About Food Bank of Iowa
Since its founding in 1982, Food Bank of Iowa (FBOI) has worked toward the vision of a hunger-free Iowa by providing nutritious food for Iowa children, families, seniors, and veterans so they can lead full and active lives and strengthen the communities where they live.
Throughout its 42-year history, FBOI has developed a broad range of resources and has earned a strong reputation both statewide and nationally.
FBOI is recognized as a partner food bank of Feeding America, receiving awards of excellence in 2022 and 2023. FBOI also is consistently voted among the metro’s most influential nonprofits. Today, FBOI serves more Iowans facing food insecurity than ever before. As FBOI prepares to enter its next chapter, they are building on a position of strength which includes:
- People: A dedicated and mission-driven team of more than 50, with strong staff retention and culture.
- Distribution: Over the past decade, FBOI has increased food distribution by 230%, expanding food assistance to children, seniors, veterans, and immigrant populations. FBOI serves 55 of Iowa’s 99 counties, delivering more than 25 million pounds of food (equivalent to 21 million meals) to its partners annually.
- Financial: A strong balance sheet, with diverse revenue sources.
- Donors & Volunteers: A significant and diverse range of corporations, foundations, and individuals support FBOI by providing time, funds, and food. In FY24, FBOI benefited from more than 37,000 volunteer hours, with 3 million pounds of food sorted by volunteers.
- Facilities & Fleet: FBOI has two newly renovated distribution centers in Ottumwa and Des Moines, and modernized transportation including a fleet of 20 vehicles, including three semi tractor-trailers, providing free delivery to all partners.
- Programs: A robust set of programs including the Food Bank’s BackPack Program, which provides sacks of child friendly, easy-to-prepare food for weekends; school pantries in 163 schools; and 46 mobile pantries, which provide “pop-up” style distribution in communities (especially rural counties) otherwise lacking food assistance.
- Partners: A strong network of over 700 partner agencies across the state, including community and church pantries, meal sites, shelters for victims of domestic violence, nonprofit day care and residential care centers, and youth and senior programs.
- Feeding America: A positive relationship with Feeding America, receiving Feeding America awards of excellence in 2022 and 2023.
Rising Demand & the Reality of Food Insecurity in Iowa:
In a country that wastes billions of pounds of food each year, more than 47 million Americans still struggle with food insecurity.
The COVID crisis in 2020 devastated individuals and families, leading to a sharp rise in food insecurity. Since then, record inflation, soaring food costs, reduced federal assistance, and other factors have continued to drive demand even higher.
Iowa ranks among the top three states with the largest increase in food insecurity, experiencing a 44.6% rise according to Feeding America’s latest “Map the Meal Gap” report. With 1 in 9 adults and 1 in 6 children in Iowa facing hunger, demand is at record levels.
Through it all, FBOI has continued to rise to meet the need of the moment, with a steadfast commitment to providing the food Iowans need to live full, active, and healthy lives.
Looking Ahead:
As Food Bank of Iowa enters its next chapter, it is more committed than ever to working toward a hunger-free Iowa. To support that vision, FBOI has set a strategic plan for FY25 focused on the following goals:
- Optimizing food sourcing and distribution and working toward equitable provision of food across served counties, with the goal of providing a minimum of 75% of meals per person in need in all 55 counties FBOI services by the end of 2025.
- Increasing the value of public support – building awareness of the organization and food insecurity and continuing to grow the food acquisition program.
- Increasing employee engagement and sustaining a strong organizational culture.
The next leader of FBOI will have the opportunity to leverage this plan as an operational foundation, while collaborating with the board of directors and staff to shape a strategy and vision for FBOI’s future.
In addition to these goals, FBOI collaborates with community partners to address the root causes of hunger through wraparound services, in order to support and build healthy communities.
To learn more about Food Bank of Iowa, please visit foodbankiowa.org.
The Opportunity
In 2025, Food Bank of Iowa will welcome its next leader. At this moment of tremendous opportunity, FBOI is seeking a dynamic and dedicated President & CEO to lead a vibrant and respected organization into its next chapter of impact.
Reporting directly to the Board, the President & CEO will lead overall strategic, operational, financial, and managerial responsibility for FBOI including oversight of an annual budget of approximately $50M, and a talented staff of 50+, including four direct reports (VP of Strategy & Communications, VP of Philanthropy, Chief Operating Officer, and Manager of Executive Administration).
