Director, Tocqueville Society and Education Leadership Initiative
United Way of Central Iowa
Social Services | Full Time | Hybrid | Des Moines
Posted: 8/13/26
Job Description
The Director, Tocqueville Society and Education Leadership Initiative manages two individual donor affinity groups to attract and sustain resources to support the organization’s community impact strategies. Affinity groups unite donors with shared passions, empowering them to direct their giving, volunteering and advocacy toward the causes they care about most. Tocqueville Society members contribute $10,000 or more annually, and the funds are strategically invested to create measurable and lasting changes in our community’s most urgent issues. Education Leadership Initiative (ELI) members focus on helping students stay on a path to graduation and gaining essential building blocks for a better life.
The director will work closely with the Individual Engagement Officer for Tocqueville growth strategies that move donors into deeper levels of engagement and support. This position will also have direct accountabilities for leading, supporting and implementing ELI strategies. This position incorporates the organization’s strategic imperative around equity within areas of responsibility. Please visit the organization’s website (address above) for more information about each affinity group.
The ideal candidate for this position will have strong relationship building skills and three to five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer management, sales, relationship management, membership organizations, or nonprofit leadership. Experience working with volunteers, committees, donors, and community leaders is preferred in addition to event planning and project management experience. A passion for the organization’s nonprofit mission to advance a thriving community is a must.
We offer a full benefits package and a hybrid work schedule of 3 days in the office and 2 days remote after 90 calendar days of employment for this full-time position. The starting salary range is $68,500 – $75,000 depending on relevant experience. We’re committed to building an inclusive team; we invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
Deadline to Apply 8/24/26
Address
1111 9th St., Suite 100
Essential Job Functions
Tocqueville Society
• At the strategic direction of the Individual Engagement Officer, lead the day-to-day engagement, stewardship, and operational management for the Tocqueville Society.
• Work closely with the Individual Engagement Officer to develop engaging donor experiences and annual Tocqueville engagement and membership retention plans that support Tocqueville growth and stewardship objectives.
• Partner with the Individual Engagement Officer to identify prospective Tocqueville members and upgrade opportunities to major gift, President's Circle, Tocqueville upgrade, planned giving and endowment opportunities.
• Project manage events, including the annual Tocqueville Celebration.
• Coordinate Tocqueville caller activities, volunteer outreach efforts, and the annual Tocqueville Award process, including coordination with volunteer leadership, UWCI leadership and award recipients.
Education Leadership Initiative (ELI)
• Provide overall leadership, strategy, and execution for the Education Leadership Initiative (ELI).
• Develop and implement annual goals related to revenue, membership growth, retention, donor engagement, and volunteer leadership.
• Cultivate, steward, and manage relationships with ELI members, prospects, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.
• Lead ELI Investment Committee activities and coordinate the investment review process.
• Coordinate site visits, educational experiences, volunteer opportunities, and member learning events.
Essential Accountabilities for both affinity groups:
• Recruit, train, support, and recognize volunteer leaders, advisory groups, committee members and engagement ambassadors.
• Coordinate member communications, newsletters, invitations, and engagement opportunities in collaboration with the Strategic Communications and Advancement staff.
• Maintain a portfolio of donor group members and prospects and other assigned donor relationships.
• Coordinate membership tracking, designation follow-up, and donor information management with the appropriate Advancement staff.
• Partner with other donor engagement staff to strengthen donor engagement pathways and support organizational fundraising priorities.
Education
• Bachelor's degree preferred. Relevant fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer management, nonprofit leadership, or relationship management experience may be considered in lieu of some educational requirements.
Experience
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer management, sales, relationship management, membership organizations, or nonprofit leadership.
• Experience working with volunteers, committees, donors, and community leaders preferred.
• Event planning and project management experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Experience using donor databases, CRM systems, reporting platforms, and constituent management tools preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for local travel. Ability to attend occasional early morning, evening, and community events.
Benefits
Health, dental, vision flexible spending accounts, paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, paid time off, 401(k) with employer match, hybrid work schedule, on-site fitness cetner, free parking.
About the Company
For more than a century, United Way of Central Iowa (UWCI) has played a unique role in bringing together people and organizations from every corner of central Iowa to create and implement initiatives that address the community's most pressing needs. UWCI has purposely leaned into its expertise and has sought out the expertise of others in the community to ensure lasting impact. Growth and adaptation plus tried-and-true strategies are helping the organization to dig deep and foster an equitable, engaged, and empowered community.
Today, UWCI employees are dedicated to authentically engaging nonprofits, businesses, elected officials, community leaders, and those with lived experiences to collaborate and implement long-lasting solutions. UWCI remains committed to building upon its work to eliminate barriers and challenges for all central Iowans. Our overall strategy – United to Thrive – creates an imperative that all individuals in the community should not just survive but thrive. The United to Thrive five focus areas include Essential Needs, Early Childhood Success, Education Success, Economic Opportunity, and Health and Well-Being. See the link above for more information about our organization.
Travel Required
No
Resume Required
Yes
Contact Person
Deanna Ingebretsen