Executive Director

Position Overview:

The Executive Director manages and grows the Colorado FFA Foundation by establishing and maintaining a strong fundraising program and other activities to assist the Foundation in its mission: “To seek resources - human, financial and in-kind - to support agricultural education in Colorado, including students (FFA, CSU Ag Ed), teachers (CVATA), and alumni.” The Executive Director works with the Board of Trustees in the development of annual budgets and implementation of strategic plans but has the latitude to work within the boundaries of the established plan of action and annual budget. The Executive Director will primarily work independently and supervise a small team of employees/contractors.

The Foundation owns the Lewis Farm (located in Berthoud) and Kobilan Ranch (located near Calhan), to be used for educational purposes, and this position includes oversight of these properties and of a contractor stewarding these properties.

This position reports directly to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, works closely with the State FFA Advisor, CSU Agricultural Education, CCCS Ag Education Program Director, Agricultural Educator Leadership (CVATA Officers), and has ongoing contact with all donors, FFA chapters, and agricultural education instructors in Colorado.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Secures $600,000 to $1,000,000 in philanthropic revenue annually
• Financial Management
• Stewardship of learning experiences at Kobilan Ranch and Lewis Farm
• Support board of trustees in governance, leadership development
• FFA Chapter and Member Relations
• Staff/contractor supervision

Qualifications:

Proficiencies and Experience

● Must have a passion for agriculture and youth development

● Proven experience in fund-raising or development (professional or volunteer) Experience cultivating donors and developing strategies for complex donor engagements

● High degree of self-initiative, able to work independently

● Strong relationship builder with excellent verbal and written communication skills with significant public speaking experience

● Program/project management skills

● Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills

● Ability to work autonomously, as well as in a team environment – with board of directors, stakeholders, etc.

● Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse spectrum of people including donors and prospects, FFA members, staff, board members, in a variety of institutional and cultural settings

● Knowledge of farm and ranch operations. Understanding of agricultural concepts

● Strong interpersonal skills and a desire to engage with current and potential donors and maintain a presence in the community

Required Qualifications

● A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, education, business, finance, marketing, communications, or a closely related field, or 10 years demonstrated success in a similar or related position

● Experience teaching ag education or equivalent

● Five years of fundraising or development, and/or comprehensive sales and marketing, including foundations, major gifts, direct mail, corporate campaigns, or comparable experience

● Ability to travel 30-40% of the time on same-day travel and 10-15% of the time in overnight travel

● Ability to work remotely (including reliable internet) and work additional hours as necessary, including nights and weekends

Preferred Qualifications

● Experience leading individuals and groups indirectly (not as a direct reporting relationship)

● Experience supervising direct reports, including remote supervision

● Residing within 60 miles of the Colorado Front Range (Cheyenne to Pueblo) because of the location of the primary donor base

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay Range: $85,000 to $100,000. Salary and compensation reviewed annually based on performance evaluation. Bonus available.

Benefits: Cell phone reimbursement, 401K matching, health insurance negotiable, flexible hours, fully remote with support for home office needs, vehicle for FFA Foundation travel

Employment is contingent on the completion of a background check and MVR screening (record of operating motor vehicles.)

Send resume and cover letter to: co.ffa.fdtn.ed.search@gmail.com. No phone calls, please. All applications must be submitted electronically.

Tentative timeline: Candidates who advance will be asked to participate in a phone interview between February 16-27, 2026 (flexible). In person or zoom interviews will be conducted between March 1 and March 15, 2026. Intention is for new Executive Director to start on or before May 1, 2026 (negotiable).