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Jane
Community Development Resources
Lincoln, Nebraska
Position Profile:
Executive Director
About the Organization
Community Development Resources (CDR) is a Community Development financial Institution (CDFI) that is currently expanding their mission. Located in Lincoln Nebraska, CDR's mission is to create economic opportunity and strong communities by providing capital and technical assistance to develop and fortify small business. In 2022 CDR is expanding their mission to help meet the affordable housing needs of Lincoln as identified in the city commissioned Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan released in 2020.
CDR is also a Community Development Corporation (CDC) which furthers its mission by serving a critical role in addressing issues of poverty and access to credit in economically disadvantaged communities by providing development services and/or technical assistance along with the loans and investments they make for community and economic projects.
History
CDR was founded in 1994 to fill a gap in access to capital resources and technical assistance and training for low-income, minority and women owned small business. CDR, formerly the Self Employment Loan Fund of Lincoln (SELF), has continued to expand their lending and assistance programs. In 2001, CDR became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In 2002, CDR became a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). In 2010, CDR continued to expand meeting the community needs in Lincoln, and throughout the State of Nebraska, to including becoming an SBA 504 lender.
Throughout 2020 and 2021 the Lincoln Community Foundation and the city of Lincoln, brought together a group of community leaders to address the affordable housing challenge in their community. This work led to the expansion of CDR's mission to including affordable housing lending. The board of directors of CDR was reconstituted, bringing broad based community leadership to CDR and the funding to launch the restructure and expansion of CDR's lending program.
Existing Programs (Small Business)
CDR provides SBA micro loans up to $50,000, SBA 504 loans up to $5 million, small business loans up to $100,000, community nonprofit loans up to $20,000, and now is adding affordable housing loans. CDR offers business consulting services, including both individual and group consulting, workshops, and classes. Additionally, they offer several SBA classes designed for the small business owner, generally in partnership with the local community college.
Existing small business revenue sources include:
- Origination and servicing fees for 504 loans.
- Program interest income and TA grants from federal and state sources for micro-lending.
New Programs (Housing)
CDR has raised $1,000,000 in local and federal capacity grants to help launch the Housing Program. In addition, the State of Nebraska (DED) will be releasing guidelines in early 2023 for ARPA grant funding related to land for housing. Lincoln has been allocated up to $20 million and CDR is an eligible non-profit that plans on applying for funding. DED also will be releasing second round guidelines for a Middle-Income Workforce Housing Revolving Loan Fund anticipated in late 2022 with a maximum application amount of $5,000,000 per non-profit requiring a local match of 50% which CDR plans to apply for.
When combined with the collaboration to achieve meaningful outcomes in Lincoln between business, philanthropy and government as noted by the reconstituted board composition, these two potential funding sources provide a well-timed opportunity to launch the housing initiative with significant on balance sheet lending activities to follow.
About the City of Lincoln
Lincoln is a very attractive city for individuals and to raise a family and was listed as #9 in the most livable cities in the US in 2019. Home to the University of Nebraska's main campus, Lincoln enjoys a high quality of life, and has a thriving, diverse mix of community activities and a diversified economy. You can get outside in the sunshine on 6,500 acres of parks and 1,475 acres of wilderness and can make use of 135 miles of biking and hiking trails. Since 84 of those miles of trails are considered commuter trails – those which lead to a destination – you can challenge yourself to get your errands done in a healthier way, or just get lost along beautiful scenes as you pedal through the parks. The city has 125 parks for picnics, grilling, reading, resting and admiring nature.
Organizational Structure and Leadership Opportunity
A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and a Community Development Financial Institution, CDR is governed by a 16-member board of directors, consisting of business leaders from local banks, the community foundation, community development professionals and the city of Lincoln. The Board provides CDR with significant connections to access the funding necessary to successfully launch its expansion into the affordable housing arena in Lincoln. CDR's 2022 expense budget is approximately $350,000, with a loan portfolio that is approximately $625,000 and $1.6 million in net assets. The organization currently has a staff of four and is in the processing of outsourcing its accounting functions which will include availability of CFO services.