Key responsibilities of the President & CEO include, but are not limited to:
- Provide forward-looking strategic and visionary leadership as Food Bank moves into its next chapter.
- Serve as the chief spokesperson and fundraiser for the organization.
- Establish and grow relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including donors, sponsors, volunteers, local and state officials, and external partners.
- Build upon the operational excellence of the food bank, continuing to amplify successes in the area of efficient operations.
- Use data and metrics to create goals and accountability for the organization’s success.
- Lead and empower an effective staff and invested group of volunteers.
- Cultivate a culture of active collaboration, deep respect, empathy, inclusion, and results.
- Facilitate governance best practices and collaboration with the Board.
Candidate Profile
While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:
An Exceptional Relationship Builder & Collaborator
This leader will:
- Be socially aware, with high integrity and emotional intelligence.
- Excel at building authentic relationships with a breadth of constituents including staff, volunteers, the Board, elected officials at all levels, donors, media, community members, Feeding America network members, and other allies.
- Understand the importance of coalition-building, ensuring FBOI’s role in addressing food insecurity is positive and impactful for both the organization and the community.
- Be approachable and energized by the opportunity to develop lasting partnerships.
An Innovative & Strategic Leader with Business Acumen
This leader will:
- Have the ability and experience to lead a complex and thriving business.
- Be a bold thinker with strategic mindset, and the ability to balance short-term needs and long-term goals.
- Be skilled in navigating dynamic environments, with an agile and adaptable style and an ability to respond to evolving needs, for maximum impact.
- Have a track record of successfully driving organizational change and growth.
A Dedicated, Trusting, & Empathetic Team Leader
This leader will:
- Bring a proven track record in organizational management and servant leadership, with a focus on empowering staff and fostering development.
- Be a trusting and empowering leader with a willingness to delegate.
- Be a level-headed and patient leader, able to set the organizational vision, but also willing to engage in hands-on work.
- Be a listener – with an ability to ask questions and a desire to learn from and leverage the expertise of others.
- Operate with a high degree of empathy in all interactions.
An Ambassador & Advocate
This leader will:
- Have a strong ability to connect and resonate with a range of diverse individuals and audiences.
- Excel as a public speaker and advocate for FBOI, with a willingness to share the spotlight and prioritize the mission.
- Be able to enthusiastically convey the importance of FBOI’s work to existing and potential new funding sources including foundations, major donors, and public agencies.
- Proactively seek out opportunities to increase FBOI’s reputation locally, regionally, and beyond.
A Commitment to the Iowa Community & A Passion for the Mission
This leader will:
- Be a champion for ending hunger throughout Iowa.
- Demonstrate a passion for FBOI’s mission in a way that inspires engagement and action.
- Understand and appreciate the many diverse communities throughout Iowa – both urban and rural.
- Understand that food insecurity is a nonpartisan issue, with the ability to navigate a hyper-political environment in a thoughtful way.
- Lead with unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values; be someone who can be trusted without reservation.
About Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city, is a vibrant Midwestern hub for culture, business and outdoor recreation. Des Moines offers a diverse mix of art galleries, restaurants, scenic parks, and a dynamic downtown riverfront. Known for its friendly residents and strong sense of community, Des Moines feels like a small town with big-city amenities.
With a population of over 215,000, Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the heart of the state’s economic, political, and cultural landscape. It is home to several Fortune 500 companies, particularly in the insurance, finance, and agriculture sectors, which have fueled its steady growth. The Des Moines metro area, which includes surrounding suburbs, has a population of over 700,000, making it the largest metropolitan area in Iowa.
The city’s energy is reflected in its thriving arts scene, which includes the Des Moines Art Center, a range of live performances, and annual festivals. The Des Moines River runs through the city, providing scenic beauty as well as recreational opportunities such as kayaking and biking along the extensive trail system. Known for its accessibility, Des Moines is a place where outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of trails, parks, and golf courses while still enjoying the perks of city life. With family-friendly attractions, a burgeoning food scene, and an impressive mix of historic and modern architecture, Des Moines is a city on the rise—offering everything from world-class dining to a deep sense of community and culture.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation for the role is anticipated to range from $190,000 – $240,000, commensurate with experience. A comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision (with 100% individual coverage plans offered).