Background: Limitless Horizons Ixil (LHI) creates opportunities for the indigenous youth, women, and families of Chajul, Guatemala to develop the academic and professional skills needed to effect change in their lives and community. LHI is a U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which controls a nongovernmental organization in Guatemala. Most staff (including both Guatemalan and American employees) and all programs are located in the impoverished community of Chajul, where only 5% of children graduate from middle school. LHI provides educational resources and opportunities, along with academic support, professional and leadership opportunities, skills training, case management, career guidance, and financial support so that motivated children and youth can succeed in school, lead self-sufficient lives, and become community leaders. Our programs are designed based on community need, local context, and research on what works in international development. Our central principles are that we empower people with opportunities, not handouts, and we invest in training local staff to ensure the sustainability and success of LHI and its programs. With a budget of just $170,000, we employ eight full time employees, support 70 youth and their families in our Youth Development Program, and serve 1,400 members in our community library—the first and only in the county of 50,000. We have had tremendous success keeping students in school and succeeding, and have had steady growth in budget and programming since our founding in 2004.

Like many small, efficient nonprofits with a streamlined budget, LHI has an active and passionate Board of Directors. Four board members (including the Executive Director, who travels back and forth between Chajul and Santa Cruz, CA) have lived and worked in Chajul for at least a year. One board member is a Certified Public Accountant and one is an attorney. Three board members are or have been professional fundraisers. We meet by phone for two hours 4-5 times per year, and once per year in person for a weekend retreat. We are active in leading the organization and raising revenues to support it.

Treasurer role: LHI currently seeks an accountant with nonprofit experience to serve on LHI’s Board of Directors, to lead our Finance Committee, and to serve as Treasurer of the organization. Our current Treasurer will remain on the board and the Finance Committee, supporting the Treasurer as needed. While employees support accounting functions, LHI does not employ any trained accountants, relying on volunteer board members for this support. The role is multifaceted, requiring an average of four hours of volunteer time per week. The Treasurer is responsible for:

• General financial oversight (training and advising staff, developing and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, reviewing staff work)
• Supporting Executive Director and Board with financial planning and budgeting
• Leading all financial reporting, including state and federal filings, filings for soliciting donations and reporting sales tax
• Basic bookkeeping and payroll, especially for U.S.-based expenses
• Monitoring and reconciling bank accounts
• Guiding staff through Guatemala audit process
• Ensuring compliance with grant requirements including reporting and disbursement restrictions

In addition, all board members are expected to assist with fundraising to ensure LHI’s financial sustainability.

Rewards: LHI is a high-impact, growing, community-based international development organization. Our board is a skilled, positive, collaborative group which trusts and learns from each other. Board members have the opportunity to provide meaningful service while developing new knowledge and skills and gaining leadership experience. It is a tremendously rewarding experience. Since 2008, only one board member has resigned (due to family obligations). Our current Treasurer is stepping down from the role to focus more of her energy on her one-year-old daughter and her full time job, but remains committed to LHI and its Finance Committee.

Interested?  Please email Lindsey Musen at [email protected].