficient use of resources
Keen analytic and strong problem-solving skills, in support of sound decision making
Knowledge of branding and marketing techniques
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@scratchfoundation.org.
Director of Development
Job Description
The Scratch Foundation seeks to hire its first-ever Director of Development, who will be responsible for significantly growing the organization’s fundraising capacities and broadening its base of support.
The Director of Development will be a passionate and enthusiastic fundraiser who will work with a high degree of independence and initiative to oversee the full scope of Scratch’s fundraising program. The Director of Development will report to the Scratch Executive Director and will be located in the Scratch Foundation’s new office in Boston.
The Director of Development will be responsible for creating and implementing a strategic and comprehensive cultivation and stewardship program. The Director will serve as the lead strategist for donor and prospect engagement, partnering with colleagues to ensure meaningful and consistent engagement with all donors and prospects. The successful candidate will be a seasoned and capable leader with exceptional organizational skills, knowledge of development best practices, and the poise and interpersonal skills to work with Board members, senior management, donors, and all organizational constituencies. This position will have regular outreach and visits with donors and prospects, and it will have oversight of fundraising streams, including major gifts, special events, corporate grants and partnerships, and foundation relations.
Responsibilities
In partnership with the Executive Director, create and implement an annual fundraising plan and budget designed to meet Scratch’s revenue needs.
Build and manage a pipeline of donors and prospects including individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
Coordinate portfolio meetings with Scratch leadership team focused on plans for research, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors and prospects.
Ensure that key prospects are actively managed with regular meetings and outreach to move prospects along the major gifts pipeline.
Build relationships with donors and prospects via phone/video calls, personalized communications, face-to-face visits, and events.
Prepare and present briefings, follow-up materials, and contact reports on major gift prospects/donors in a timely manner.
Write, edit, and proofread proposals, letters, and other correspondence.
Analyze revenue trends to assess results and interpret data to recommend and implement appropriate changes to targets or adjustments in strategies.
Act as primary contact for inquiries from donors, tracking donor interactions in the fundraising and relationship management database in an accurate and timely manner.
Collaborate closely with Scratch program staff and leadership to ensure meaningful donor engagement and education.
Provide support to the Board of Directors’ involvement in the fundraising process.
Manage the direction and strategy for the annual Benefit and cultivation events
Manage and maintain all fundraising systems and processes (from gift documentation to reporting) and ensure they are tailored to align with business needs and requirements and fully utilize the fundraising database.
Serve as subject matter expert on donor management and keep abreast of industry best-practices.
Qualifications
7+ years of best practice development and managerial experience, with a demonstrated record of success and promotion to greater responsibilities.
Passionate commitment to Scratch’s educational mission and vision.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence donors and volunteers through written and verbal presentations.
Documented success in soliciting and securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality documentation and proposals, such as strategy documents, visit briefs, grant requests, reports, etc.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, creative with problem-solving skills.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as appropriate, moving projects from conceptual stages to launch while handling multiple and competing deadlines.
Ability to handle pressure and deadlines calmly and to communicate with diplomacy.
Ability to work and connect with a diverse communities, people, and partners, and a commitment to promoting inclusion in all practices and efforts.
Excellent computer skills including proficiency using G Suite and MS Office, with extensive knowledge of Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel; knowledge of eTapestry or similar platform and experience utilizing technology for fundraising and communication.
Ability to travel both domestically and internationally for fundraising events and meetings with donors.
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@scratchfoundation.org.
Administrative Assistant
Job Description
Scratch is seeking a resourceful Administrative Assistant to serve as the first point of contact for its headquarters in Boston and to provide administrative support for all activities affecting the main office. Under the supervision of the Director of Human Resources and Administration, this position identifies ways to support and improve operations to maintain a highly professional, efficient, and healthy office environment. The ideal candidate enjoys working both independently and collaboratively with people in a fast-paced, start-up environment with the flexibility to move quickly and effectively between tasks. This is an entry-level, full-time position enabling the right person to launch an exciting career in education, business administration, human resources, or other related fields.
Responsibilities
Supports general office administration and reception, maintaining the overall office appearance and providing a welcoming, well-functioning environment for employees and visitors.
Monitors and maintains inventory of office, kitchen, craft supplies, and the online Scratch Store.
Maintains facilities, serving as the point person for office access, equipment, recycling, maintenance issues, and general projects liaising with building property management and outside vendors.
Answers the main office phone line, greets guests, and coordinates visitors
Distributes mail, accepting daily deliveries and shipments.
Assists with recruiting, hiring, and onboarding processes, including posting job vacancies, scheduling candidate interviews, collecting new hire documents, and assisting with onboarding sessions.
Assists in preparing correspondence, presentations, and other documents, researching, assembling, and distributing supporting materials as necessary.
Processes credit card purchases, expense reports, and reimbursements; handles filing systems and performs related duties as needed.
Assists with planning and providing logistical support (e.g., space, A/V, catering) for events including luncheons, conferences, workshops, intra-office gatherings.
Helps to foster a positive Scratch culture by ensuring open communication, smooth office procedures, and the organized physical appearance of the office.
Assists all departments in taking on additional administrative duties and projects as assigned. Maintains employee confidentiality throughout appropriate organizational processes.
Skills and Experience
A minimum of two years’ administrative support or related experience with wide-ranging knowledge of office procedures.
Exceptional customer service, interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills.
Highly organized with the ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy while prioritizing competing demands and adhering to tight deadlines.
Demonstrated self-motivation, enthusiasm, flexibility, and resourcefulness with the ability to complete tasks and resolve problems with minimal direction.
Must possess initiative, anticipate needs, and exercise independent/sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
Ability to work collaboratively with a diversity of people at all levels internal and external to the organization and across multiple time zones and locations.
Ability to effectively gather, read, and interpret information for general reporting purposes.
Demonstrated proficiency in Google Suite with the ability and willingness to learn new software and applications.
Passion for learning and children’s education preferred.
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@scratchfoundation.org.
Community Moderator
Job Description
Interested in online communities, internet culture, and working with kids? We're seeking community moderators to work with the Scratch Team. Scratch Moderators help keep Scratch a safe, trusted, and friendly environment.
Millions of children (ages 8 and up), from around the world, create and share thousands of projects in the Scratch community each day. Moderators will gain valuable experience working online with youth in a creative, interest-driven setting.
Responsibilities
Promote the values and core ideas of the Scratch project (such as inclusiveness, creative collaboration, and constructive feedback)
Review reported users, projects, studios, and comments for appropriateness on the Scratch website
Work with young people to help them understand what they did that breaks our Community Guidelines
Determine when a person is or isn’t likely to be able to participate constructively in the Scratch online community
Qualifications
Active participation in online communities, forums, or social media
Excellent writing and communication skills
Comfortable learning to use new software and websites
Strong online research skills
Good judgement and ability to consider issues from multiple perspectives
Able to work well independently, manage your time well, and stay focused while working remotely
Able to work well as part of a team and participate in group discussions
Not required, but would be nice: ability to read and write in multiple languages (especially if one of those languages is Japanese, Korean, or Russian!)
This position is part-time (10-15 hours per week), flexible hours (this work can be done 24/7 and we set a schedule which fits in with your life), under contract with starting pay of $12 per hour. All candidates must be at least 18 years old and have authorization to work in the United States.
To apply, send a copy of your resume, links to one or more of your online presences, and cover letter to jobs+moderator@scratch.mit.edu.
The Scratch Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected by law.