Job Title: Development Director

Location: Hiawatha, IA

Terms: Full-time exempt

Schedule:

• Primarily Monday-Friday with flexible working hours, some nights and weekends, as required
• Office location is in Hiawatha, IA

Salary: Minimum starting salary of $80,000/yr., commensurate with experience

Job Overview: The Development Director is responsible for development and execution of all funding initiatives including major gifts, annual campaigns, planned giving, foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and more to support the Foundation’s mission. The primary goal of this role is to drive significant revenue growth, increase donor engagement, and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Foundation.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and resource development strategy aligned with the Foundation’s mission and goals.
• Obtain and maintain a strong understanding of the Kids on Course program and all its facets.
• In collaboration with the Board and Executive Director, set annual goals and budgets aligned to short- and long-term goals.

Donor Relations:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with existing donors and supporters.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with new, high-net worth donors and planned giving prospects for major gifts (ranging from six to seven digits in size).
• Develop and grow relationships with a select group of donor prospects.

Grant Writing Management:

• Seek out and apply for potential sources of support including grants and public funding.
• Manage the grant application process, including tracking deadlines, gathering required documentation, and submitting proposals.
• Source, manage, and oversee completion of grants with the internal ZJF team or through a third-party writer.

Communication & Organization

• Oversees the fundraising process, maintains records of receipts and disbursements of funds in donor database in collaboration with the Director of Finance and Operations.
• Maintains a list of both current and potential donors including corporations, foundations, and individuals.
• Works with the Director of Marketing and Events to produce relevant and informative fundraising literature for distribution to previous donors and the public.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proven track record in fundraising, preferably with a strong background in personal solicitation.
• Demonstrated experience conducting major fundraising activities at the six-figure level and above, including capital and annual giving campaigns.
• Strong organizational skills, particularly planning, managing deadlines, and evaluating progress are required.
• A solid understanding of current laws regarding taxability of donations, regulations pertaining to fundraising—especially planned gifts, deferred giving strategies, and knowledge of a diverse array of financial instruments are essential.
• Excellent, persuasive, and clear written and verbal skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Competence with and commitment to diversity and inclusion; ability to be an effective partner with a diverse group of staff, students, donors and other stakeholders.
• Well-developed leadership abilities and willingness to take risks and solve problems creatively.
• Effective ability to use and learn computers, technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint), the internet, and databases.