The Iowa State University Foundation is charged with the rewarding task of fundraising for the university. Together, we work as a team to expertly match our donors’ passions with Iowa State’s needs.
The first gift to Iowa State was made in 1899 by alumnus and former professor Edgar Stanton, who donated the original 10 bells of the Campanile. Without this first gift, and all the generous gifts since then, Iowa State’s campus would be completely different. The foundation honors this tradition today by finding new ways to move Iowa State University forward – whether through scholarship support, funding leading-edge facilities, creating new opportunities, or recruiting the best faculty.
As one of our Directors of Development in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, you will meet frequently with potential donors face-to-face in their homes, at events or hosting at a restaurant or coffee shop. Working each day to connect donors’ philanthropic interests with campus priorities, you will blend your professional knowledge, relationship management skills, and talent with philanthropic strategies.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University is a world-class learning and research community. An appreciation for the unique mission of Iowa State’s most academically diverse college is important.
Based on qualifications and experience, a selected candidate may hold one of these job titles: Associate Director of Development or Director of Development.
Core Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 125 assigned prospects. You will develop new prospect relationships while engaging previous and current donors. Working with campus and foundation teams, you will partner with our research team and identify prospects capable of making major gifts of $100,000 or greater.
- Plan and manage a deliberate sequence of interactions with each prospect, intended to build engagement and ultimately to present gift proposals.
- Travel extensively (up to 50%) to establish and nurture long-lasting, strong donor relationships with the end goal of proposing and closing major gift donations.
- Work with team members to develop strategies to achieve goals for fundraising priorities.
- Work independently and collaboratively with all levels of college administration, faculty, staff, donors and foundation development teams on a variety of donor-centered tasks and activities including foundation and college special events.
- Communicate in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes. You will write donor correspondence, contact reports and proposals, and provide briefings on program status. You will also communicate the foundation’s role and donor’s wishes to key campus and foundation staff.
Qualifications
Education & Work Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree or professional certification preferred.
- 3+ years of professional experience in any of the following areas: major gift fundraising, non-profit work, higher education, sales, communications, or another related field.
Desired Skills & Experience
- Ability to achieve ambitious goals. You should have a remarkable track record for leading successful initiatives with measurable results.
- Savvy relationship-building and leadership skills and be an excellent communicator. You should be articulate and persuasive with diplomacy and tact to represent the foundation to multiple constituents, donors, and campus leadership. You must also have demonstrable skills in persuasive speaking and influencing others.
- Problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. You can champion donor-centeredness by understanding the desires of the donors and creating simple solutions.
- Strong team orientation, a dedicated work ethic, and a positive and professional attitude.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and manage multiple initiatives.
- Ability to use a variety of software applications including CRM.
- Creativity, patience, a sense of humor and a belief in our organizational mission of: Aligning donor passion and generosity to advance Iowa State University’s land grant ideals
Travel: Travel required
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Ames, IA; potentially hybrid
To APPLY please include the following items:
- Resume
- Cover letter with salary requirements
- Three professional references’ names and contact information
For additional information, visit the following pages:
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