About The Center on Rural Innovation
The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that partners with rural leaders across the country to build tech economies that support scalable entrepreneurship and lead to more tech jobs in rural America. Our mission is to create opportunities that empower rural people to thrive in the tech economy.
Established in 2017, CORI is at the heart of a dynamic social enterprise focused on closing the rural economic opportunity gap. The organization also works closely with a taxable nonprofit, Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. (RISI), and a seed fund, CORI Innovation Fund (CIF), focused on early-stage technology companies located in rural areas. The overall annual budget for the social enterprise is $6M+.
As a national nonprofit, CORI uses data-driven research, partnerships, programming, and investment to support and connect rural leaders as they build inclusive tech ecosystems in rural America. CORI’s Rural Innovation Networkis a growing community of practice comprising 39 member communities across 23 states and offers rural leaders access to a first-of-its-kind opportunity to collaborate with peers across the country to advance their tech economies. In addition, CORI makes direct seed-stage investments in rural technology startups through the CORI Innovation Fund. Finally, CORI produces original research and storytelling that offers actionable insights, analysis, and recommendations to address the economic challenges and opportunities facing rural America.
Per our most recent Impact Report released in the Spring of 2024, in 2023, CORI worked directly with 57 communities in 33 states to build and fund their tech ecosystems. It helped almost 200 rural learners gain skills to advance their tech careers, published research on rural issues that reached more than 30,000 readers, and invested in rural tech startups that raised $26 million in follow-on funding.
Position Summary
The Center on Rural Innovation is seeking an entrepreneurial development professional passionate about rural America, social enterprise, and advancing inclusive economic opportunity. The Director of Development reports to the Founder + Executive Director and has primary responsibility for driving philanthropic support and achieving related revenue goals. This is a unique opportunity to be a key leader driving our mission.
Over the next three years, we are focused on growing our organization to bring tech jobs and scalable startups to over 90 regions, representing 20% of the US rural population. To achieve that goal, we need to increase our philanthropic support from $3.8M to over $10M per year from individuals, foundations, and corporations. We are seeking a Director of Development who is excited to accelerate our growth as a national organization to meet this ambitious goal.
Key success factors for this position include:
An ambitious, proactive executive with a growth mindset and a high level of personal ownership. Sleeves rolled up and “no task too big or too small” mindset.
Energized by the dynamic structure, fast pace, and entrepreneurial culture of an innovative social enterprise.
Skilled working across multiple funding communities, including visionary entrepreneurs (e.g., LinkedIn’s Co-Founder, Reid Hoffman, provided initial financial support), corporations (e.g., Alphabet, Cisco, Land O' Lakes, Meta), and charitable foundations (e.g., Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment, and Walton Family Foundation).
Growing capacity through individual and board giving.
Passion for rural places and people, a belief in the potential of tech-based economic development to transform rural communities, and interest in supporting venture-backed startups as a lever for economic equity.
Key Responsibilities
The Director of Development will:
Lead + Strategize: Drive CORI’s foundation, corporate, and major donor fundraising efforts while contributing to federal and state grant-seeking. Develop a comprehensive development strategy to achieve CORI’s ambitious goal of expanding to 90 communities in the Network and $10M in annual philanthropy.
Manage + Supervise: Oversee and mentor a development team, fostering a collaborative environment that supports professional growth and ensures the team’s success in meeting organizational goals. Assign responsibilities, provide guidance, and monitor performance to maintain high standards of excellence.
Cultivate Relationships: Working with the Board of Directors to build and steward new relationships with funders, including foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors.
Manage Complex Funding Streams: Secure funding from diverse sources, match funding to specific community initiatives, and secure matches for federal grant applications.
Communicate the Mission: Effectively articulate CORI’s mission to create opportunities that empower rural communities to thrive in the tech economy. This involves presenting a compelling case to a diverse range of stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of rural economic equity and the transformative potential of venture-backed startups and technology jobs in driving sustainable growth.
