Community Development Director Jobs in Fort Dodge, IA

Location : Fort Dodge, IA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202200624
Department: Alumni Relations
Division: Public Information
Opening Date: 06/17/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Description Summary
GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Inspire the vision and provide leadership for the Iowa Central Community College Foundation, under minimal supervision of the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Working with the Board of Directors, Foundation Board of Directors, volunteers, the President and employees of Iowa Central, develop and implement programs to achieve the Foundation's priorities. Cultivate lifelong relationships with alumni, families and friends of Iowa Central; and engage in consistent and regular outreach efforts to build a culture of engagement and philanthropy within Iowa Central.
The starting salary for this position is $85,703.94. Compensation above the starting salary may be negotiated based on the candidate's education, experience, and demonstrated qualifications.
This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received, and the posting may close at any time without prior notice.
Examples of Duties
Constant(67-100%)

• Provide comprehensive leadership of Iowa Central's Foundation and Foundation Board Members.
• Develop strategy and plans to support the mission, values, and the goals of Iowa Central and the Foundation.
• Oversee one FTE Foundation support full-time position.
• Provide implementation guidance and direction.
• Lead Iowa Central's campus-wide fundraising activities, including academics and athletics.
• Serve as the architect of Iowa Central's major fundraising campaign(s) and gift planning/development efforts and lead the implementation of the plans.
• Serve as an active and collaborative partner to all internal Foundation functions and campus colleagues to foster strategic and effective fundraising practices.
• Develop meaningful and productive relationships with major gift donors, including alumni, friends, and families.
• Share Iowa Central's and the Foundation's mission and plans with donors, potential donors, Iowa Central employees, students, alumni, and friends.
• Prepare requests and encourage annual giving by the college and Foundation Board of Directors.
• Identify and research interests of individual and corporate funding sources.
• Seek renewals of designated gifts for scholarships, classroom technology, and other projects from businesses, organizations, and individuals.
• Cultivate and solicit donors and prospective donors through research, personal contacts, relationship building efforts, and events.
• Remain current on fundraising trends, ethics, laws, community fundraising events, national programs, and fundraising activities.
• Report regularly to the Board of Trustees and Foundation Board.
• Annually administer 200+ Foundation scholarship awards.
• Develop scholarship criteria by working with donors.
• Follow Foundation's Gift Acceptance Policy.

Frequent(34-66%)

• Identify and qualify major donors with long-term goal of soliciting estate giving.
• Speak to public service clubs and other organizations informing about the Foundation's mission and goals.
• Participate in the service area networking opportunities ensuring community visibility and participation.
• Ensure the financial resources of gifts to the Foundation supports the educational priorities of Iowa Central and are utilized in accordance with the donors wishes.
• Organize special events, including Annual Hall of Fame, to promote the Foundation and Iowa Central and raise funds, through the Iowa Central region.
• Prepare materials for regular and special Foundation Board meetings.
• Manage an information system for all gifts and donor information.
• Ensure that charitable receipts are provided to all donors.
• Develop, recommend, and administer the annual Foundations budget.
• Approve all expenditures of the Foundation and examine monthly financial reports to ensure their accuracy.
• Serve as a permanent member on the College Shared Governance Committee - Alumni and Foundation

Occasional(10-33%)

• Recruit and provide orientation new Foundation Board members.
• Manage estate gift process with donor family and attorney ensuring donor wishes followed.
• Lead the annual audit and tax preparation processes, ensure all standards set by other regulatory agencies, donors, and media are met.
• Consult with legal counsel, auditors, and other professionals as required.
• Write and collaborate Foundation sections to include in the bi-annual Triton Circle Newsletters to all donors, friends, and others.
• Prepare and write annual report of Foundation accomplishments and year-end financial status for distribution to all donors, faculty, staff, friends, and others.
• Write news releases announcing major gifts and grants.
• Prepare campaign materials and present vision and goals to employees to encourage annual gifts.
• Prepare campaign materials for annual campaigns directed to businesses and individuals.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
1.Be able and willing to represent Iowa Central Community College in a positive manner with prospective, former, and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve.
2.Raise substantial funds for the Foundation.
3.Communicate effectively, orally, and in writing.
4.Work effectively with many people including faculty, staff, community, and business leaders.
5.Manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
6.Give recognition and credit to others.
7.Approach responsibilities and ways of accomplishing goals creatively.
8.Establish creditability and build trust with donors and funding sources.
9.Persist when there is lack of response or negative response by donors or granting organizations.
10.Participate in college activities and events and act as an advocate for the college at all times.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred. Prefer at least 5 years of paid fundraising experience, working the full spectrum of development. Demonstrated success in fundraising, including the ability to close major gifts in a relationship-based culture. Demonstrated ability to form and fully leverage cross-functional teams of colleagues and volunteers towards development and closure of major fundraising priorities. Strong oral and written communication skills. Proven ability to work with a high level of independence, maintain confidentiality, prioritize efforts and manage time effectively. Demonstrated interpersonal skills to foster and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, donors, and community and institutional leadership.
This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received, and the posting may close at any time without prior notice.
Supplemental Information
GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH OR WITHOUT A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Position involves constant (67-100%) talking to or listening to persons over the phone and in person, utilizing computer equipment, viewing a computer screen or reading; frequent (34-66%) sitting in an office, traveling to on and off campus facilities, including businesses and personal homes; and occasional (10-33%) stooping, kneeling, carrying, reaching, standing, walking, pulling, grasping, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individual may perform other duties as assigned.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental, retirement (IPERS or TIAA), life insurance (2x base salary up to $300,000), and long-term disability.
Our paid time off package includes holidays (7), vacation (15 days), personal days (16 hours), volunteer leave (8 hours) and sick leave (120) hours. The leaves listed are annual and some of the leave benefits may be prorated based on date of hire.
In addition, we offer several voluntary benefits including: vision, supplemental employee, spouse and children life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and 403b retirement savings.