Foundation Director

Classification: State Program Administrator Manager
Campus: Hutchinson or Willmar (chosen upon hire)
Employment Condition: Full-time, Unlimited
Bargaining Unit: Managerial Plan - 220
Classified Status: Classified
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:00AM-4:30PM)
Work Hours: 40 hours per week
Wage: $84,063- $121,522/ per year: $40.26-$58.20/ hourly
Anticipated Hiring Wage: $84,063- $104,000 (dependent on experience)
PCN: 00798622
 
Job Summary
The Foundation Director develops, implements, and manages a comprehensive resource fundraising and community awareness program that supports the mission and strategic goals of Ridgewater College and its Foundation. This role oversees fundraising and resource development operations, supervises Foundation staff, and provides leadership in setting and achieving fundraising goals, including annual, endowment, major, planned, and capital gifts.  Key responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations, overseeing fund/financial accounting, and facilitating board member recruitment, onboarding, and development. The Director also manages scholarship and other Foundation programs, organizes friend- and fund-raising events, and promotes the Foundation within the community.
 
Additionally, the Foundation Director is the primary advisor to the Vice President of Enrollment & Advancement and the college President on all Foundation, fundraising, and alumni initiatives. This position involves significant discretion and substantial involvement in the development, interpretation, and implementation of institutional and program policies. The Director interfaces with a broad array of colleagues across the college, System Office, and the general public, serving as a prominent ambassador to generate publicity and cultivate community and corporate partnerships.
 
Principal Responsibilities, Tasks and Performance Indicators

• Comprehensive Resource Development. Provides strategic direction for the Foundation to develop and manage a fundraising plan including strategies to maximize event revenue, annual campaign contributions, and major gifts while fostering new partnerships.    
• Manage the Ridgewater College Foundation:  Provides leadership, direction and coordination on behalf of the Foundation Board to advance the work of the college and the Foundation.
• Program Management:  Provides leadership, direction and oversight of grants, student scholarship and alumni relations programs. This includes responsibility for developing, implementing and maintaining various community outreach strategies.   
• Staff Management. Lead, supervise, and direct department personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in fundraising and/or non-profit management
• Demonstrated success in securing philanthropic gifts and meeting fundraising goals
• Proven experience planning and executing fundraising events or donor engagement activities
• Leadership and management experience in directing staff, setting priorities, managing change, planning, and organizing work.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, including experience with fiscal oversight, reporting, and compliance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively (present to groups, verbally and in writing) and build and maintain effective relationships across a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including high profile individuals and diverse campus constituencies.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance and compliance, including ethical fundraising practices and board operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Experience working in higher education or educational foundations, with an understanding of institutional advancement and donor relations.
• Demonstrated success in securing major and planned gifts, including proposal development and donor stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience in researching, writing, and managing grants from public or private funding sources.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors, including recruitment, training, and strategic engagement.
• Proficiency with donor management and CRM systems, such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms.
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and deliver measurable outcomes.

• Cover Letter
• Online Employment Application
• Resume
• List of three professional references with contact information

• 11 paid holidays each year
• Medical Insurance (Single Coverage $38.50 per month and Family Coverage is $262.66 per month)
• Dental Insurance (low deductibles)
• Paid Parental Leave (six weeks)
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Retirement Plan
• Tax-deferred Compensation
• Generous vacation and sick leave

• Enterprising - We are future-focused, and change-oriented, developing creative solutions to challenges that maximize our institutional, system and local resources.
• Empowerment – We develop and empower employees to make decisions to best serve students and stakeholders.
• Excellence – We strive to exceed expectations in all that we do.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – We seek to understand and appreciate the needs and experiences of every individual and actively work to provide genuine opportunities for everyone to succeed and participate in college activities and processes.
• Trust and Respect – We are committed to developing a culture based in processes and behavior that create trust and respect among all stakeholders.
• Collaboration – We connect and work together to achieve common goals while respecting needs and interests of stakeholders.
• Curiosity and Creativity – We constantly strive to understand, learn, change, and improve.
• Accountability – As individuals and groups, we willingly accept and take ownership of our successes and failures.