Ballinger|Leafblad is proud to present the following information on behalf of our client, the

Initiative Foundation and a retained search for the Vice President, Program Strategy and
Evaluation.

Presents.
Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

www.ifound.org

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The Initiative Foundation

Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

PRESENTING OUR CLIENTINITIATIVE FOUNDATION

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Initiative Foundation is an independent, nonprofit philanthropic organization. Formed in
1986 by a partnership of regional leaders and The McKnight Foundation, the Initiative
Foundation is one of six Minnesota Initiative Foundations serving Greater Minnesota. These
Minnesota Initiative Foundations were created to respond the widespread financial
hardships, high unemployment, and shifting rural economies that severely impacted the
farming and mining industries in the 1980s.
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 state in the country has a similar foundation network that
unites community and economic development.
The Initiative Foundation serves the 14 counties of Central Minnesota, with its more than 160
communities, 12,000 square miles and 700,000 residents. The region is diverse in its
population, environment and economy. It includes 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.
Trustees and leadership of The Initiative Foundation think
strategically about the work of the organization. Currently in a
2012-2016 strategic plan, there is active work right now on the
development of a 2017-2019 Strategic Framework.
The Initiative Foundation accomplishes results through
activities and programs in the categories of Economy,
Community and Philanthropy:
ECONOMY--The Initiative Foundation combines targeted business financing and consulting
services to help leverage private investment and create living-wage employment in the
region. This is accomplished through the following programs:
Business Financing
Entrepreneur Consulting & Training
Exporting Initiative
Workforce Development
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The Initiative Foundation

Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

COMMUNITY--Strong public-private partnerships help to sustain and grow local businesses,

provide a skilled workforce, create quality jobs, support children and families, and provide
an environment that helps attract and retain quality jobs and workers. These goals are
accomplished through the following activities and programs:

Innovation Fund Grants

Thriving Communities Initiative
Healthy Lakes & Rivers Partnership
Other Community Initiatives including the Thriving Organization Partnership and
early childhood dental programs

PHILANTHROPY--Each year, more than 2,000 donors support the Initiative Foundation's
mission to build and sustain thriving communities in Central Minnesota through
endowments, donations and designated giving programs. This support is essential to the
success of the Foundation.
The Initiative Foundation is proud of the following contributions it has made to the region:

$46 Million invested in 932 locally owned businesses

$290 Million leveraged in private investment
$9.6 Million held in 75 hosted funds
$28 Million awarded through 4,626 grants
7,200 community leaders trained
$694,000 awarded through scholarships

MISSION STATEMENT
TO UNLOCK THE POWER OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA
PEOPLE TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN THRIVING COMMUNITIES

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
The culture at the Initiative Foundation can be described as ever-changing t0 meet
community needs, entrepreneurial, broadly focused, collegial, development-oriented,
mission-driven and hard working.
Intellectually-curious people who want to make a difference in the region will fit best in this
culture. Those who like to work across functions to find collaborative solutions are
welcomed; siloes are not.

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The Initiative Foundation

Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

Staff at the Initiative Foundation love Central Minnesota. They see the beauty and assets of
the region and they are committed to using their talents to make a difference in the area.

PRESENTING THE POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAM STRATEGY & EVALUATION

Reporting to the President, the Vice President of Program Strategy & Evaluation is
responsible for leading a wide range of strategic and organizational development activities
including development and evaluation of the Foundations programs and services; annual
work planning and strategic planning for the Foundation; capacity-building and grant making
for non-profit organizations; and oversight of grant development activities.
Direct reports to the Vice President are Senior Program Manager for Organizational
Development, Programs Specialist for Organizational Development, Program Assistant for
Organizational Development and Grants Specialist.
The Vice President works with other Leadership Team members to provide overall
leadership-level support to the Foundation and its staff members. This is a broad role,
working in strategy, organizational development, programs, and with a variety of external
partners and stakeholders.
He or she will maintain significant relationships with the Initiative Foundation Board of
Trustees and many other types of external partners and stakeholders.
THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE:
Specific areas of responsibility and accountability include:
Strategic Planning
With the President and Board of Trustees, lead the design and development of the
organizations strategic planning process.
Oversee and coordinate strategic planning activities with the Governance
Committee, strategic planning consultants, staff, and external stakeholders.
Monitor ongoing implementation of the organizations strategic plan.
External and Internal Leadership
Provide leadership across teams and work groups at the Initiative Foundation.
Plan, lead and integrate cross-functional work and projects within the Foundation.
Be active in the region, representing the Foundation to a variety of external groups.
Speak at conferences and other events on issues related to the work at the Initiative
Foundation.
Serve on regional and national boards and committee; bring back learnings from
those organizations and apply them where appropriate, at the Foundation.
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The Initiative Foundation

Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

Non-Profit Organization Development

Oversee the Thriving Organizations Partnership (TOP) programs, including Financial
Resiliency through Social Enterprise (FRSE), Leaders Circle, VISTA, Open Office Hours
and online learning (ifoundtraining.org).
Deliver or manage technical assistance and training to various nonprofit staff, board
and volunteers.
Work in partnership with other capacity building organizations across the state to
increase the effectiveness of the nonprofit sector in the Foundations region.
Evaluation
Design and maintain the organizations dashboard of goals, objectives and results.
Share and present this information to the board of trustees and the leadership team.
Work with external evaluator to design and carry out an outcome-based evaluation
plan that captures the impact of the Foundations work toward achieving its mission.
Work across the organization to create appropriate evaluation tools, gather
necessary impact data and convey impact information to external stakeholders.
Program and Fund Development
Work with the Grants Specialist and across teams to clarify and refine core program
areas and develop strategic partnerships for the Foundation.
Work with the Grants Specialist and provide direction to the Grants Specialist in
prepare high potential funding proposals.
New Program Development and Collaboration
Design and develop programs, as needed, to meet the changing needs in the region.
Collaborate with the leadership team at the Foundation to assure that functions and
departments work together to offer highest quality programs.
Work across the organization to bring best practices to program management
throughout the organization.
Leadership of Staff
Provide coaching, guidance and recognition for staff.
Assist with the recruitment, interview and selection process of staff who have the
right skills and personal abilities to help further the organization's mission.
Implement a performance management process for staff which includes monitoring
performance on an ongoing basis, providing regular feedback, and conducting an
annual performance review.
Hire, coach and provide feedback to contract evaluators and planning consultants.
Uphold the values of the organization and display ethical behaviors which set an
example for internal staff and external stakeholders.

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The Initiative Foundation

Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate for this position is a seasoned and aspirational professional who has a
strong background in the public, philanthropy, non-profit and/or business sector and who
has a passion for serving communities. A minimum of seven to ten years of progressively
increasing leadership experience is required.
This is a sophisticated role with preferable experience to include: strategic planning, rural
community development, capacity building, leadership training & development, 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
bachelors degree is required and an advanced degree is preferred.
The following qualities would be exemplified by the ideal candidate:

Credibility: The candidates knowledge base or experience will be meaningful and will
have credibility with the organizations stakeholders.
Verbal Communication: The candidate should have demonstrated experience with
public speaking, giving effective presentations, and able 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 training
materials, grants, strategic planning information.
High level of cultural competency: Respect, interest and demonstrated leadership
related to diversity and inclusiveness, and experience building community-based
partnerships
Leadership: Ability to develop and lead a superior performing, collaborative team
that strives for excellence and a passion and commitment to delivering the highest
quality services to the region. It is critical that the candidate be able to create
consensus and engage diverse groups who work toward common goals.
Project Management skills: Experience leading and managing complex projects,
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.

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The Initiative Foundation

Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

Additional desired personal attributes desired include:

Interest and commitment to ongoing professional growth and development; an
aspiration to continued career contributions
Passion for rural community development
A connection, knowledge and understanding of Central Minnesota and/or sincere
interest in and commitment to learning about the culture and assimilating in the
Central Region of Minnesota
Impeccable judgment, discretion, confidentiality, diplomacy and patience
Positive orientation: strong bias for making positive changes, can-do attitude, focus
on specific, meaningful goals
A sense of personal accountability
Hard working and well organized
A strong desire to innovate and look for continuous improvement
Preference for transparent, collaborative management style
Exceptional communication and relationship skills with a range of stakeholders
Cross-cultural sensitivity and fluency

PRESENTING BEAUTIFUL CENTRAL MINNESOTA

The Initiative Foundation serves the Central Minnesota region. Beautiful lakes, streams,
parks and forests make this a wonderland of natural attractions. Prominent industries of
the area 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% of residents have at least some college experience which is above both the state
and national averages. Colleges and universities such as St. Cloud State University, Leech
Lake Tribal College, Saint Johns University/The College of Saint Benedict and five
community colleges are indicative of the areas ample opportunities for continuing
education and training.

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The Initiative Foundation

Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

The biggest city in the Initiative Foundations region is St. Cloud, which is the states fourth
largest metropolitan area. A bustling college town with a vibrant downtown area, St.
Clouds 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, Minnesota is nestled in the Lakes Country and is one of

the most popular vacation areas in the state. Hiking, camping,
boating, fishing, golf, biking (including the renowned Minnesota
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 Minnesotas premier vacation destination.
The headquarters of The Initiative Foundation is located in Little Falls, a community of
approximately 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.

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The Initiative Foundation

Vice President, Program Strategy & Evaluation

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 in Central Minnesota!
COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
The compensation package is competitive and includes participation in the organizations
comprehensive benefits plan.

BALLINGER|LEAFBLAD WELCOMES YOU CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Marcia Ballinger, PhD

Co-Founder
651-341-4840
marcia@ballingerleafblad.com

Lars Leafblad, MBA

Co-Founder
612-598-7547
lars@ballingerleafblad.com

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Initiative Foundation is an
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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