Friends of the Children

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:                      Development Director

Reports to:         Executive Director

Status:                  Full time, Exempt

Basic Function / Position Objective:  

Our Development Director will be instrumental in accomplishing the fundraising goals of the chapter. They will work alongside our Executive Director (ED), the Board of Directors, with external contracted grant writing, marketing and events support, support from our staff and Friends and in coordination with the rest of the Friends National network, to actualize the organization’s fiscal goals and values.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with and support the ED and Board of Directors on implementing a development plan, revenue targets and achievements and actively participate in aspects of planning, budgeting, and managing the growth and development of the organization through philanthropy
• Annually develop a fundraising plan to meet budgeted revenue goals and create systems and strategies as necessary to move our fundraising to the next level by planning and actualizing fundraising events and executing special funding opportunities (end-of-year-end appeal, Annual Report, etc.)
• Provide oversight, direction and management of contractors including but not limited to: grants, major gifts, fundraising & events, and marketing
• Make, and in some cases attend, appointments with/for ED with foundation officers and other prospects, arrange for onsite tours for supporters (foundation officers, foundation trustees) Prepare timely, specific, and relevant materials for development meetings and conversations
• Develop and implement an annual grants strategy to ensure the effective and timely writing of grants while developing and stewarding strong relationships with foundation program managers to fully understand the priorities of each foundation (to validate a good fit for Friends of the Children-Klamath Basin) and perform prospect research on individuals, corporations, new funding streams and foundations as well as evaluate prospects for corporate and foundation grants. Ensure grant reporting is completed per grant agreements and write donor acknowledgements and proposals as needed
• Collaborate on a basic communications plan that will focus on educating and raising visibility for donors and prospects. This should include social media channels, electronic newsletters, website and all direct mail campaigns. Provide leadership for key messaging in alignment with other organizational messaging, and strategically develop mailing lists
• Create and implement systems for effective identification, cultivation, and solicitation of new prospective donors and update prospect and donor information in donor database as well as provide analytical donor and fundraising reports on the results and progress of campaigns, events, and ongoing donor cultivation. Demonstrate and create processes for showing gratitude in timely, appropriate, and delightful ways including outreach to GEMS members
• Lead a board stewardship program; create systems to ensure board members follow up with prospects and engage new supporters for Friends of the Children. Leading/involving the Ambassador Board to support brand awareness and revenue. Coordinate, plan and facilitate the Board Development Committee and Ambassadors meetings

Essential Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent organization, time management, delegation and follow-up skills  
• Be willing and able to attend and actively participate in team meetings, staff functions, and development events. Identify and utilize creative methods for gathering stories from Friends to be shared as appropriate
• Ability to research and manage grant proposals and reports.
• Familiarity with state, local, and national philanthropic, governmental, and business communities   
• Possess commitment to extreme attention to detail, including but not limited to ability to implement self-checking procedures for data entry, produce accurate correspondence and reports, and produce and edit written materials accurately and consistently
• Demonstrate ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
• Have a passion for serving youth facing the most challenging situations
• Be a self-starter with high level of initiative and willingness to learn
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Be social media savvy