Director of Development and Major Gifts

Position Summary: In partnership with FamilyCore's management team and the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, plans, coordinates and assures implementation of strategies to secure, retain and upgrade donors for FamilyCore's mission and programs. Responsible for building and fostering a culture of philanthropy within the organization and assures that the organization's corporate culture, systems and procedures support fund development.

This position reports to the CEO and serves as a part of the senior management team. The position supervises the personnel assigned to the following functions or departments:

• Individual Giving
• Institutional Giving
• Volunteerism and Advocacy
• Special Events
• Marketing and Communications
• Donor Services Operations

Within the agency, the position has primary relationships with the financial operation, senior management staff, and program staff. Outside the agency, the position coordinates with the governing board, fundraising volunteers, donors and funding sources.

Responsibilities:

• Participates with the CEO, staff and governing body to define the organization's mission and direction.
  • Provides vital input in short- and long-term strategic and operational planning and positioning within the organization.
  • Identifies and addresses organizational development issues that challenge and support sustainability and effectiveness.
  • Ensures that philanthropy and fund development are carried out in keeping with the organization's values, mission, vision and plans.
  • Participates with the CEO, staff and board in charting the organization's course in fund development.
  • Evaluates the effect of internal and external forces on the organization and its fund development, recommending short- and long-range fund development plans and programs that support the organization's values, mission and general objectives.
  • Keeps informed of developments in philanthropy and fund development as well as the general fields of management and the not-for-profit sector; informs the CEO, development committee(s) and board on current trends, issues, problems and activities to facilitate policy making. Recommends policy positions concerning fund development.
  • Helps develop a balanced funding mix of donor sources and solicitation programs tailored to the needs of the organization that will enable it to attract, retain and motivate donors and fundraising volunteers.
  • Helps establish performance measures, monitors results and helps the CEO, development committee(s) and board evaluate the effectiveness of the organization's fund development program.
• Provides general oversight of all the organization's fund development activities, manages the day-to-day operations of the development function, and monitors adequacy of activities through coordination with staff, appropriate committees, and governing body.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintains accountability standards to donors and ensures compliance with code of ethical principles and standards of professional conduct for fundraising executives.
• Coordinates with management and program staff to ensure clear and consistent messaging in fundraising, marketing and communications efforts. Oversees newsletters and website, including new and improved ways to enhance giving through online social media portals.
• Ensures establishment of and compliance with the organization's own fund development and philanthropic principles, policies and procedures.
• Assures stability by creating a working environment that is rewarding to staff and volunteers.
• Appropriately represents the institution, its board and CEO to donors, prospects, regulators, development committee(s) and fundraising volunteers.
  • Fosters a smoothly operating development function through timely and effective resolution of disruptions. Ensures attainment of the organization's fund development activities through the selection, development, motivation and evaluation of human resources, both professional and volunteer. Helps the board and development committee(s) determine accountabilities for board members and fundraising volunteers and helps evaluate performance regularly.
  • Helps identify, cultivate, recruit, and develop fundraising volunteers and leadership. Trains, places, coordinates and supervises fundraising volunteers.
  • Establishes personnel accountabilities for development staff (major gifts, grants, events, volunteerism, business and government relations, corporate sponsorship, affiliates, data services/operations, communication and marketing) and evaluates performance regularly.
  • Designs educational programs in fund development for staff and volunteers; participates as teacher and facilitator. Pursues formal and informal education for self and others.
  • Works with the CEO, development committee(s) chair(s) and chair of the governing board to ensure fulfillment of fund development roles and facilitate the optimum interaction between management and volunteers.
• Engages people in process, encourages questioning, and promotes participatory decision-making.
• With the development committee(s) chair(s), develops agendas for meetings so that the committees can fulfill their responsibilities effectively; develops an annual calendar to cover all crucial development issues in a timely fashion.
• Informs the CEO and volunteer leadership on the condition of the organization's fund development program and on all important factors influencing it.
• Influences the best thinking and involvement of each board member and each fundraising volunteer; and stimulates each one to give his/her best.
• Works with the CEO and volunteer leadership to make development committee(s) and the board function effectively in fund development.
• Evaluates annually the performance of fundraising volunteers and reports to the CEO with recommendations for improving board fundraising engagement and effectiveness.
• Designs and assures implementation of cost-effective fund development programs, employing economy while maintaining an acceptable level of quality and solid return on investment.
• Ensures proper planning including goal setting, strategy identification, benchmarking and evaluation to support fund development.
• Assures sound fiscal operation of development function including timely, accurate and comprehensive development of charitable contributions income and expense budgets, reporting, monitoring and implementation.
• Combines development resources in such a way as to maximize quantity and quality to obtain a set of results. Assures appropriate market testing to reduce risk and assure success.
• Helps board members, chief executive, other fundraising volunteers and staff identify, cultivate and solicit charitable gifts.
• Solicits contributions on behalf of the organization, generally by accompanying volunteers.
• Leads development and writing of foundation, corporate and government proposals and solicitation materials.
• Oversees design and maintenance of donor and prospect records, gift management systems, and informational reports.
• Assures appropriate prospect research.
• Designs and leads implementation of cultivation, acknowledgment and recognition programs.

Requirements:

Educational:

• Bachelor's Degree required. Master's degree preferred with baseline certification in fundraising (e.g., CFRE), and active membership in a professional fundraising association is preferred.
  • Demonstrated 6+ years of fundraising experience in an organization of similar size, scope and complexity.
• Proven progressive success in all aspects of fundraising as evidenced by successful capital campaigns, major gift program establishment and growth, annual renewal programs, planned giving initiatives, donor stewardship, and special events.

Required Knowledge and Expertise:

• The nature and dimensions of philanthropy, ethics, motivations for giving and volunteering, research and cultivation practices.
• Standard fundraising techniques including face-to-face solicitation, proposal writing, special events, telephone solicitation, and direct mail.
• Development office functions including gift processing, prospect and donor histories, and fundraising reporting.

• Demonstrated experience and confidence in asking people to contribute time and money. Familiarity with computer systems is necessary.
  • Demonstrated expertise in managing and implementing a comprehensive fund development program and producing charitable contributions.

Competency:

• Facility to develop and maintain a strong presence in the philanthropic community.
• Must have the social skills and proclivity to apply effectively to engage community residents, community leaders, as well as active and prospective donors.
• Comprehensive management skills and experience are required, including, but not limited to:

short and long-term planning, evaluation, directing and motivating staff, oral and written communication skills, marketing and financial management, values clarification, organizational behavior and development, and governance.

• Highly competent enabler of volunteers and staff.

Physical:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting for prolonged periods.
• Frequently walk and stand.
• Frequently grasp, lift, hold, or feel objects.
• Occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls.
• Extended use of computer and typing is required.
• Frequently is required to use manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination when working and handling office equipment.
• Subject to assist and support up to 25 pounds with varying amounts of assistance on a reoccurring basis.
• Required to have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and the ability to operate office equipment.
• No occupational exposure to blood, body fluids, communicable diseases or other potentially infectious substances (Category I).

Work Environment:

• Work occurs primarily in an office environment. Occasionally exposed to loud noise and outdoor weather conditions.
• May be subject to distraction and interruptions. May be subject to difficult client interactions that involve behavioral and/or emotional challenges.

Current Openings for Director of Development and Major Gifts Jobs at FamilyCore