Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

UGA Cooperative Extension was founded in 1914 to bring research-based agricultural information to the people of Georgia. County agents and specialists throughout the state share information on issues like water quality, profitability in agribusiness, family wellness and life skills. County agents provide soil and water test kits and instruction, advice on safe pesticide use, publications, computer programs and lessons in consumer skills to improve Georgians’ quality of life. They are the local experts in food safety, proper eating habits, child safety and parenting. UGA Extension coordinates 4-H, Georgia’s largest youth program. Each year, almost 200,000 young Georgians participate in community projects, summer camps and conferences on today’s issues while having fun and learning to work together. The leadership skills and values they learn in 4-H last a lifetime. UGA Extension reaches more than 2.6 million Georgians through education programs each year. Millions more rely on UGA Extension’s publications, educational news articles and public television programming for advice and information.

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Cooperative Extension seeks a dynamic and innovative professional to provide statewide support and coordination for the Georgia 4-H Foundation. This is a full-time salaried staff position based in Athens, Georgia.

Position Summary: 

The Georgia 4-H Foundation Executive Director serves as both the manager and major fundraising/chief development officer of the Georgia 4-H Foundation. The position works under the direct supervision of the State 4-H Leader and is responsible for providing strategy, leadership, direction, coordination, and management of all levels of giving for the Foundation, including major and capital gifts, annual funds, stewardship, special events, endowments, and estate designations, as well supervise the organization’s development and administrative staff. The Executive Director serves as the liaison between Georgia 4-H and University Development.

To fulfill the college’s mission and implement its programs and initiatives, the Executive Director works closely with the State 4-H Leader, the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees executive committee, and the State 4-H faculty to develop fundraising priorities, create a development plan, implement the plan, and secure major gifts. In this role, the employee is responsible for communication, collaboration, and coordination between Georgia 4-H and the University Development office, as well as creating productive partnerships with all other UGA school, college, and unit fundraising programs.w

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and/or Competencies: 

The ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of people, establish a track record in building meaningful relationships and the ability to inspire others are critical components of the position.

• Strong people and time management skills
• Enhanced capacity to cultivate and solicit gifts from high-level prospects
• Knowledge of IRS rules and regulations regarding charitable gifts and nonprofit organizations
• Self-starter and highly motivated; extremely organized
• Experienced manager of fund development, business, and administrative staff/personnel
• Adept at navigating complex environments and evolving priorities
• Communicates and employs interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct
• Ability to work/communicate successfully with multiple areas of leadership, including 4-H faculty in the State 4-H Office, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, and colleagues in the UGA Development Office.
• Extended workdays of more than eight hours, frequent night and weekend work including travel within the state of Georgia. Annually several out of state trips may be required for conferences and to visit potential donors. Driving to perform job related duties.

Duties/Responsibilities: 

The Executive Director reports to the State 4-H Leader for UGA Extension and is accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of major giving prospects for focusing on soliciting major gifts, presenting proposals, making an annually established goal of face-to-face visits with donors and prospects monthly. The purpose of the meetings is to cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors for current and deferred gifts. This requires 2-3 days out of the office each week including overnight travel in and out of state and occasional weekend work. Telephone and/or correspondence preparation and follow-up necessary.
• Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fund-raising materials for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Supervise a development and stewardship team, including a business manager and database manager. Hold weekly development and bi-weekly staff meetings.
  Set individual and division fundraising goals; ensure the success of those goals by managing the staff efforts of annual giving, special events, program and project sponsorships, stewardship/alumni relations. Provide ongoing feedback to the Foundation staff team, including annual reviews. Communicate Foundation efforts and priorities to faculty and staff of Georgia 4-H.
• Coordinate and manage the efforts of the 30+ member Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. Plan and implement three annual meetings which are held in various locations throughout the state. Plan and implement 15 board committee meetings throughout the year. Communicate Georgia 4-H programmatic and capital needs and priorities on an ongoing basis. Steward each individual board member to ensure their engagement of efforts and personal giving; in addition, work with each of the members for the identification and introduction of major donor prospects.
• Attend Georgia 4-H management team and staff meetings, staff re-advance meetings, State Congress, State Council, and other 4-H related functions throughout the year.
• Serve as the liaison between Georgia 4-H and Central Development ensuring all UGA policies and procedures are followed by the college. Attend division and development staff meetings, monthly individual strategy meetings, and development and alumni meetings within UGA Development. Work collaboratively with all offices of the Development and Alumni Relations division including financial services, gift, and estate planning, regional program, etc., and development colleagues located in schools, colleges, and units across campus.
• Complete telephone/correspondence/preparation/follow-up; record visits, interactions, and plans in the giving and alumni database (GAIL) in a thorough and timely manner.
• Other duties assigned by the State 4-H Leader.

Salary and Benefits: 

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Information regarding benefits of the position can be viewed at https://hr.uga.edu/Current_Employees/Benefits/benefits/

Application Deadline: 

All materials should be submitted by January 31, 2023 for full consideration; however, screening will continue until the position is filled.  Tentative start date is on or after April 1, 2023.

Application Procedures: 

Apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/291758. The application packet should include: (1) letter of application; (2) condensed curriculum vita/resume; and (3) list of three references with contact information.

Questions should be addressed to Dr. Sue Chapman, Screening Committee Co-Chair, at [email protected]  or call 706-542-4444.

EEO Statement: 

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([email protected]).