The World Food Prize Foundation Appoints Director of Donor Relations

The World Food Prize Foundation announced today the appointment of Jacob Hunter as Director of Donor Relations. In his role, Hunter will lead the Foundation's fundraising strategy and cultivate philanthropic partnerships to advance its mission of elevating innovations and inspiring action to sustainably increase the quality, quantity and availability of food for all.

Hunter brings more than 15 years of experience in strategic partnerships, fundraising, grant development and stakeholder engagement across education and nonprofit organizations. Working closely with Foundation President Mashal Husain and Chief Executive Officer Tom Vilsack, he will lead efforts to expand the Foundation's philanthropic support through major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation grants and individual giving.

"The team at the World Food Prize Foundation represents some of the very best people working to address the greatest humanitarian challenges facing our global community," Hunter said. "I'm thrilled to rejoin the organization and to serve as one of the stewards of its extraordinary mission, helping carry forward the legacy of great humanitarians who came before us, including Dr. Norman Borlaug."

As Director of Donor Relations, Hunter will develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, strengthen relationships with donors and institutional partners and help ensure the Foundation's long-term sustainability as it continues addressing the world's most pressing food security challenges.

"Jacob brings a rare combination of strategic vision, authentic relationship-building and a deep understanding of our mission," said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. "His experience securing transformational investments and connecting partners around a shared purpose will strengthen our ability to engage supporters who believe in a world without hunger. As we look toward the future, Jacob's leadership will help ensure the Foundation has the philanthropic partnerships needed to advance Norman Borlaug's vision and expand our global impact."

Hunter returns to the Foundation after previously serving as Director of Iowa Education Programs and Director of Social Media from 2014 to 2016. During his tenure, he led the Iowa Youth Institute, increasing participation by expanding the number of schools represented by 21 percent and student enrollment by 28 percent. He also supported the Borlaug Dialogue, the annual World Food Prize Laureate Announcement and the Foundation's strategic communications efforts. Even after moving into education, he always remained connected with the Foundation, bringing his own students to the Iowa Youth Institute year after year, and even writing an op-ed celebrating the World Food Prize. Through it all, Hunter has remained committed to advancing the mission of the Foundation.

"Jacob understands the World Food Prize Foundation, our mission and the people who make our work possible," said Vilsack. "Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build meaningful relationships, secure transformational investments and bring people together around a shared purpose. We are pleased to welcome him back to the Foundation as we continue expanding our impact around the world."

Most recently, Hunter served as Lead Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at North Scott Community School District, where he helped secure more than $4 million in public and private funding for the district's Regional Innovation Center, a transformative $18.7 million facility connecting education, agriculture, business and industry. He also developed competitive grant proposals, cultivated donor-supported scholarship programs and built strategic partnerships that expanded educational opportunities and workforce development across eastern Iowa.

Hunter earned a master's degree in school leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a bachelor's degree in agricultural and life sciences education from Iowa State University. Throughout his career, he has received numerous honors recognizing his leadership in agricultural education, STEM and workforce development, including the Iowa Association for Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award and the Iowa FFA Distinguished Service Award.