Presents President of the Initiative Foundation Ballinger Leafblad is proud to present the following information on behalf of our client, the Initiative Foundation, in its search for President. ifound.org ballingerleafblad.com PRESENTING OUR CLIENT: 1
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION ~ The mission of the Initiative Foundation is to empower people to build thriving communities and a vibrant region across Central Minnesota. For 30 years this regional foundation has been powering possible by Convening people and organizations to advance economic and community opportunities Providing strategic funding in the form of grants to nonprofits and loans and investments to businesses that secure essential services and create quality jobs Building the expertise and capacity of local people through technical assistance and training Delivering a range of philanthropic services to help donors and funding partners invest in their communities. The Initiative Foundation was formed in 1986 during a time when Minnesota faced widespread financial hardships, high unemployment and shifting rural economies, severely impacting the farming, forestry and mining industries. A partnership of regional leaders and The McKnight Foundation created the Initiative Foundation as one of six Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs) serving Greater Minnesota. The MIFs are independent and responsive to local needs and opportunities; each foundation was created to strengthen its regional economy and communities. The MIF partners share ideas while investing in business loans, nonprofit grants, programs and donor services. The MIF model is unique to Minnesota. No other U.S. state has a similar foundation network that unites community and economic development. The Initiative Foundation is proud to serve the 14 counties of Central Minnesota, with its more than 12,000 square miles and 700,000 residents. The region is diverse in its population, environment and economy. The Foundation serves the St. Cloud area and Twin Cities metro ring counties, as well as the Brainerd Lakes area, two tribal nations and the rural countryside. Each hometown has its own unique character and local assets. 2
Since inception, the Initiative Foundation has awarded $31.1 million in grants and has provided 980 loans totaling $50 million, which have leveraged$300 million in private business investment. The collective business financing activity has helped to create or retain 12,800 jobs. Through its programs and initiatives the Foundation has provided capacity-building training to more than 8,200 Central Minnesotans. Initiative Quarterly magazine has been published by the Foundation since 2002, reaching 14,000 subscribers by mail with high pass-along readership and a robust online following. The Foundation is funded through a range of private and public grants including an ongoing partnership with The McKnight Foundation. Additional program support and endowment donations come from corporations, local businesses, cities and counties, financial institutions, utilities and individuals. Total assets exceed $62 million, including a $45 million endowment and a $13 million revolving loan fund. (See the Foundation s recent annual report for details.) The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of 13-15, and its 26-member professional staff bases out of the Little Falls office and a St. Cloud satellite office. The Foundation is certified by the U.S. Treasury Department as a Community Development Financing Institution (CDFI) and proudly bears certification from the U.S. Small Business Administration as a Community Advantage Lender. The Foundation meets the rigorous national standards established by the Council on Foundations, has attained the highest four-star rating on financial health, accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator, and is recognized for meeting standards for Accountability and Openness through the Minnesota Charities Review Council. Annual audits have been stellar since inception. 3
ECONOMY ~ COMMUNITY ~ PHILANTHROPY The Foundation s strategic framework is based on the philosophy that the economy, community and philanthropy are interconnected. Gains or losses in one area can either propel or restrain prosperity. The Foundation's initiatives and investments are intended to have maximum impact on the system, unlocking the power of each community. Community assets drive local business growth. Business growth attracts new revenue and creates quality jobs. Revenue provides fuel for local philanthropy, which helps to fund community assets. The Foundation s new strategic plan will serve as a roadmap for 2017-2019. It includes 23 core strategies and program initiatives which will advance 28 measurable impacts and are framed through eight strategic inquiries, asking how do we 1. Support and grow existing for-profit and nonprofit businesses? 2. Support new entrepreneurs and the start-up of business and social enterprises? 3. Improve the economic status of financially disadvantaged people? 4. Enhance kindergarten readiness for children, ages 1-5, living in poverty? 5. Cultivate the next generation of leaders, ages 40 & under, working and living in our region? 6. Utilize technology to increase impact and income? 7. Increase contributions from individuals and businesses? 8. Enhance awareness of the organization s impact to new audiences? 4
PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES ~ Economic and Workforce Development Along with its CDFI status, the Foundation holds a special IRS ruling recognizing business financing as a charitable activity with an emphasis on securing quality jobs in low-income rural communities. Through a range of lending products the Foundation provides about $3 million a year in gap financing annually that reduces risk for conventional lenders, leverages private investment and secures local business ownership and quality employment. A recent example includes a finance project for a startup business in Hanover, located in Wright County. These investments are enhanced through the Foundation s business technical assistance program, which provides cost-share dollars to help companies address issues or expansion plans and workforce development support. Critical to program success is the Foundation s long-standing partnership with local economic development organizations, cities and counties that receive grants to advance local strategies. The Foundation is exploring ways to deploy more of its resources toward impact investments. Demographically, the Foundation s service region is the fastest-growing in Greater Minnesota. The development, attraction and retention of new leaders, entrepreneurs Lending and technical assistance programs help businesses and organizations thrive. To date, the Initiative Foundation has partnered on nearly 1,000 loans that have injected $50 million into the Central Minnesota economy, leveraging another $300 million in private lending. and a skilled workforce is essential to fuel economic vitality. New initiatives to respond to this challenge include expanded lending to nonprofit social enterprises; the launch of an Initiators Fellowship Program to support emerging entrepreneurs; organizing a project for new immigrant entrepreneurs in the St. Cloud area; and a variety of targeted workforce development initiatives. The Initiative Foundation believes a skilled workforce is essential to the well-being of Central Minnesota. Even as the region recovers from a recession, many employers report future growth may be limited by lack of access to qualified workers. Community and Organizational Development The Foundation recognizes that its primary resources are local people who are willing to invest their time, talent and assets to build and sustain strong communities, nonprofits and businesses. Powering Possible is the Foundation s tagline for encouraging innovation and creativity combined with a strong work ethic and common sense in solving the next opportunity or challenge whether on the production line, at City Hall, or with respect to region-wide trends and issues. To build the capacity of people and the organizations it serves, the Foundation provides a combination of leadership training, technical assistance, resource referral and grants to help teams of local people develop and carry out action plans that improve their community or organization. Some of the specific programs which use this four-prong approach to build capacity include: 5
The Foundation s Thriving Communities Initiative (TCI) is designed to inspire good ideas in community and economic development, focusing on those communities that want to attract and retain skilled workers and young families. The Thriving Communities Initiative works with three to five teams per year to identify unique community assets, goals and challenges. With the results, these leadership teams guide their communities in the implementation of a locally shared vision and plan of action. TCI provides Central Minnesota community leaders with customized training and consulting, strategic In Designing Change, IQ Magazine showcases the TCI program and the community-based results that are being achieved in Princeton. communications, peer connections and implementation grants. The TCI model occasionally is adapted for special circumstances, such as the Foundation s ongoing St. Cloud Neighborhoods initiative, its six-year partnership with local funders for the Greater St. Cloud Community Pillars initiative and disaster response assistance. The Financial Resiliency through Social Enterprise (FRSE) program is designed for well-established nonprofit organizations. Participating organizations receive a combination of training, technical assistance, professional consultation and first-year planning grants of up to $10,000. Developed in partnership with the Nonprofits Assistance Fund and other professional partners, the FRSE program supports six to eight Central Minnesota s nonprofits per year in exploring how social enterprise opportunities might help them better meet mission outcomes and diversify revenue sources. Some enterprises also receive financing from the Read Profiting the Community to learn how nonprofits are enhancing their missions through the creation of for-profit ventures. Foundation to launch their endeavors. Additional support for nonprofits includes grants for eligible projects, access to the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program (administered by the Foundation), online learning and other resources. The Foundation has been part of a statewide MIF Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) since 2003. The ECI works with citizen-based coalitions to ensure young children, especially in geographically isolated and underserved communities, are ready for lifelong learning success. The Foundation provides facilitation and grants to 14 local groups to support school readiness and healthy social and emotional development of young children and their families. It also works to improve alignment of children s learning opportunities from early care and education settings to early elementary schools so that children 0-5 have the tools they need for success in school and in life. Read Books for Every Child, an IQ Magazine story about the support and service that is being delivered to nurture the love of reading. The Foundation s Early Childhood Dental Network is increasing awareness about tooth decay in children and working with partners to address this critical barrier to early childhood learning and development. Initiatives include Cavity-Free by Three in Mille Lacs County and workforce training for 6
