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Senior Development Officer

Position Description

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) is seeking an experienced candidate to fill an essential senior management position that will have a large role in defining the organization’s future. Iowa CCI has stable leadership in place and is well positioned for substantial growth. The Senior Development staffperson will help set the strategic direction during this exciting phase of growth, and help train and supervise staff to accomplish our fundraising objectives. In very practical terms, this staffperson will help lead/direct our development work. Special emphasis will be placed on expanding gifts/giving from individuals.

 
Organizational Background
The Senior Development staffperson will become part of and help lead a staff of 16 people. Collectively, our staff brings nearly 100 years of organizing experience to Iowa CCI. The Executive Director is a previous winner of the Leadership for a Changing World award ($115,000) granted by the Ford Foundation recognizing his leadership in community organizing. Additionally, we have a senior staffperson who is a former fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program. In 2009, The Nation magazine gave CCI an MVP (Most Valuable Progressive) award for being the “Most Valuable Grassroots Advocacy Group.” More recently, CCI was featured on the final show of Bill Moyers Journal as a good example of “organized people taking on organized money.” – 
 
We are fast-paced, energetic and recognized by other community organizing groups throughout the country as an organization that is effective at creating change to make our state – and nation – more just, more democratic.
 
Iowa CCI is a statewide membership-based community organization. Our mission is to empower and unite grassroots people of all ethnic backgrounds to take control of their communities; involve them in identifying problems and needs and in taking action to address them; and be a vehicle for social, economic, and environmental justice. Since 1975, CCI has been successfully organizing on issues related to housing, neighborhood preservation, family farms, environmental protection, worker rights, and immigration reform.

We have 3,000+ grassroots members across the state (in 97 of Iowa’s 99 counties) from all walks of life – urban and rural, black and white, immigrants and lifelong Iowans – who believe in the power of uniting and standing up for what’s right. CCI staff provide training and expertise, but it's our members who provide the focus, leadership and power in numbers to tackle tough issues and get things done. We are a unique organization that is truly by the people and for the people.
 
Our current annual budget of $1 million includes membership dues, major donor gifts, foundations, churches, government grants, corporate contributions, events and investments.
 
Responsibilities of Senior Development staffperson
¨       Work closely with Executive Director and development team to create and implement CCI’s annual fundraising plan, significantly expanding our major gifts program (individuals)
¨       Help identify and cultivate prospective major donors
¨       Develop and implement an annual major donor cultivation and solicitation action plan, including methods of identifying new donors and implementing solicitation strategies for current and prospective donors
¨       Manage a defined major donor portfolio, which includes tracking donor outreach and ensuring records are current with all pertinent information
¨       Perform major gift solicitations via face-to-face meetings, personal letters and phone calls
¨       Help  supervise and manage fundraising efforts of our 16-person staff
¨       Work with the board of directors and other key CCI members to expand their role in fundraising (both “giving & getting”)
¨       Provide training and support to staff and members to help them successfully participate in fundraising efforts for the organization
¨       Help ensure that we have the financial capacity to meet our 3-4 year strategic plan goals
¨       Work with CCI’s development and communications staff to develop compelling materials and messages to maximize fundraising results
 
Qualifications
¨       Proven track record (3-4 yrs experience) of creating and implementing development plans, particularly individual donor efforts
¨       Proven track record (3-4 yrs experience) of identifying, cultivating and managing major donor relationships
¨       Supervisory experience (3-4 yrs)
¨       Strong written and verbal communications skills
¨       Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
¨       Ability to prioritize, multitask and meet deadlines
¨       Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date files, records and systems
¨       Comfortable making in-person solicitations
¨       Well-organized, detailed-oriented, adept at strategic thinking
¨       Willingness to travel around the state for meetings with current and prospective donors
 
Salary and Benefits
¨       Salary commensurate with experience (most likely in the $35k-$45k range)
¨       401 (k) pension plan
¨       Health and dental coverage
¨       Generous vacation and PTO
¨       Training opportunities
¨       Great work environment with dedicated people
 
To Apply:
Email resume and 3 references by September 15, 2010 to:
Hugh Espey, Executive Director
 
Please put “senior development staffperson” in the subject line
 
Mailing address is:
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
2001 Forest Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
 
Iowa CCI is an equal opportunity employer.
 
For more information on Iowa CCI, visit www.iowacci.org

 

Location: 
Des Moines, IA