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Director of Development

Description: 

The Director of Development reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for securing foundation grant funding, individual donations, and corporate giving.  The Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors of the Iowa Legal Aid Foundation to set the vision and priorities of Iowa Legal Aid’s fundraising efforts statewide.

Priority roles for Iowa Legal Aid’s Director of Development include:

  • Be the public face for Iowa Legal Aid fundraising;
  • Cultivate effective relationships with members of the Board and ILA staff;
  • Coordinate and support the fundraising efforts of Board Members, Regional Advisory Council Members, and staff with corporate and individual donors;
  • Develop an annual fundraising plan and engage board and staff to expand philanthropic gifts to the Foundation through identifying, cultivating, educating, soliciting and stewarding prospects for annual operating purposes and planned and estate gifts in support of the fundraising campaign. Implement the plan in order to achieve established goals which includes face-to-face visits and successful solicitations of individuals, corporations, and foundations;
  • Write effective letters, proposals and requests for money that will secure charitable funding;
  • Work as a leader closely with Iowa Legal Aid staff and volunteer leaders to ensure that assignments and activities are communicated, and contact strategies are developed in a coordinated and timely fashion in order to achieve monetary goals;
  • Provide leadership and direction in the development and implementation of branding and marketing strategies;
  • Develop topics and materials to lead training efforts and motivational to ensure the skill development of the Board and staff;
  • Work with tax professionals to ascertain the requisite knowledge on tax effects of charitable contributions, gift and estate giving methods and the legal aspects of charitable giving;
  • Ensure appropriate and timely gift recording and acknowledgement policies and procedures are in place for charitable gifts that are made;
  • Oversee major donor research including historical data;
  • Effectively provide management for and development of the Administrative Assistant for Philanthropic Giving; and
  • Perform other duties as assigned/needed.

Salary is commensurate with experience based on a competitive public interest salary schedule.  Excellent benefits.

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer and persons seeking employment will be considered without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, religion, pregnancy, genetic information, military service, engagement in legally protected activity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Iowa Legal Aid:

The mission of Iowa Legal Aid is to make hope, dignity and justice available to low-income Iowans through legal assistance and education that protects fundamental rights, basic necessities and access to the judicial system; challenge policies and practices that harm low-income persons; and empower clients to advocate effectively for themselves and their communities. 

Iowa Legal Aid is the only statewide provider of free, civil legal assistance to low-income Iowans.  It helps people with critical legal needs that affect safety, shelter, sustenance and health:

Protects victims of domestic violence;

Protects families from unsafe housing and illegal evictions;

Protects elderly Iowans from consumer fraud, elder abuse and financial exploitation, and

Secures healthcare, SSI and basic public benefits for low income Iowans.

Services are provided in all 99 Iowa counties through 10 regional offices.  Over 499,000 Iowans are income eligible for Iowa Legal Aid’s services.

Iowa Legal Aid closed approximately 15,600 cases in 2017, serving nearly 36,000 Iowans including approximately 15,000 children.

Iowa Legal Aid is unique in that a separate not-for-profit organization, the Iowa Legal Aid Foundation, has been created to serve as the philanthropic fundraising arm of Iowa Legal Aid, enhancing the organization’s ability to raise funds to both increase and sustain its service to low-income Iowans. 

 

Requirements: 

Desired qualifications include:

  • A passion for the mission of Iowa Legal Aid and a demonstrated commitment to serving low-income individuals and communities;
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred;
  • Must have a minimum of 5 years professional experience in fundraising;
  • Self-starter with demonstrated initiative;
  • Demonstrated success in soliciting and acquiring major gift
  • A record and ability to meet and exceed annual monetary goals;
  • Experience with strategic planning that leads to achieving goals and objectives;
  • Demonstrated success in motivating volunteers and staff leaders with various competing interests;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills along with effective written and oral communication skills;
  • Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail and deadlines;
  • Capable of professionally representing Iowa Legal Aid by demonstrating pride and loyalty; and
  • The ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as needed.
  • Background in coordinating volunteers in a fundraising program and familiarity with Iowa Legal Aid and the community.
To Apply: 

Applications:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Applications must include a letter expressing interest in the position, qualifications, salary history, and what the applicant hopes to contribute to the organization’s future; a current resume; and a writing sample.  Applications will be kept confidential until finalists are chosen.

Materials should be submitted electronically to akness@iowalaw.org in Microsoft Word or pdf format.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
April 7, 2019
Organization Information: 
Iowa Legal Aid
1111 9th Street, Suite 230
Des Moines, IA 50314
United States
Phone: 515-243-2151