diverse dental assistants and hygienists at Central Lakes College in Brainerd and St. Cloud Community and Technical College. The Emerging Leaders program connects the next generation of leaders with opportunities to engage at work and in the community through customized workshops and mentoring support. Nearly 40 alumni graduated from the first round of training in spring 2016 and have been offered scholarships to attend a new series of three Foundation-hosted workshops focusing on Paths to Civic Engagement, which explores options and Explore A Root Issue, an IQ Magazine story that examines early oral care obstacles and the community-based solutions that are being pursued. develops skills for those interested in serving their communities as staff or in elected or appointed positions in local government. The 2 nd Quarter edition of IQ Magazine shines a spotlight on four emerging leaders who are embracing the rewards of community and public service. The Foundation has a longstanding history of working with volunteer teams from lakes and rivers associations to address water quality issues. The Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program is currently hosting a $4 million grant from the Legislature to support innovations to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species in Minnesota. Philanthropy All of the Foundation s activities depend on engaged citizens giving of their time, talent and resources to strengthen the region. Financial support from a range of donors, sponsors, advertisers and participant fees help to leverage grants from The McKnight Foundation and other foundation partners, state and federal resources and corporate investors. Multi-year pledges are secured through general endowment campaigns, program sponsorship opportunities and estate or planned gifts. Three-year targets exceed $1 million in new endowment gifts, $7.5 million in grants and more than $1 million in designated Turn Key Partner Fund giving. In A Healthy Gift, longtime Initiative Foundation supporter Don Engen explains how the Lakes Area Medical Development Association s endowment donation and its establishment of a field-of-interest fund will continue to support health and wellness in Central Minnesota for years to come. For those who wish to simplify giving or fundraising, the Initiative Foundation hosts an array of charitable Turn Key Partner Funds. Creating a fund is an attractive alternative to starting a family foundation or nonprofit organization, which requires many administrative and legal responsibilities. Its turnkey approach allows donors to enjoy the rewards of giving without these burdens. The Foundation provides tax-deductible donation and grants administration, investment management, gift processing, marketing assistance and consulting services. 7
PRESENTING THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT ~ THE ROLE Position Summary: The President serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation and reports to the Board of Trustees. The President provides dynamic leadership and management for the organization, facilitates strategic planning and evaluation, supervises all programs and operations, and serves as the primary representative with external audiences. The President has five direct reports: a chief operating officer/chief financial officer and treasurer; a vice president for economic and business development; a vice president for community and workforce development; a vice president for external relations; an executive and human resources administrator. Twenty three additional staff members comprise the remainder of the Initiative Foundation team. Strategic Leadership and Direction Leads the development of strategic goals and annual work plans and budgets that advance the mission of the Foundation while ensuring long-term organizational health. This position manages the organization toward achievement of established goals and guides review and adjustment of plans in view of environmental factors, resources, needs and opportunities. The President drives annual planning, monitors budgets and assures proper evaluation and reporting. Vision The President is the Keeper of the Vision and constantly tracks trends in the fields of philanthropy and economic development to determine what fits for the organization and when and how to advance ideas and questions. They encourage and nurture a culture of innovation and idea generation, balanced with the assurance and realities of adequate resources and infrastructure. Asset Development and Investment Management Develops and maintains a diversified funding base to grow the organization and secure its long-term financial health; advances new program and funding partnerships on a state and national level; actively leads endowment campaigns; develops impact investment opportunities; and supports expansion of estate planning and component