Vice President of Resource Development

Background

IFF partners with nonprofits across the Midwest and enables them to achieve their missions, support their communities, and increase their financial stability. IFF is a CDFI (community development financial institution) that makes nonprofit loans and identifies real estate solutions that transform under-resourced communities into thriving communities. What sets IFF apart from other CDFIs is its Midwestern focus, passion for problem solving, and sector expertise.

Since 1988 IFF has made more than $1.3 billion in loans to nonprofits from every sector. Unlike a traditional lender, IFF goes a significant step farther and provides its nonprofit borrowers with the research, resources, and expertise needed to best use capital and improve their communities. IFF is guided in its work by a commitment to be an inclusive, anti- racist, and anti-oppressive institution. A shared belief in equity permeates its business practices, loans, and people.

Visit IFF.org to learn more about how IFF connects community lending with community development and engagement.

Summary

IFF seeks an innovative and strategic fundraising leader to fill the organization’s top resource development position,    Vice President of Resource Development. The Vice President of Resource Development plays a pivotal role in the organization’s cultivation and stewardship of funder relationships, shaping strategy and leading and supporting outreach efforts to raise grant funds from a diverse funder base that includes foundations, banks, corporations, government, and others interested in partnering with IFF. The new Vice President will be a courageous fundraiser, active listener, adaptable collaborator, and a committed believer that community lending, development, and engagement can make transformational community change.

The Resource Development Department is situated within the Department of External Affairs, which also includes communications and public policy. The Vice President of Resource Development reports to the Chief of Staff, is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and leads strategy on and coordinates funding opportunities and relationships across the organization — leading prospect research, overseeing grant requests, collaborating on grants management and reporting, and cultivating long-term funder relationships across the Midwest.

Responsibilities

Top candidates for the Vice President of Resource Development position will include individuals with backgrounds in fundraising and nonprofit management. The position is ideally suited for those with strong writing skills and a passion for distilling complex ideas is essential. The successful candidate for this position will:

• Meet IFF’s enterprise and regional growth opportunities with enthusiasm, creativity, and diligence
• Demonstrate capacity for collaborating with and managing cohesive, effective cross-functional teams
• Communicate and build relationships with a broad range of funders, partners, and IFF staff at the Chicago headquarters and at Midwestern offices located in Columbus, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and S Louis
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset to fundraising that promotes proactive and expansive approaches to strategy and problem solving
• Thrive in developing, implementing, and using effective, metrics- and data-based processes and systems
• Show a track record of successful fundraising efforts — especially regarding complex, large grants
• Display high levels of personal integrity and a demonstrated commitment to under-resourced communities

An appreciation for IFF’s mission is imperative, and while experience with IFF or other organizations doing similar work would be a plus, successful nonprofit fundraisers from all service areas are encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

• Research, implement, and support a vision and long-range plan for achieving IFF’s goals through significant new grant opportunities
• Cultivate and maintain close relationships with current funders and develop relationships with new funders throughout the Midwest and nationally
• Develop a deep understanding both of IFF’s business model and priorities that are appropriate for funding requests, and, working with relevant staff, design and manage a work plan for grant fundraising based on annual goals
• Lead and mentor a team of three skilled professionals on prospect research, donor cultivation and stewardship, and grant submittals and reporting
• Lead and facilitate internal efforts across all departments to gather program updates and impact data to ensure funders stay informed and grants remain in compliance
• Serve as an advisor to the CEO and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing them with strategic guidance and support on fundraising matters
• Provide leadership and contribute fundraising and other expertise to cross-functional teams
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO and Chief of Staf

Performance Measures

• Collaborates effectively with Senior Leadership Team and relevant staff to develop annual fundraising plans and strategies, prospects, and proposals
• Achieves annual fundraising goals for each category and department
• Produces high-quality work products and meets deadlines for proposal submission and reporting
• Establishes and stewards relationships with new and existing funders, including through regular networking activities
• Maintains updated and accurate prospect research files, paper and electronic proposals, funder reports, and fundraising files
• Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing
• Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge
• Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues, peers and team members
• Values and supports differences in others, contributing to an inclusive work environment
• Demonstrates the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a collaborative, collegial, and caring community
• High level of satisfaction with both internal colleagues and external contacts

Requirements

A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a demonstrated record of managing staff and increasing responsibility over time. Previous experience working with and advising senior leadership is required. Very strong writing skills will be required, and experience in and knowledge of the nonprofit sector, community development, finance, or real estate is strongly preferred. A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred.

Occasional evening and weekend work should be expected. Occasional travel through the Midwest region will be required. IFF does not offer relocation packages; must be authorized to work in the United States; IFF does not offer sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary for this position starts at $142,000. IFF offers employees medical and dental insurance; a vision discount plan; 401k with organization contribution beginning after one year (contribution fully vested after five years); flexible spending accounts, including dependent care and commuter transportation; and short-term, long-term, AD&D, and life insurance policies. Time off is pro-rated for new hires and accrues. Employees in their first year of employment receive: 11 paid holidays; 15 paid vacation days; 12 paid sick days; and two paid personal days. The organization observes a Summer Friday policy, closing its doors at 2:00 pm on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. A mentoring program is also available.

How to Apply

This search is being conducted by Ter Molen Watkins & Brandt.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume at https://bit.ly/ApplyIFFResourceDevelopment. Confidential inquiries and questions regarding this search may be directed to Caroline Older,

Vice President, at colder@twbfundraising.com.

Recruitment will continue until the position is filled. No phone calls or applications submitted by mail.