Executive Director, Benton Community Foundation (NW of Lafayette, IN)

Indyhunger; Fowler (IN); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement contribution

Flexible scheduling

Paid time off

Health insurance contribution

Job summary

Benton Community Foundation (Fowler, IN) seeks an Executive Director to guide strategic direction, engage with residents, businesses, and partners, and grow charitable assets. This is a hybrid leadership role requiring a balance of strategy, donor relations, and hands-on execution.

The ideal leader will be a strong communicator with financial acumen, comfortable with governance, fundraising, and community partnerships to advance the Foundation's mission in rural Indiana.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or supervising staff and working with a Board.
• Familiarity with charitable giving and financial management.
• Community foundation experience preferred but not required.
• Residency in Benton County preferred.

Responsibilities

• Asset Development and Donor Relationships – Grow charitable assets through donor relationships and gifts.
• Organizational and Community Leadership – Provide forward-looking leadership for BCF and Benton County communities.
• Board Relations and Governance – Support governance and policy implementation with the Board.
• Staff Leadership and Organizational Administration – Lead and develop the staff and align policies and systems.
• Financial and Investment Oversight – Oversee finances with staff and Board committees.
• Grantmaking and Scholarships – Lead grantmaking and scholarships with staff and volunteers.
• Communications and Public Relations – Serve as chief spokesperson and enhance public understanding.
• Professional Development and Sector Leadership – Maintain relationships with philanthropy networks.

Skills

Leadership

Donor relationships

Governance

Staff leadership

Financial management

Grantmaking

Communications

Community partnerships

Job description

Executive Director, Benton Community Foundation (Fowler, IN, NW of Lafayette)

Are you a people-oriented leader who cares deeply about rural Indiana and the people who call it home? Would you thrive in a hands-on role where your work will help shape the future of a close-knit community?

Since 1998, Benton Community Foundation (BCF) has been dedicated to enhancing quality of life through civic leadership, philanthropy, and charitable economic development. Governed by a local Board of Directors, the Foundation connects donors with charitable causes, invests resources where they are needed most, and brings local partners together to create positive change.

Under the current leadership, BCF has experienced significant growth, with assets doubling to roughly $13 million over the past seven years. The incoming Executive Director will step into a planned transition, supported by an engaged Board whose members bring a wide range of professional and local perspectives. New leadership will have the opportunity to build on this strong momentum and guide BCF into its next chapter and continue our partnership with the Lilly Endowment in GIFT IX.

Why Join BCF? Why now?

• Assets have doubled in the past seven years, and the foundation is increasing local awareness and impact.
• This is a high visibility leadership role, working closely with residents, businesses, civic leaders, nonprofits, schools, and other community partners to identify opportunities, build connections, and drive real progress.
• Benton County is just west of Lafayette, Indiana. This positions the county and its residents to benefit from the education and innovation of Purdue University.
• With a small staff, this is a role for someone who is comfortable being both a leader and a doer. No two days will look exactly alike, and the Executive Director will wear many hats—from guiding big-picture strategy, to meeting with donors, public officials, and rolling up their sleeves to get the work done.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Asset Development and Donor Relationships – Lead efforts to grow the Foundation's charitable assets by developing trusted relationships and encouraging current, planned, and estate gifts from individuals, families, businesses, foundations, and affinity groups.
• Organizational and Community Leadership – Provide visible, forward-looking leadership for BCF and help bring people together to strengthen Benton County and the communities the Foundation serves.
• Board Relations and Governance – Partner with the Board President, committee chairs, and Board members to support effective governance and implementation of Board policy.
• Staff Leadership and Organizational Administration – Lead, develop, and support an effective staff team and ensure that BCF's people, policies, systems, and facilities support its mission and strategic priorities.
• Financial and Investment Oversight – Provide financially informed executive oversight while working closely with accounting staff and the Board's Finance and Investment Committees.
• Grantmaking and Scholarships – Provide strategic and hands-on leadership for grantmaking, scholarships, and special initiatives, working closely with staff and volunteer committees.
• Communications and Public Relations – Serve as BCF's chief spokesperson and strengthen public understanding, confidence, and engagement in the Foundation's work.
• Professional Development and Sector Leadership – Maintain active relationships with the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, peer community foundations, and other relevant state and national organizations.

The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking leader, strong communicator, and thoughtful listener who can quickly build trust and credibility. They should appreciate the character and realities of a rural, agricultural community and be excited about engaging with people and organizations throughout Benton County. Familiarity with financial management, charitable giving, working with a Board, and community partnerships is helpful, along with experience leading or supervising others. Community foundation experience is preferred but not required.

BCF welcomes leaders from nonprofit, business, education, government, and other community-focused settings. Community foundation training and peer resources are available through the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance to support new leaders. A past, current, or future resident of Benton County is preferred, although candidates from nearby counties will also be considered.

Work setting/Schedule:

BCF is located in Fowler, Indiana. This is considered a hybrid role with primary work time in the Foundation office and out in the community. It is important the leader have the schedule flexibility to actively participate in occasional evening and weekend events to support the foundation and community.

Compensation:

Salary range starting at $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include a retirement contribution, flexible scheduling, paid time off, and a contribution toward health insurance, if applicable. BCF is not able to offer a group health insurance plan.

Benton Community Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

1. Why would leading Benton Community Foundation and serving the Benton County community be a great match for you?
2. Tell us about your experience building trusted relationships within a community. How have you used those relationships to bring people, organizations, or resources together around a shared need or opportunity?
3. Briefly share your experience in raising funds from individuals or businesses or transferable experience.
4. Share an example of a community need you helped address. How did you identify the need, and how did you work with others to create a solution?
5. Tell us about your experience leading the operations of an organization, business, or department (financial management, managing staff, programs, Board, etc).

For more information about Benton Community Foundation, visit: https://bentoncf.org/.