fund services. In accordance with board policies, the position oversees investment portfolios, protects the Foundation s position on business investments and assures appropriate care for physical assets. The President is expected to take initiative to maintain diverse revenue streams and to develop a sustainable, long-view plan for grant funders and legislative relationships, while directly linking those relationships to program development and trends. Partnerships The President maintains positive and proactive relationships with a wide range of local, state and national partners that help to advance emerging strategies, co-create new initiatives and provide financial support while remaining non-partisan and open to a wide range of perspectives. He or she drives and encourages endowment building; maintains/pursues key donor relationships; assures strong volunteer, staff and consultant support for investment management; and stays abreast of policy and economic issues, asking critical questions and triggering change when needed. 8
Regional Visibility and External Relations Advances brand recognition for the organization and actively pursues and strengthens relationships crucial to the Foundation. Serves as the chief spokesperson for the organization and its activities and frequently and consistently communicates the vision and mission of the organization (and the region) by speaking at conferences, hosting events and participating in regional, statewide and national organizations aligned with the Foundation s mission. Management and Operations Leads, recruits and develops the management team, oversees operational and financial aspects of the Foundation, including program execution, management of human resources, and accounting, compliance and audit functions. Promotes an organizational culture that fosters initiative, accountability, personal and collective growth, and upholds the highest level of organizational integrity. Board Leadership and Engagement Serves as lead staff to the Board of Trustees, participates in board and board committee meetings, assists with board development and recruitment and facilitates policy development and monitoring. The President also assists the Board Chair with matters of board governance; development of board agendas and preparation of high-quality materials; prioritizes relationships with trustees (and prospective trustees) and finds ways to creatively engage and use their gifts. QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS ~ The ideal candidate for this position is a seasoned leader of stature who has a strong background in the philanthropic, nonprofit, economic development and/or business sector and has a passion for serving communities. Successful leadership of an organization of similar size and scope is desired. This is a senior management role and requires the ability to work well with multiple stakeholders from trustees to grantees to community members. Preferable work experience will include: strategic planning; rural community and economic development; capacity building; leadership training and development; impact investing and philanthropy; program design and development; civic engagement and governance; and project management. Alternately, we will consider candidates who have related experience in the for-profit sector but who have significant volunteer experience in community and nonprofit boards. A bachelor s degree is required and an advanced degree is preferred. The following qualities would be exemplified by the ideal candidate: Credibility: The candidate s knowledge base or experience will be meaningful and will have credibility with the organization s stakeholders. Verbal communication: The candidate should have demonstrated experience with public speaking, giving effective presentations and possess the ability to skillfully facilitate learning events and group interactions. Written communication: Excellent written communication abilities will be highly valued, including abilities to write for a variety of settings including publications, training materials, grants and strategic planning information. 9
High level of cultural competency: Respect, interest and demonstrated leadership related to diversity and inclusiveness and experience building community-based partnerships are essential attributes. Leadership: Ability to develop and lead a superior-performing, collaborative team that strives for excellence and demonstrates a passion and commitment to delivering the highest quality services to the region. It is critical that the candidate be able to build consensus and engage diverse groups who work toward common goals. Management skills: Experience leading and managing complex organizations, collaborative efforts and community initiatives. Includes strategic planning, Board of Trustees interaction, organizational development and leadership, marketing, program and grants management. It is highly desired that the candidate has operations experience in a complex and dynamic organization with demonstrated acumen including the ability to use data as an aid in problem-solving. Personal attributes: Strong interpersonal competencies as evidenced by a professional and enthusiastic but genuine demeanor, effective one-to-one and group communication skills, a capacity to build/ maintain respectful, trusting relationships with constituents, and an ability to listen yet effectively negotiate and persuade. High ethical standards and integrity with ability to earn the respect of others. Technological