Collaborate + Innovate: Work closely with CORI leadership and teams to identify evolving funding opportunities. Design systems to streamline fundraising processes, facilitate program design, and enhance operational efficiency.
Promote Operational Excellence + Capacity Building: Develop grant proposals, program budgets, and funding applications in alignment with organizational goals. Support Rural Innovation Network Communities in building their fundraising capacity to sustain and grow their economic development efforts.
Qualifications
At least seven (7) years of senior fundraising experience for a rapid-growth nonprofit or social enterprise, with a track record of success in corporate, foundation, and individual donor cultivation. Experience working with high-net-worth individuals is preferred. Experience fundraising for research initiatives is preferred.
Experience managing and supervising a development team, with demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to inspire and guide team members to achieve organizational objectives.
Experience managing and leveraging multiple funding streams, including corporate sponsorships, philanthropy, and government grants.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling cases for support and engage a wide variety of stakeholders.
Passion for rural communities, with a nuanced understanding of their unique challenges and opportunities beyond stereotypical perceptions.
Entrepreneurial mindset, capable of navigating a fast-paced, collaborative environment with creativity and ambition.
Experience leading fundraising strategies and initiatives for a rapid-growth nonprofit or social enterprise is highly preferred.
Proficiency in program design, proposal development, and budgeting.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Reporting Relationships
The Director of Development reports to the Founder + Executive Director and has supervisory responsibility for two direct reports: the Grants Manager and Development Operations + Research Manager.
Compensation + Benefits
The salary range for the role is $120,000 to $140,000, depending on experience. This is a full-time, hybrid position with the following added benefits:
Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance, and 5% employer-matched 401(k).
5.5 weeks of combined paid time off.
Relocation assistance for candidates moving to the Dartmouth College region.
Professional development opportunities and a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture.
As a reflection of our firm’s commitment to equity and equal pay for all, Cooper Coleman requires that salary ranges or salary starting points be published for every search we conduct. The practice of not posting salaries perpetuates the gender and racial wage gap and discriminates against women, people of color, and other historically excluded populations by causing individuals to negotiate from a disadvantaged starting point.
Location + Travel
This role is based in Hartland, Vermont, and requires in-office collaboration three days a week. The Dartmouth College region offers an excellent quality of life, strong K-12 educational opportunities, and vibrant cultural amenities. Relocation assistance is available for candidates moving to the area.
The position will require about 15-20% travel, including all-staff retreats, donor meetings, and professional conferences.
About Hartland, Vermont + the Upper Valley Region
The Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire is located on the Connecticut River, with the majestic White Mountains to the east and the spectacular Green Mountains to the west. The region is frequently selected as one of the best places to live in the United States because it balances local with global and casual with sophisticated.
CORI’s headquarters are based in a converted general store building in the village of Hartland, a rural community located between the historic towns Windsor, Woodstock, and White River Junction.
At the heart of the region and 15 minutes up the interstate, Dartmouth College catalyzes a rich cultural life, a vibrant economy, and amenities that are unusual for a rural region. Dartmouth supports major teaching hospitals, a globally connected high-tech sector, and a vibrant arts scene.
A range of breweries, classic diners, and ethnic food options are found throughout the Upper Valley. Dartmouth’s award-winning Hopkins Center for the Arts, as well as the nearby Opera North and Northern Stage, offer high-caliber theatrical and musical productions. The area has plenty of nature to explore, including the Appalachian Trail, the Connecticut River, and vast forest land. Popular outdoor activities include hiking, skiing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Excellent schools, great employment opportunities, cultural activities, and the abundance of nature make the Upper Valley region a great place to work and live.
Equity + Diversity
The Center on Rural Innovation is an Equal Opportunity Employer — people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. We are interested in your ambitions, personal experiences, great ideas, and passions, and we believe that everyone’s unique story and perspective adds value to our organization.
Background Checks
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Submission Instructions
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