Sr. Director of NDFU Foundation

About the NDFU Foundation:

The North Dakota Farmers Union Foundation advances the mission of North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) by strengthening the people, cooperatives, and communities that surround and support family agriculture. We fulfill this commitment by educating youth and developing future leaders, promoting cooperatives, connecting consumers to agriculture, and fostering partnerships that create vibrant, resilient communities where NDFU members live, work, and lead.

The Sr. Director of the Foundation is responsible for driving the growth of the NDFU Foundation, including growing and building youth education and cooperative education programs. In addition to providing leadership to the directors overseeing these programs, this role provides governance support, strategic leadership, management, and direction of the NDFU Foundation. This executive level position is responsible for designing cross-departmental programs and initiatives, leading multi-organizational collaboration and team coordination, and building partnerships and organizational sustainability to support the foundation's purpose, mission, and goals.

• Governance Support and Strategic Leadership
  • Work with the Board of Directors and president to develop and execute a strategic plan to grow Farmers Union Camp and significantly expand the reach of education programs among youth and young adults.
  • Draft and implement organizational plans, strategies, program goals and objectives, prepare budgets, and assess outcomes with program directors that improve organizational performance and effectiveness, enhance value, and identify growth opportunities.
  • Collaborate with NDFU to identify and co-create opportunities and programs that enhance engagement, increase involvement, avoid duplication, and create value for NDFU youth, young adults, and cooperatives.
  • Analyze, evaluate, modify, and improve programs, projects, and activities on a continual basis.
  • Regularly report to the Board of Directors on foundation activities and programs, including financial status, personnel matters, program progress, and new developments.
  • Develop, strengthen, and manage effective partnerships with NDFU, cooperatives and other organizations.
• Management and Team Leadership
  • Establish an aligned and high-performing workplace that focuses on serving the mission and purpose of the foundation through collaboration engagement, commitment, and shared accountability.
  • Lead, coach, and develop program directors (2) and administrative staff (1) and oversee the implementation and fidelity of programs and initiatives.
  • Ensure effective operations of day-to-day activities, coordinating with and between the foundation, NDFU, and partners, ensuring that resources are effectively utilized to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Ensure consistent messaging and timely and integrated communication strategies across the Youth Education and Co-op Education departments and with NDFU.
  • Administer the budget adopted by the Board of Directors and ensure execution of financial transactions and operations in accordance with the policies set by the governing board.
  • Develop and ensure maintenance of a relationship/customer database or system to monitor and update contact information, program participation, engagement, relationships, etc.
  • Maintain written procedures for various job functions.
• Fundraising and Financial Sustainability
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that ensures self-sufficiency by 2030.
  • Establish annual and multi-year revenue goals that diversify funding sources and build sustainable support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other partners.
  • Cultivate and steward donors and funding partners by developing meaningful relationships, communicating the organization's impact, identifying opportunities for increased investment, and ensuring consistent recognition and engagement of supporters.
  • Identify and pursue new funding opportunities through grants, sponsor ships, major gifts, planned giving, special initiatives, and strategic partnerships that advance the organization's mission and expand its capacity.