literacy: Ability to navigate in routine technologies including Microsoft Office Suite, databases, Google documents, Skype, and other similar tools is critical for managing the workload associated with this position. Experience with social media to engage and communicate with community stakeholders is important. Additional desired personal attributes desired include: A connection, knowledge and understanding of history, current issues and culture in Central Minnesota and/or sincere interest in learning about the region. A sense of personal accountability. A strong desire to innovate and look for continuous improvement. Cross-cultural competency. Exceptional communication and relationship skills with a range of stakeholders. Hard working and well organized. Impeccable judgment, discretion, confidentiality, diplomacy and patience. Interest and commitment to ongoing professional growth and development; an aspiration toward learning and development for self and others Outstanding executive presence and decorum. Passion for rural community development. Positive orientation: strong bias for making positive changes, can-do attitude, focus on setting and achieving goals. Preference for transparent, collaborative management style. COMPENSATION ~ The compensation package will be commensurate with experience and will include an executive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package. 10
PRESENTING BEAUTIFUL CENTRAL MINNESOTA ~ The Initiative Foundation serves the Central Minnesota region. Beautiful lakes, streams, parks and forests make this a wonderland of natural and recreational attractions. Prominent industries include agriculture, manufacturing and service industries, construction, mining and paper. Tourism is a major industry, reflective of the bounty of scenic sites and activities for visitors. Nearly 80 percent of residents have at least some college experience, which is above both state and national averages. Colleges and universities such as St. Cloud State University, Leech Lake Tribal College, Saint John s University/The College of Saint Benedict and six community and/or technical colleges (Brainerd, Cambridge, Pine City, St. Cloud, Staples and Wadena) are indicative of the area s ample opportunities for continuing education and training. The biggest city in the Initiative Foundation s region is St. Cloud, which is the state s fourth largest metropolitan area. A bustling college town with a vibrant downtown area, St. Cloud s natural landscape includes the Beaver Islands, a stretch of 30 undeveloped islands that are part of a 12-mile stretch of wild and scenic riverscapes. The city maintains 95 parks and is a regional transportation hub. Brainerd is situated in Lakes Country and is one of the most popular vacation areas in the state. Hiking, camping, boating, fishing, golf, biking (including the renowned Cuyuna Range Mountain Biking Trails), adventure sports, museum-hopping, historic sites, shopping and the popular Brainerd International Raceway are a few of the many attractions that draw visitors from all over and the label Minnesota s premier vacation destination. Brainerd International Raceway hosts popular drag and Trans Am Series racing. 11
The headquarters of The Initiative Foundation is located in Little Falls, a community of about 8,500 residents located on the banks of the Mississippi River. The Historic Downtown includes the Great River Arts Center featuring the extraordinary talents of local artists. The Linden Hill Conference and Retreat Center, Lindbergh State Park and childhood home of local hero Charles A. Lindbergh are popular places to visit. Other sites of interest, rich with local history, are the Minnesota Fishing Museum, the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Museum, Camp Ripley and the Minnesota Military Museum. All manner of outdoor activities await just outside the door of the Initiative Foundation. Relax at the scenic Little Falls Country Club along the Mississippi River or enjoy a tour of the wildly populated Pine Grove Zoo. The region is home to the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Lake Bands of Ojibwe tribal communities and includes several communities that are hubs for immigrants and refugee resettlement. Greater St. Cloud, for example, is home to about 10,000 people born in East Africa, and people of color are the fastest growing demographic in the 14 counties. The active lifestyle of Central Minnesota residents doesn't lie dormant during the winter. There are cross-country skiing trails, downhill ski areas, ice skating, snowmobile riding, sledding and, of course, ice fishing. This versatile region offers natural wonders, a range of interesting communities and access to rich cultural activities. These and many other reasons are why the Initiative Foundation is so proud to serve Central Minnesota. The Vasaloppet in Mora is one of the nation s premier cross-country ski racing events. BALLINGER LEAFBLAD WELCOMES YOU TO CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION: Lars Leafblad, MBA Marcia Ballinger, PhD Co-Founder/Principal Co-Founder/Principal (612) 598-7547 (651) 341-4840 lars@ballingerleafblad.com marcia@ballingerleafblad.com The Initiative Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and believes each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, religious beliefs, or disability. The right of equal employment opportunity extends to recruiting, hiring selection, transfer, promotion, training and all other conditions of employment. 12