Job Description:

Our commitment

In alignment with the LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension Service and the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development Program, the Louisiana 4-H Foundation demonstrates an unwavering commitment to youth development. By providing essential resources, scholarships, and support, the Foundation ensures that 4-H can continue its vital work, making a lasting impact on the lives of youth and paving the way for a brighter future for individuals and the entire state of Louisiana.

Who we are

The LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension Service, in collaboration with the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development Program, partners with the Louisiana 4-H Foundation to cultivate the growth and potential of young individuals. Established in 1978 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, the Executive Director, and its Board of Trustees support the state's 4-H youth. With its basal mission in mind, the Foundation has established a variety of funding sources, such as permanent endowments dedicated to scholarships and programming efforts of the Louisiana 4-H youth development program. Through the generous contributions of annual donors, the Louisiana 4-H Foundation plays a crucial role in providing annual award opportunities, event support, extension agent professional development, and leader/donor recognition. By fostering an environment of collaboration and dedication, the Foundation has amassed over 6 million dollars in assets which empowers 4-H to persist in its commitment to nurturing the growth and leadership potential of young individuals.

To garner financial and human resources, the role of Executive Director with the Louisiana 4-H Foundation involves conveying the narrative of the positive influence that Louisiana 4-H has on young individuals. The Executive Director is tasked with both fundraising and administrative responsibilities, which will be achieved through:

• Employing an Executive Director who has a proven history of not-for-profit organization fundraising, board management, and business management initiatives.
• A strong partner to the LSU Cooperative Extension Director, Associate Vice-President, and Youth Program Leader, 4-H faculty located on the campus of LSU, Camp Grant Walker, the LSU Livestock and Horse Show Office, and in the five AgCenter regions, as well as the faculty domiciled throughout the sixty-four parishes.
• Collaborating and overseeing a Board of Trustees comprised of approximately thirty individuals who represent 4-H alumni, business and industry, LSU AgCenter, 4-H volunteers, and youth. These duties include trustee recruitment, board meetings, trustee orientation, and empowerment of trustees to represent and fundraise on behalf of Louisiana 4-H.
• Working with the AgCenter Development Team, LSU AgCenter Administration, and Louisiana FFA to coordinate current and prospective donors to maximize financial support throughout the entities of the LSU AgCenter.
• Implementing donor recruitment, recognition, and stewardship programs helps increase the opportunities for current and new donors to support Louisiana 4-H.
• The oversight and training of sixty-three parish 4-H Foundations whose boards are required to submit quarterly financial reports, with between 5 to 10 being selected annually to participate in a financial audit.

What we want

The role of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Executive Director encompasses dual responsibilities as both a managerial leader and a primary fundraiser and chief development officer for the Foundation. This position operates under the direct guidance of the Associate Vice-President and Program Leader for Youth. The incumbent assumes responsibility for devising strategy, providing visionary leadership, offering guidance, ensuring coordination, and overseeing all tiers of contributions to the Foundation. This includes managing substantial and capital contributions, annual funds, stewardship initiatives, special events, endowments, estate designations, and collaboration with designated organizational staff members. Serving as a crucial link, the Executive Director acts as the intermediary between Louisiana 4-H, the LSU AgCenter Development Team, and the LSU Foundation.

In pursuit of advancing 4-H's mission and executing its programs and undertakings, the Executive Director serves as the “storyteller for Louisiana 4-H” through a strong, passionate, and dedicated commitment to 4-H and youth development collaboration. This engaged individual will work closely with the Associate Vice-President, Program Leader for Youth, the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, the State 4-H faculty, and the LSU AgCenter Livestock and Horse Show Office. Together, they formulate fundraising priorities, devise a comprehensive development strategy, implement the plan, and secure significant contributions. Within this capacity, the role entails fostering effective communication, seamless cooperation, and harmonious synchronization between Louisiana 4-H, the LSU AgCenter Development Team, LSU AgCenter Administration, Louisiana FFA, and the LSU Foundation. Additionally, the Executive Director forges productive alliances with all other programs, departments, and unit fundraising initiatives within the LSU College of Agriculture.

