General Description of Position 

The Executive Director of the Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation, is responsible for crafting and achieving the foundation’s mission and overseeing the administration of its strategic planning and operations. The mission of the foundation is to build dreams and transform lives by cultivating respectful relationships that promote lifelong learning. The foundation board and staff achieve the foundation’s mission by fundraising that provides financial support to the college and its students.

The Executive Director works closely with the college president and, as a member of the President’s Council, is an active participant in college strategic planning that directly ties the goals of the college with the financial support of the Foundation. The key responsibility of the executive director is to interface with the community to raise funds that support college initiatives and provide financial assistance to students through scholarships.

Essential Job Functions 

Executive administration

• Takes responsibility for long-range strategies that ensure the foundation makes consistent and timely progress toward achieving its mission
• Supports the foundation board in its responsibility for the fiscal integrity of the foundation
• Ensures that gifts are administered to honor the donor’s intent, investment policies, scholarship criteria, foundation by-laws, audit requirements, tax requirements, state requirements for charitable organizations, and college policies
• Ensures that endowment and investment policy requirements are carefully followed

Administration of operations

• Ensures proper stewardship and recognition of gifts
• Works in partnership with college’s financial aid and business offices to award scholarships and resolve student funding issues
• Takes responsibility for fiscal management operating within the approved budget as well as ensures maximum resource allocation and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position
• Works with college’s business office and Vice President of Financial Services on activities such as tax return preparation and external audit
• Maintains official records and documents and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Engages with foundation volunteers

Fundraising

• Leads and manages fundraising and development of resources to support established priorities. Activities may include an annual campaign, a planned giving campaign, and a capital campaign
• Works in partnership with college president and the President’s Council
• Communicates the college’s mission, vision, and strategic goals to donors and prospective donors; cultivates relationships with individuals and organizations
• Works with the foundation board on the development of an annual budget as well as development and implementation of a strategic plan

Institutional advancement

• Takes responsibility for the enhancement of the college and foundation’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations
• Works with college president and President’s Council to identify and develop fundraising initiatives
• Serves as foundation’s primary spokesperson to organization’s constituents, the media, and the general public
• Develops relationships with other education institution foundations

Board governance

• Leads and directs the foundation in a way that supports and guides the foundation’s mission, seeking the board members’ involvement in policy decisions, fundraising, and drawing awareness of the foundation
• Communicates effectively with the foundation board, providing timely and accurate information so the board may function properly and make informed decisions
• Works with foundation board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach
• Conducts official correspondence of the foundation with the board president and vice president; executes legal documents with designated board officers
• Regularly reviews the foundation’s progress on strategic goals

Educational Background 

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or related field.
• In addition, five years of professional level fundraising experience in a non-profit setting or for-profit trust management services.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Personal Qualifications 

• The education and/or work experience must demonstrate that an individual meet all of the following minimum qualifications.

Minimum/mandatory education and experience:

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with boards, volunteers, and a wide range of constituents;
• Demonstrated ability to promote collaboration, teamwork, and partnerships with internal and external constituents;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement fundraising events and capital campaign projects;
• Experience with basic accounting and financial management
• Demonstrated ability to work with a broad and diverse range of people and activities;
• Technical abilities with strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Experience as an effective supervisor of employees, supporting them, while promoting a positive, healthy work climate;
• Demonstrated public relations and marketing skills