Position Title: Director of Development
Reports To: SSNHA Managing Director
Location: Waterloo, Iowa/On-Site
Status: Full time Salaried Position – Exempt
Salary Range: $50,000 – $60,000 commensurate with experience
Job Summary
The Silos & Smokestacks Director of Development is responsible for strengthening the organization’s current financial health and long-term sustainability. S/he will create and implement an overall fund development plan in partnership with Silos & Smokestacks staff and trustees to sustain operations and programming of the organization. The Director of Development work includes resource generation campaigns, special events, grants, and cultivating relationships with foundations, corporations, charitable organizations and individuals. The Director of Development will also serve as the public facing staff person for the organization with service clubs and similar organizations. This role will require above average interpersonal communications skills, strong ability to multi-task, a drive to succeed, and the ability to work with other staff as a team while meeting individual work goals.
JOB Duties/Responsibilities
Resource Development (grants and campaigns)
- Identify and secure funding for Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area through one-on-one contact with businesses, foundations, grantors, and individuals.
- Engage directly and closely with staff to understand program needs and other potential funding opportunities.
- Work with Managing Director, staff and Trustees to set both short (annual) and long term resource generation goals for Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
- Lead and manage SSNHA Trustees in resources generation
- Research and identify potential grantors, donors, and
- Lead grant writing by identifying potential grantors and submit requests, working with staff to write effective proposals.
- Visit potential donors/funders for the purposes of cultivation and engagement for major gifts, planned gifts, and endowment gifts.
- Lead strategy development and execution of annual campaigns such as Giving Tuesday, direct mail pieces, special campaigns, 30th Anniversary, etc.
- Work with Marketing & Communications Director to ensure development communications, including direct mail/email pieces, case statements, and other development communications, meet the Silos & Smokestacks branding and communications standards.
- Serve as public facing staff person for SSNHA, speaking to groups, attending events with potential funders and supporters and generally building positive relationships with the public for Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
- Timely and accurately record donor gift information in Raiser’s Edge database (CRM) system including making necessary adjustments to ensure database constituent information is up-to-date and correct.
- Develop and write funding reports for grants and other funds as
- Timely and appropriately generate donor/funder thank you and gift acknowledgement letters using database system.
- Work closely with Managing Director to ensure proper processing of all gifts and pledges for accounting purposes including entering all gifts and pledges in the Raiser’s Edge system. And tracking all grant receipts.
- Complete monthly giving reports from RE database for SSNHA financial.
- Generate direct mail/email lists to use with development pieces using Raiser’s Edge database.
special events
- Give leadership to board and staff for Silos & Smokestacks’ Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival program.
- Identify and secure sponsors for Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival.
- Identify and secure talent and entertainment for the Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival.
- Serve as sponsorship committee chair for Iowa Eats.
- Serve as Talent Committee, and Demonstration Committee staff liaison for Iowa Eats, ensuring quality main stage talent and demonstrators for the demonstration rooms.
- Serve as Finance/Ticket sales chair for Iowa Eats.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor to meet the goals of the position.
Other Considerations
Will require occasional work on evenings/weekends. Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and proof of insurance. In-town and out-of-town travel required including occasional overnight travel.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in non-profit management, communications, or related field; minimum 3 years’ experience in fundraising; demonstrated success in all types of fundraising (grants, major gifts, annual gifts); excellent verbal and written communications skills; proven relationship building skills; strength in planning and follow through on fundraising priorities and strategies; ability to work independently as well as with others to reach goals; familiarity with Raiser’s Edge donor management system a plus.
To apply:
Submit a cover letter and resume (pdf only) to: HR@silosandsmokestacks.org
Applications accepted until position is filled.
Background of Organization
In 1996, Silos & Smokestacks, a private 501(c)(3), was congressionally designated as a National Heritage Area to preserve and tell the story of American agriculture and its global significance through partnerships and activities that celebrate the land, people, and communities of the area. Serving member of the of the National Park Service National Heritage Area System, each heritage area preserves its own unique part of the American story. One of 62 National Heritage Areas in the nation, Silos & Smokestacks is the only National Heritage Area dedicated to preserving America’s agricultural story.