What you need to know

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies

The role requires adept collaboration with diverse stakeholders, a proven history of cultivating meaningful connections, and the ability to motivate others—an essential triad for success. Additional attributes include:

• Proficient people and time management skills.
• Advanced prowess in cultivating and securing donations from high-level prospects.
• Proficiency in IRS regulations governing charitable contributions and nonprofit entities.
• Autonomous, driven, and impeccably organized.
• Accomplished in supervising fund development, business, and administrative personnel.
• Skillful navigation of intricate environments and evolving priorities.
• Communication and interpersonal conduct reflect elevated standards of professionalism, accountability, and ethics.
• Effective interaction with various leadership spheres, including State 4-H Office faculty, LSU College of Agriculture members, the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, colleagues within LSU AgCenter Administration, the LSU AgCenter Development Office, Louisiana FFA, National 4-H Council, and the national network of State 4-H Foundations Executive Directors.
• Willingness to work extended hours exceeding eight hours, frequent evenings, and weekends, including in-state travel. Occasional out-of-state trips are anticipated for conferences and prospective donor visits, requiring driving as part of job-related tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director reports to the Associate Vice-President and Program Leader for Youth and holds responsibility for the following key areas:

• Oversee a portfolio of major giving prospects, focusing on soliciting significant donations, which involves presenting proposals and aiming for a monthly goal of face-to-face meetings with donors and prospects. The purpose of these interactions is to foster relationships, seek donations, and manage ongoing stewardship. This role requires 2-3 days outside the office each week, including overnight travel both in and out of state, and occasional weekend commitments. Correspondence preparation and follow-up are also essential.
• Develop timely, accurate, and pertinent proposals, presentations, and fundraising materials for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Collaborate closely with a designated team, including a business coordinator. Conduct bi-weekly development meetings and staff updates.
• Establish individual and divisional fundraising targets; ensure their achievement by supervising staff efforts in annual giving, special events, program and project sponsorships, and alumni relations. Offer continual feedback to the Foundation Board of Trustees, including annual evaluations. Communicate Foundation priorities and initiatives to Louisiana 4-H faculty and staff.
• Coordinate and oversee the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, comprising over 30 members. Plan and execute four annual meetings held in various locations across the state. Organize board committee meetings throughout the year. Sustain communication on ongoing Louisiana 4-H programmatic and capital needs and priorities. Engage with each board member to ensure their active participation and personal contributions while also collaborating to identify and introduce major donor prospects.
• Attend Louisiana 4-H management team and staff meetings, events such as 4-H University, Scholarship Banquets, Hall of Fame, Livestock Show, and other 4-H-related functions throughout the year.
• Serve as the intermediary between Louisiana 4-H and the LSU Foundation, ensuring adherence to LSU policies and procedures by the Foundation. Attend division and development staff meetings, participate in monthly individual strategy discussions, and engage in development and alumni meetings within LSU Development. Collaborate harmoniously with various offices of the LSU Foundation, including financial services, gift and estate planning, regional programs, and others. Also, collaborate with development colleagues situated in schools, colleges, and units across the campus.
• Maintain thorough and timely records of telephone conversations, correspondence, preparation, follow-up, visits, interactions, and plans within the giving and alumni database.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice-President and Program Leader for Youth.

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline.
• A minimum five years of proven success in the field of not-for-profit fundraising, board management, and financial management.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year, typically includes a week off at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System.Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Conditions of employment: A personal automobile with appropriate insurance coverage is required (travel allowance provided).

Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process

Application deadline: October 31, 2023, or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Application procedure Qualified candidates must apply online at LSU AgCenter Careers (or through Workday for internal applicants) by attaching a cover letter with a resume, including a statement of professional interest and goals, official university transcripts, and two letters of reference. Paper, faxed, or e-mailed application materials will not be accepted, except that in lieu of attaching the reference letters online, they may be sent directly to:

Dr. Toby L. Lepley
Associate Vice-President and Program Leader for Youth
Email: tlepley@agcenter.lsu.edu
Phone: 979-229-8736
Web site: AgCenter website

The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and applications will be accepted without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Information on Equal Employment can be obtained from the EEO and Civil Rights Coordinator, 103 J. Norman Efferson Hall, LSUAgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Phone 225.578.2258. It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service to employ only United States citizens or aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.