Resource Rural Network Advancement Director

Designs and delivers programs and offerings for the local resource partners (grantees) in the Resource Rural Network to advance their progress and create greater impact locally and across the network. Cultivates learning and strategy development to demonstrate effective pathways for driving investment in rural communities and Tribal nations that builds local capacity and wealth.

Network Advancement

• Designs, builds, and iterates Network offerings and services, including facilitating the Resource Rural community of practice and learning groups focused on specific topics identified through consultation with local resource partners;
• Identifies and develops tools, templates, research, and support that can advance local resource partners’ ability to secure capital (public & private), with a particular emphasis on high value funding opportunities in the climate and energy sectors;
• Develops relationships with key federal and state staff and intermediaries providing technical assistance and support, shares relevant information with Resource Rural local resource partners, and facilitates partnerships that can accelerate their work;
• Designs learning opportunities and offerings in a way that is attuned to racial equity, as well as geographic, cultural, political, and organizational differences.
• Collaborates with program staff across the Heartland Fund programs to identify opportunities for cross-grantee connections, learning dissemination, and joint implementation of policy advocacy work.

Strategic Consulting & Project Management Support

• Identifies and scopes for potential strategy development and/or implementation projects within the Resource Rural network – and where relevant, the overall Heartland Fund grantee network.
• Provides strategic planning and project management support for 3-5 local resource partners and Heartland Fund grantees each quarter looking to design or implement a community and economic development project or strategy in their communities. Topics may include clean energy workforce development, rural housing and commercial real estate development, waste and water infrastructure, or regional food systems. Technical expertise in each of these issue areas is not required, but general awareness of the topics and ability to develop agendas,  facilitate meetings, develop project management tools, and connect partners to technical expertise is needed.
• Where requested, selects and manages external consultants to bring technical expertise to grantees’ implementation and/or organizational development needs.
• Supports rural organizations’ ability to finance community development projects, particularly climate and clean energy projects, by helping to research and support investment models that leverage philanthropic impact investors, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and the private sector along with federal funding and tax credits.

Learning, Research, & Policy Support

• Contributes to the development of our learning and research agenda and works with partners to execute the learning and research agenda;
• Supports data collection, management, and reporting in a way that minimizes the burden on local partners and supports learning, reporting, and research;
• Distills and shares learning about emerging models with local resource partners, funders and stakeholders in a compelling manner.
• Helps elevate stories for the Resource Rural communications team and identifies communications opportunities and needs;
• Provides program related updates and new content for communications platforms and development materials;
• Helps capture insights to drive policy discussions with state and federal agencies as well as the U.S. Congress;
• Identifies policy and advocacy opportunities and works with the Resource Rural Advocacy and Organizing Director to connect advocacy resources to state partners to advance economic development goals.

Grantmaking & Grant Management

• Leads identification of potential grantees (local resource partners), and manages grantmaking budget by recommending how to allocate grant dollars across potential grantees each budget year. Coordinates application and proposal reviews and due diligence with support from Grants & Operations Manager.
• Presents grant and contract recommendations to the Resource Rural Director and Steering Committee;
• Coordinates with grants and operations staff on agreements, monitors grantees and contractors regularly, and provides updates on grantee/contractor performance, activities, needs, and opportunities.

Organizational Development & Support

• Represents Resource Rural at conferences and external meetings, including meetings with funders;
• Provides advice and support to the Resource Rural Director to shape strategy, team processes, and ensure optimal use of limited time and resources to achieve impact;
• Contributes to fundraising and development work (proposal writing and review, grant reports, preparation of fundraising materials), in collaboration with the Resource Rural Director and the Heartland Fund Strategic Partnerships team;
• Works collaboratively with team members to establish effective and efficient work processes, plan meetings, and contribute to organizational learning;
• Facilitates project management and partnership, maintaining files, documents and shared communications systems; and
  Fulfills other duties as requested by the Director.