Jeff Mansour

Experience

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  Arab American Institute

  Jan 1985 - Jan 1986

  Regional Outreach

  Implemented political outreach and public education efforts; advocated for civil rights; managed get-out-the-vote and opinion survey efforts; organized conferences, seminars and debates; and cultivated strong relationships between racial and ethnic groups.

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  New Detroit, Inc.

  Jan 1986 - Jan 1993

  Director of Government Relations

  Increased effectiveness and broadened impact of community-based volunteer mediator program; secured funding and referrals from courts. Directed institutional and grass-roots lobbying related to public health and safety, welfare, education, economic justice, civil rights, the arts, and race relations.1990 Division Director, Government Relations1989 Program Director, Neighborhood Reconciliation Center1986 Project Director, Crime Prevention

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  Michigan Export Services

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1996

  President

  Family business exporting hospitality and agricultural water treatment systems to the Middle East.

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  University of Michigan-Flint

  Dec 1995 - Feb 2005

  Director of Government Relations

  Chancellor’s cabinet member; represented Chancellor and campus before state and local government, federal agencies, community groups, and media. Led advocacy effort for $45 million in state building funds. Developed and implemented advocacy and outreach campaigns involving teams of faculty, staff, students, and alumni; facilitated community service programs and research grants; and conceived and organized conferences, seminars, speakers series, TV debates, and VIP tours.

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  Ruth Mott Foundation

  Jan 2005 - May 2007

  Program Officer

  Managed diverse community beautification grant portfolio aimed at public space enhancement, creation of community gardens and trails, multi-funder historic building renovations, volunteer public gardening and anti-litter efforts, farmers’ market expansion, and brownfield redevelopment. Integrated community beautification and public space grantmaking with outreach and education programs at the Mott Applewood Estate, represented foundation with local and state governments and colleges and universities, co-led multi-funder non-profit capacity building consortium. Show less

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  The Harvest Foundation

  May 2007 - Jun 2012

  Senior Program Officer

  Led community revitalization portfolio including rural economic development, grassroots placemaking, master planning for historic business district, historic preservation of key downtown structures, and utilization of PRI’s for business attraction and historic preservation. Conceived and implemented a racially diverse Community Development Corporation. Broadened economic opportunity through artisan and creator entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, and local foods. Promoted outdoor recreation, active living, park and trail development, watershed planning, Rails-to-Trails, and a cross-border cultural heritage and tourism effort. Coordinated strategic and program planning process with board. Led impact assessment of program area. Co-implemented grant management and evaluation process. Guided grantee partners in non-profit capacity building and in efforts to leverage government funds. Show less

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  The Aslan Foundation

  Jul 2012 - Dec 2015

  Executive Director

  Transitioned $100M family foundation from a mostly reactive, short-term funder to a proactive, deep impact grantmaking and operating foundation. Conceived and led strategic initiatives in arts and culture, environmental conservation and property acquisition, education, public spaces/placemaking and connectivity, and community engagement and development. Initiated and facilitated planning and design of foundation operated artist in residence program, including stakeholder engagement and program development.Reintroduced foundation to community leaders and residents and engaged them in mission. Professionalized operations and ensured regulatory compliance, implemented key internal reforms and efficiencies, initiated first-ever financial and legal audits, and thorough operational assessment. Developed, expanded, and protected foundation properties comprised of 150 acres of urban forest and 11 historic structures. Led site development and connectivity planning, facilitated structural and award-winning landscape design, and oversaw public space and historic preservation construction. Developed invasive plant and insect species management plan, involved students and faculty in property assessments and planning.Reorganized and grew facilities and administrative staff to meet mission needs. Show less

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  Community Impact Advising

  Jan 2016 - Feb 2017

  Founding Principal

  Applying over 25 years of higher education, community development, non-profit, and philanthropic experience to help funders, non-profits, colleges and universities, and municipalities achieve meaningful and sustainable impact in the communities they serve.Areas of expertisePhilanthropy: Strategic grantmaking, values-centered strategic planning, program and initiative design and implementation, foundation administration and operations, collective impact and coalition building, operating foundation planning and programming, community engagement and convening, and next generation board member engagement and development. Community Vitality: Placemaking and destination development, historic preservation, environmental conservation, recreation infrastructure and amenities including trail networks and public spaces, local food systems including farmers markets and value chain development, local economy and entrepreneurship, and arts and culture - especially related to community quality of life.Non-profits: Non-profit capacity building, organizational strategic learning and planning, and executive coaching and mentoring.Higher Education: Planning, designing, and implementing community outreach programs and initiatives for colleges and universities. Show less

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  Friends of Southwest Virginia - Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

  Senior Development Planner

  Working to implement Appalachian Resource Commission POWER grant for economic restructuring in SW VA coalfield communities.

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  Thompson Charitable Foundation

  Mar 2016 - now

  Working with grantees and community leaders and residents to enhance quality of life and expand opportunities in Appalachian coalfield communities. Focusing on transitioning displaced coal workers to new careers, cultivating entrepreneurship, building community civic and nonprofit capacity, and initiating and promoting community economic restructuring. Developing recommendations and implementation strategies for community development and quality of life grantmaking for coalfield communities in Southwest Virginia.

  • Executive Director

    May 2024 - now

  • Program Director

    Jan 2016 - May 2024

  • Strategic Grantmaking Advisor

    Mar 2016 - Dec 2016