The Position and Priorities
The new Executive Director will be expected to leverage the board's existing strong relationships with key community stakeholders and continue to build additional new relationships with governmental, financial, community development and other leaders to be able to effectively develop and implement effective programs. Building upon such relationships, the new ED will have the following strategic priorities:
First 3-6 months:
Working with the board of directors, develop a new strategic plan that will address the following priorities:
o Assess the SBA corrective action plan. Document the necessary resources, strategies and timelines to accomplish sustainability and impact.
o Implement the SBA lending plan recommended and approved by the board
o Develop affordable housing lending products and policies,
o Access new lending capital and grant funding,
o Build a team that can deliver their loan products in both product lines in a timely fashion with maximum efficiency,
o Create a community outreach plan to reach all stakeholders, and
o Set realistic and achievable goals with metrics for board reporting
Months 4-24 are expected to be spent implementing the new plan, including all the priorities above, in an intentional and strategic sequence, in order to begin to scale up organizational impact as expeditiously as possible.
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
The Executive Director personifies the mission of CDR. Reporting to the board of directors, the ED provides leadership to the organization and is responsible for the overall management, strategic direction as approved by the board, fundraising, and accountability to investors and the community to ensure the organizations achieves its goals.
The ideal candidate for this position will be passionate about the mission of CDR. They will have excellent leadership, communication, management, and relationship building skills. The new ED will lead the organization through a new strategic plan, development and launch of new affordable housing loan products, and the expansion of current small business lending products. The new ED will be a collaborative and achievement-oriented leader, moving CDR forward meeting the needs of the community, with the following qualifications:
- A passion for the mission, the community, and the community's needs that can translate into a vision for the organization.
- Leadership skills to build and motivate a staff team and hold them accountable. The ability to educate and engage a powerful board of directors.
- A track record of achievement, setting and meeting goals and objectives. Ability to think creatively with an entrepreneurial spirit and confidence to get the job done as part of a team.
- A history of collaboration. Successful history being a community builder. The ability to build community partnerships and to manage those relationships.
- Dynamic communication skills. The ability to communicate with staff, the community, investors, and other stakeholders. The ability to manage an organizations community reputation and competence.
- Experience advocating with elected officials and government agencies to leverage political support of programs.
- Lending experience in one or more areas: SBA, small business, affordable housing, construction lending, and or CDFI lending models. Understanding of alternative funding sources for affordable housing. A track record of building a book of business and or partnerships.
- Financial experience with internal financing and budgeting and financial forecasting. Experience with grants and investment sources for a CDFI and or a nonprofit.
- A history of building internal systems and controls that are efficient, meet client expectations, and are compliant with regulations. The ability to build new products for affordable housing.
- Seven years' progressively responsible experience in management in a related field, and a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Job Requirements
- Willing and able to travel for business within the CDR service area. If driving for CDR business, must have a valid driver's license, safe driving record and current vehicle insurance.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check. The successful candidate maybe required to pass a civil, educational and/or credit background check
Compensation
Compensation: $130,000-$165,000 depending on experience plus an annual bonus of up to 10% of salary based on the organization meeting performance goals. Benefits include medical insurance coverage, short term and long‐term disability insurance, life insurance, IRA with contributions matched up to 3% of annual salary, and 4 weeks' vacation.
Working Conditions
Work is performed typically in an office environment and a variety of settings among diverse stakeholders and audiences. A considerable amount of time will be spent in meeting, at a computer screen for extended periods, and at CDR events. Frequent use of phones and e-mail will be required to communicate with stakeholders. Frequently works outside normal working hours and travel to work performed with customers and or other stakeholders in the community Occasional travel out of town and out of state may be required.
Application Process
CDR has engaged Jan Glick & Associates to facilitate this search. To apply, interested candidates should e-mail their resume and cover letter to:
cdr@janglick.com
Only e-mail applications with a cover letter and resume will be accepted. The position is open until filled.
CDR is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and values diversity and its role in building a more inclusive culture and, ultimately, a more capable organization CDR embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
Jane Hardesty
Jane Hardesty
jhardesty@cdr-nebraska.org
Community Development Resources
912 N. 70th
Lincoln, NE 68505
402.436.2386