Job Details

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.
• We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.
• We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.
• We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.  

POSITION SUMMARY

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE) and the Children and Youth Institute (CYI), this position will serve as the Director of the Michigan 4-H Foundation (Foundation) and is accountable for progressive and administrative management of this non-profit corporation whose mission is to support and advocate for MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Programs in the state of Michigan. This includes leadership for Michigan 4-H Foundation philanthropic priorities, private sector engagement and management, donor cultivation and relationship management, and other functions as assigned, in collaboration with the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), MSU Extension, and MSU Advancement (UA).

Acting as the Manager of the Michigan 4-H Foundation, you will work collaboratively to oversee the operation and facilitate the strategic development of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. You will serve as the lead point of contact for the Foundation, be an active member of the Michigan 4-H Foundation executive committee, have signature authority for Michigan 4-H Foundation accounts and other legal documents, and participate in the development of strategic plans, while leading the implementation of operational and administrative objectives and goals.

You will plan, implement, and direct high level and complex problem solving, and will lead the team of staff members with Michigan 4-H Foundation responsibilities to carry out the work of the Foundation.  Under your direction, you will lead the creation and implementation of organizational policies and procedures designed to streamline and improve the organization’s processes and will lead efforts to collaborate with internal and external partners to realize measurable results. This includes planning, directing, and facilitating relationships and partnerships between the Michigan 4-H Foundation, Michigan State University and current and potential 4-H donors and stakeholders.

While this position will report to the State Leader for Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development, input and direction will also be received by the Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, whose officers and committee chairs, along with the Michigan 4-H State Leader, will provide direction for policy and specific program direction.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership for operations of Michigan 4-H Foundation (50%).

• Implement a yearly strategic fundraising plan in cooperation and collaboration with the CANR Advancement team and the CANR senior director of advancement.
• Meet established dollar/donor goals for the Michigan 4-H Foundation to support Michigan 4-H endowments held in the Michigan 4-H Foundation, expendable and capital priorities.
• Build working relationships with the Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees and internal constituents to enhance information exchange between units within MSU Extension and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, including advising faculty and administrators of appropriate fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Michigan State University Advancement (UA), the CANR Director of Development, Michigan 4-H Foundation trustees, MSU Extension administration, the State 4-H Leader, and county-based Michigan 4-H Youth Development staff to create and carry out fundraising strategies and solicitation of gifts.
• Provide leadership for Foundation capital campaigns in coordination with MSU, the CANR, and MSUE.
• Oversee the maintenance of accurate donor/prospect records for planning and documenting significant strategic prospect "moves" toward closure of gifts for the Michigan 4-H Foundation.
• Provide campaign and fund development progress reports for MSU Extension, the Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees and for University Advancement purposes.
• Serve as a liaison between the CANR and UA development officers, donors/prospects, the Michigan 4-H Foundation, and MSU to ensure that information and services that may be desired are provided to the full extent permitted by Foundation and university policies, rules, and regulations.

Internal and external relationship building and cultivation (25%).

• Work with development officers to build strong, engaged relationships with prospects to determine and merge their passions/interests/needs with Michigan 4-H areas of funding priority and opportunity.
• Build working relationships with internal 4-H constituents to enhance information exchange of appropriate fundraising priorities and strategies between 4-H program staff and foundation staff and trustees.
• Engage with county 4-H program staff on a regular basis to explore matching grant opportunities, county endowments, and provide local grant solicitation support, as appropriate.
• Assist with the coordination of and participation in 4-H and college alumni and donor engagement, prospecting, recognition, and stewardship events, as appropriate.
• In conjunction with CANR Development staff, utilize the University alumni and donor database to coordinate with other development colleagues, record contact activities, update donor information, record strategic moves, management steps and gift documentation, as appropriate.

Provide leadership for resource development efforts of the Foundation (25%).

• Develop and deliver funding proposals and case statements in collaboration with CANR and UA Development staff, to effectively communicate in writing and verbally, the strategic funding priorities of Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation.
• Interpret the needs and priorities of Michigan 4-H, verbally and in writing, to engender a level of understanding that is conducive to giving.
• Assist in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and professional groups in support of Michigan 4-H’s strategic and capital campaign priorities.
• Assist in planning and implementing of special purpose appeals, as necessary.
• Assist with the development of solicitation appeals, development and alumni articles, proposals, and other materials for engagement, cultivation, and solicitation purposes.
• Clearly identify funding priorities and articulate the need for and impact of support for 4-H, and MSU Extension, in order to achieve the MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H Foundation''s annual and campaign fundraising goals.
• Identify, qualify and work to build strong, engaged relationships with special gift prospects to determine and merge prospect passions/interests/needs with MSU and Michigan 4-H Foundation areas of funding priority and opportunity.
• Work in conjunction with CANR annual giving staff to develop messages and materials for annual fund campaigns, including faculty/staff and student philanthropy.

• Interact with Michigan State University alumni/individuals/corporations/businesses/employees and corporate leadership to solicit as potential donors, manage donor request and to cultivate and train them as volunteers.
• In collaboration with CANR Development staff, work with Michigan 4-H alumni, volunteers, retirees, and member families as well as other individuals, corporations, businesses, and corporate, organizational and community leadership to solicit as potential donors, manage donor requests, and to cultivate and train them as potential volunteers.
• Interact with Michigan 4-H program staff and administration in order to seek their advice on funding needs, to answer development questions, to advise them on development strategy and to solicit them as potential donors.
• Interact with Michigan State University Advancement and CANR Development staff and peers in order to assist in the understanding and implementation of fundraising procedures, to obtain advice and counsel on options being considered for programs, and to coordinate the cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects.
• Interact with MSU Extension Director, Director of the Children and Youth Institute, State 4-H Leader, Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, and the MSU Extension Administrative team to coordinate effort, participate in strategic planning, obtain advice and counsel for the implementation of donor/development strategies, and other annual and strategic goals of the Michigan 4-H Foundation.

Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in communications, public relations, advertising, marketing, or related field.
• Five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public relations, marketing, or administration including experience in planning and coordinating large scale events.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in resource development field with demonstrated success in developing proposals and soliciting funds to support targeted programs.
• Self-starter who can effectively work both independently and in a team environment.
• Experience and proven ability working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally.
• Ability to identify and assist in the development of materials in support of programming created with a DEI lens that supports growth and understanding of critical issues facing target audiences.
• Ability to apply a DEI framework, review and provide administrative guidance across events, processes, outreach strategies, program delivery and communication pathways to identify and remove barriers in reaching potential donors.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively, demonstrate sound decision-making skills, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability for accuracy and thoroughness.
• Demonstrated skills and professional development from the last five years related to cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of computer software and usage (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, scheduling, Internet browsers, etc.).
• Knowledge of MSU branding, MSU Extension branding and Michigan 4-H branding.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment while adhering to aggressive deadlines.
• Event coordination experience.
• Ability to lift and carry educational materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a diverse network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Able to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and economic diversity of the target population.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Current resume/CV.

Cover letter.

Four (4) professional references including two (2) current or previous supervisors.

Together-we-will Statement

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://youtu.be/8KBMarSqHos

Bidding eligibility ends January 17, 2023, at 11:55 PM