Director of Development

DEPARTMENT
:
Development
JOB STATUS: Full time
FLSA: Exempt
REPORTS TO: President/CEO
BENEFITS: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, 403b Plan, Paid Vacation/Sick, Paid Parking

The Director of Development leads the Community Foundation’s philanthropy program, providing strategic direction for fund development, fundraising, and donor engagement. This individual approaches leadership with a service mindset—prioritizing the needs of donors, team members, and community partners while fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and shared purpose. They set priorities for Development staff, including the affiliate team, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s mission to grow assets, support impactful grantmaking, and strengthen a culture of philanthropy across the greater Dubuque region.

This role calls for a relationship-driven leader who can balance attracting and supporting fund holders, growing the asset base, and advancing the Forever Fund. The Director cultivates and stewards relationships with donors, prospects, and professional advisors through authentic community engagement and strategic outreach, while advancing the Foundation’s philanthropic strategy through integrated growth and stewardship efforts. This individual oversees the Foundation’s internal and external calendar of events and represents its philanthropic interests through an active and visible presence in the community.

• Provide overall strategic direction for the Development Department, setting annual and long-term goals for fundraising, donor engagement, and asset growth in alignment with the Foundation’s mission and strategic plan.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the Development team, including the affiliate team, building a high-performing culture of philanthropy, best practices, and continuous improvement across all development functions including:
  • Donor visits and relationship management
  • Prospect research, cultivation, and solicitation
  • Annual giving and major gifts
  • Estate and planned giving
  • Professional Advisor Partnerships
  • Transfer of Wealth / Planned Giving program
• Actively seek to grow the Foundation’s asset base in support of its grantmaking goals, with strategic oversight of donor fund development.
• Communicate the Foundation’s unique philanthropic value proposition to current and prospective donors and fund holders, articulating how the Foundation supports community impact while equipping donors to achieve their own charitable goals.
• Work with donors to understand and advance their philanthropic interests, providing access to tools, information, and resources that enhance the effectiveness of their charitable giving.

• Design and lead a comprehensive, donor-centered stewardship strategy that reflects the Foundation’s commitment to concierge-level service for both prospective and current donors.
• Oversee the development and management of an integrated internal and external calendar of events, including donor recognition events, cultivation gatherings, professional advisor programming, and community-facing activities.
• Lead the Foundation’s efforts to recognize and celebrate philanthropic leadership in the community, including identifying and nominating deserving individuals for local and regional awards and recognition programs.
• Enhance external partnerships with wealth advisors, estate planning professionals, and other professional advisors, serving as a primary relationship manager for these strategic alliances.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy in the greater Dubuque community through consistent public presence, storytelling, and engagement.

• Lead and develop a planned giving program tied to the Transfer of Wealth study, identifying and cultivating relationships with prospective planned giving donors.
• Oversees the Foundation’s Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) program to deepen relationships with professional advisors and expand philanthropic expertise across the region.
• Participate in professional development organizations such as AFP, AdNet, and other planned giving…