Development and Communications Director

Position Description

The CAN Council is a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect through its nationally accredited and evidence-based education, intervention, and advocacy programs. Founded in 1979, the CAN Council has consistently grown to meet the needs of the community’s children and families, providing services in Arenac, Bay, Huron, and Saginaw counties. For more information, visit CANcouncil.org.

Position

The Development and Communications Director at CAN Council is a strategic leader responsible for driving aggressive fundraising initiatives and enhancing organizational visibility through effective communication strategies. While this is a crucial leadership role for the organization, it also requires significant individual contributions to prove effective. This role requires skill and experience in high-level fund development planning, project management, and hands-on involvement in major gift acquisition, annual appeal campaigns, planned giving initiatives, endowment building, special events, corporate sponsorship attainment, and individual donor cultivation. Thus, the ideal candidate will possess either a strong background in, or have proven capabilities generalizable to, nonprofit fundraising and communications, fund development planning skills, donor cultivation, and stewardship practices. Further, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a passionate commitment to making a positive impact in their community.

The Development and Communications Director reports directly to the President/CEO and oversees 2.5 FTE: Development Coordinator, Development Assistant, and Marketing Coordinator. This role involves close collaboration with programming, finance, and grant- writing teams. Additionally, the Development and Communications Director works with volunteer Special Event Committees and the Board of Directors to achieve strategic objectives. The primary work location is the CAN Council Bay City or Saginaw office, with flexibility for weekly remote work. Travel within Bay, Huron and Saginaw counties is required to meet development objectives, and occasional irregular hours, including weekends and evenings, will be necessary.

Leadership and Collaboration Responsibilities
▪ Collaboration: Collaborate with the Board of Directors, executive leadership,

program staff, and volunteers to align fundraising efforts with the organization's mission and strategic priorities. Engage key stakeholders in fundraising activities, volunteer recruitment, programmatic and advocacy efforts.

▪ Leadership Team Participation: Act as an essential member of the organization's Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, decision-making, and organizational development initiatives.

▪ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advocacy: Advance the CAN Council’s collective efforts to build a diverse, equitable, and fully inclusive organization through transformative learning and leadership, and by actively seeking and welcoming diverse voices and perspectives that will shape the organization's future.

Fundraising and Stewardship Responsibilities

• Fund Development Plan: Create and manage a Fund Development Plan incollaboration with the President/CEO. This plan should encompass major gifts, annual appeal, planned giving, endowment, special events, individual donor cultivation, and corporate sponsorship, with input and oversight from key stakeholders.
• Donor Cultivation: Build and maintain relationships with donors, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and other funding sources. This involves identifying potential donors, cultivating them through personalized communication and engagement, and stewarding their contributions.
• ▪ Special Events: Plan and oversee fundraising events such as galas, auctions, and community engagement events. Facilitate event committees, coordinate logistics and manage event budgets to maximize fundraising impact.
• Donor Stewardship: Develop and implement stewardship plans to recognize and retain donors. This may include acknowledgment letters, donor recognition programs, and personalized communications to express gratitude and demonstrate the impact of donations.
• Database Management: Oversee the accuracy of donor records and fundraising data in the organization's database. Use data analytics to track donor trends, identify giving opportunities, and measure fundraising performance.
• ▪ Fundraising Research: Continuously monitor fundraising trends, best practices, and industry developments to identify new opportunities and strategies for maximizing fundraising effectiveness. This includes staying informed about changes in donor behavior, emerging fundraising platforms, and innovative fundraising techniques.
• Compliance and Ethics: Adhere to ethical fundraising practices, donor privacy regulations, and nonprofit financial standards. Ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in all fundraising activities.Planning, Assessment and Budgeting Responsibilities
• Fund Development Planning: Spearhead and execute ongoing fund developmentplanning processes, working closely with the President/CEO, Development staff, and volunteers. Collaborate to plan, implement, and monitor short-term and long-term fundraising strategies, goals, and tasks aligned with the organization's mission & vision.
• Fundraising Systems: Work with the Development staff to assess and update fundraising systems and processes. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of current fundraising methods, implementing improvements, and adopting innovative tools and technologies to streamline fundraising efforts.
• Data Analysis: Collect, analyze, and interpret fundraising-related data to measure performance and identify growth opportunities. Create reports that communicate fundraising results, trends, and insights to stakeholders, using data-driven strategies to inform decision-making and drive fundraising success.
• Budget: Develop, manage, and monitor the annual fundraising budget, as well as budgets for campaigns and special fundraising initiatives.
• Communications and Marketing Responsibilities

▪ Communication and Marketing: Collaborate with the Marketing Specialist todevelop compelling organizational collateral, including appeal letters, newsletters,

website content, and social media campaigns. Ensure consistent messaging and

branding to effectively communicate the organization's impact and needs.
▪ Media Releases and Public Awareness: Review and finalize media releases and public awareness initiatives to promote organizational initiatives and events, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission, values, and strategic goals. Collaborate closely with the Marketing Specialist to optimize visibility, reach target audiences, and raise awareness of programming, fundraising impact, and needs.

Required Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Experience: At least 5 years of successful experience in nonprofit fundraising, including major gifts, annual appeals, planned giving, fundraising or awareness campaigns, and corporate gifts. Alternatively, equivalent experience in the for- profit sector with proven results in generating sales and revenue will be seen favorably.
• Education: A bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Project Management: Experience working with and coordinating multiple projects, utilizing both staff and volunteer resources efficiently.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey the organization's mission, goals, and impact to diverse audiences.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement strategic fundraising and communications plans aligned with organizational objectives.
• Leadership Abilities: Strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate teams, foster collaboration, and lead by example.
• Technology Proficiency: Superior proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM databases, and social media platforms for fundraising and communication purposes. Willingness to learn and implement technology to support fundraising efforts is imperative.
• Creativity and Innovation: A dynamic and creative approach to fundraising and communications, constantly seeking innovative strategies to engage constituents.
• Resourcefulness: Exhibits resourcefulness in problem-solving, with a willingness to learn and adopt new methods, technologies, or processes to overcome challenges.
• Commitment: Passionately dedicated to the nonprofit's mission, demonstrating a deep understanding of its services and their impact on children and families.
• Annual satisfactory background, credit check and driver's license clearances are required.
• To apply: Interested applicants may email a resume highlighting specific career accomplishments, cover letter and 3 professional references to the CAN Council President/CEO at eyeager@cancouncil.org. No phone call inquiries, please.It is the policy of the CAN Council to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Persons who do not meet all of the listed job criteria but who feel their knowledge, skills, and experience make them well-qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $66,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Saginaw, MI 48602: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person