4-H Building Campaign Coordinator, Extension Development Office

Title: 4-H Building Campaign Coordinator

Appointment: Full-time, Administrative Associate 2 (8208A2); Civil Service

Department: Extension Development Office

Office location: Coffey Hall, St. Paul Campus; some hybrid work options may be possible

Pay range: $26 - $32 an hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Apply By: June 18, 2025

University of Minnesota Extension is partnering with the Minnesota State Fair and State Fair Foundation to renovate the iconic 4-H Building. This $20+ million campaign will transform both the physical space and the 4-H experience for over 50,000 Minnesota youth annually.

We seek a highly organized, detail-oriented 4-H Building Campaign Coordinator to serve as the operational backbone of this multifaceted fundraising and renovation effort. In this role, you will coordinate workflows among Extension specialists, State Fair teams, and external partners, ensuring smooth campaign operations and steady project progress.

Working closely with specialists in stewardship, communications, finance, and major gifts, you will help maintain seamless campaign operations. As the project advances, you will coordinate key aspects of the building renovation-from furniture selection to procurement logistics and transition planning. Your role as the organizational backbone will ensure that critical details are addressed as we transform this 80-year-old building into a modern facility for future generations of 4-H youth.

You will also work closely with Extension's director of communications and their team, Minnesota's 4-H's associate dean and state director, and Minnesota 4-H's State Fair superintendent. Additionally, this role will involve partnership with colleagues at the University of Minnesota Foundation, the Minnesota State Fair, and the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.

Occasional travel throughout Minnesota will be required and is essential for donor engagement and campaign events. This position is funded through September 2027, with potential for extension based on project outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Campaign Project Management (55%)

• Coordinate cross-functional campaign workflows, aligning timelines between specialized staff (events, major gifts, stewardship, communications, space planning, data & annual giving, etc.) while ensuring team members maintain ownership of their core functions, monitoring deliverables, and anticipating resource requirements.
• Handle operations for three campaign committees (Building Design, Community Engagement, Fundraising), including meeting logistics, agendas, and action item follow-up.
• Facilitate communication flow between partner organizations (Extension, State Fair, State Fair Foundation), ensuring all stakeholders remain aligned while respecting organizational boundaries.
• Set up comprehensive tracking system(s) for campaign progress and reporting.
• Serve as a central point for campaign inquiries, directing questions to appropriate experts.
• Maintain the campaign calendar, identify bottlenecks, and anticipate resource needs.
• Work with Accountant to track campaign expenditures and provide financial reports.
• Coordinate donor meeting logistics and prepare briefing materials for Extension's gift officers.
• Coordinate volunteer engagement, tracking assignments, and facilitate seamless information flow between volunteers, gift officers, and specialized staff.
• Monitor gift agreement processing and donor documentation workflow in the Donor Management System (DMS).

Committee Support (30%)

• Support the Building Design Committee by facilitating collaboration between 4-H Building users and design/construction partners-ensuring 4-H's needs are represented and documenting decisions
• Support the Community Engagement Committee, taking a leadership role in implementing ideas, tracking progress on committee initiatives, and bringing engagement strategies to life
• Maintain consistent communication between Extension/4-H leadership and State Fair staff.
• Monitor goals, forecast resources, provide analytical insights, and report outcomes.
• Coordinate integration of donor recognition with building design elements.
• Document best practices and manage special projects as assigned.

Construction & Event Coordination (15%)

• Track design decisions, procurement timelines, and installation schedules.
• Work with leaders to facilitate furniture and equipment selection aligned with 4-H program needs and branding.
• Coordinate logistical elements for campaign milestone events, including public launch, groundbreaking, ribbon cutting and grand opening, and regional fundraising gatherings throughout Minnesota.
• Coordinate site visits, design reviews, and stakeholder walkthroughs.
• Manage inventory and shipment tracking for procured items.
• Work with leadership to plan and implement the transition from the current to the renovated building configuration.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree, and 2 years of relevant project coordination experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years.
• Project management experience with demonstrated ability to track and follow through on multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to build professional relationships.
• Organizational skills and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and prioritize competing tasks effectively.
• Experience with complex database systems (i.e., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, DMS, EFS, Blackbaud)
• Creative problem-solver who balances innovation with sound judgment.
• Event coordination experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Google suite applications.
• Experience providing quality customer service to diverse constituents.
• Budget management experience
• Ability to maintain accurate records and handle confidential information with integrity.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance.
• Must be able to travel throughout Minnesota including travel for occasional day and evening events, limited overnight stays (2-4 times yearly), and weekend commitments 6-10 times yearly. Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
• When working outside of the assigned office location, must have reliable internet, and must be reachable with a mobile or alternate number at the employee's own expense.
• Availability to work outside typical office hours for morning, evening, and weekend events.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to work at different buildings and be exposed to different weather and temperature conditions.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull up to 30 pounds on occasion.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project managementexperience in fundraising, development, or nonprofit environments.
• Familiarity with Extension's mission and/or Minnesota 4-H, and knowledge of the Minnesota State Fair.
• Experience with donor database systems or CRM platforms.
• Volunteer coordination background
• University of Minnesota or similar higher education experience
• Experience providing administrative support for a capital campaign
• Advanced skills with productivity and presentation software.

About Extension

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement https://extension.umn.edu/.

Pay Range: $26 - $32/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please attach the following required application materials:

1. Cover letter that speaks to your experience related to project coordination and cross-functional collaboration.
2. Resume/Vitae

Names and contact information for three professional references will be required during the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full application instructions.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about this position contact:

Ryan Thibodeau, Alumni Relations/Advancement Operations Associate, thibo016@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.