ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION
Galesburg Community Foundation develops and encourages the philanthropic efforts of people and organizations for a healthy region.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB
The Director of Strategic Programs & Community Partnerships is a forward-facing leadership position that drives community engagement, strategic initiatives, and nonprofit development. This role plays a critical part in advancing the Community Foundation’s mission and organizational growth through relationship-building, strategic program design, grantmaking, and collaboration with the Development Office. The Director is entrepreneurial, relationally transactional, and focused on building trust with nonprofit partners to empower their capacity and effectiveness as mission-driven enterprises delivering social return on investment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PERFORMANCE AREAS
- Lead the strategic direction and implementation of grantmaking initiatives that reflect and respond to community needs.
- Build and sustain trust-based relationships with nonprofit partners, offering education, professional development, and strategic guidance.
- Serve as thought partner to nonprofit leaders, fostering clarity and potential through deep engagement.
- Rethink and build innovative programs that respond to regional needs.
- Represent the Community Foundation through public coalitions, initiatives, and community collaborations.
- Guide the Community Foundation’s grantmaking framework to ensure strategic alignment and community outcomes.
- Support Development in cultivating and growing community funds and nonprofit endowments.
- Supervise and mentor the Grants Manager to ensure operational and strategic excellence.
- Collaborate with Communications Manager to share the impact of programs and partnerships.
- Stay informed about emerging technologies to enhance grantmaking and nonprofit services.
- Design and implement strategies that enhance nonprofit capacity across key areas such as governance, operations and sustainability.
- Participate in the Community Foundation’s Leadership Team and long-term planning efforts.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Understanding of philanthropy, nonprofit infrastructure, and trust-based grantmaking.
- Strategic thinker with entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation.
- Skilled in relationship-building and cross-sector collaboration.
- Comfortable with technology to improve operations and communication.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal communication and customer service orientation.
- Commitment to mission alignment and organizational growth.
- Must be comfortable speaking to groups of various sizes.
- High level of integrity, initiative, and discretion.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead teams effectively.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Building Trust: Promotes transparency, collaboration, and mission alignment.
- Service Focus: Centers the needs of community and nonprofit partners in planning and execution.
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
- Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals. Identifies key relationships and collaborates with potential partner areas to clarify benefits and potential problems. Determines course of action to reach goals and implements effective means for monitoring and evaluating the partnership process.
- Information Monitoring: Setting up ongoing procedures to collect and review information needed to manage activities. Determines which processes or areas need to be monitored; identifies what information needs to be obtained. Establishes systems to monitor activities or outputs that are easy to use and that provide timely and pertinent information. Implements tracking systems and reviews data to determine progress, anticipate needs, and make necessary adjustments to personnel or processes.
- Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences; includes others in the process to obtain good information and make appropriate decisions.
- Leadership Disposition: Demonstrating the traits, inclinations, and dispositions that characterize successful leaders; exhibiting behavior styles that meet the demands of the leader role. Engages people and drives toward success. Sustains positive outlook but shows discipline. Inspires confidence, rapidly learns, and applies new job-related information.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum of 5 years in nonprofit, philanthropic, or community leadership.
- Proven experience in strategic program design and nonprofit partnership.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is typically performed in a well-lit, environmentally controlled indoor environment with moderate noise. Occasional evening and weekend hours required. Regional travel expected.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references to Shawn Hedden at SHedden@yourgcf.org
About Galesburg Community Foundation
Galesburg Community Foundation develops and supports the efforts of local people and organizations to promote healthy communities. The Community Foundation makes giving easy and believes that generosity can positively change Knox, Warren, and Henderson Counties forever. The Community Foundation partners with individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to help them have the greatest impact with their giving. The Community Foundation is working for the good of your community. Learn more at yourgcf.org.
Hiring Policy
Galesburg Community Foundation considers applicants for all positions without regard to gender, race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
Compensation
This position is administrative, full-time, and will be eligible to participate in the Community Foundation’s employee health and benefits plan. Compensation will be commensurate with skill level and experience.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
