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 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. 

The DD is accountable for revenue goals and is responsible for consistently monitoring progress and adjusting work plans to achieve goals. The DD is responsible for the development of a revenue strategy that includes grant writing, fundraising, and the successful identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and corporations with significant capacity to give. This position works with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to ensure the organization has the resources it needs to accomplish strategic objectives. 

The DD is responsible for creating and monitoring systems and teamwork plans to ensure goals are met. The position is accountable for meeting all project deadlines, event timelines, and prospect generation plans. The DD will lead local marketing initiatives, including community awareness, public relations, social media, and internal and external communications.

The DD is a member of the Friends of the Children – Eastern Montana leadership team. This team member will demonstrate a range of skills and abilities and be relentlessly driven to advance the Friends’ brand and achieve best-in-class marketing to reach prospective donors and increase the organization’s fundraising capacity.

Responsibilities

• Passion for serving youth facing the most challenging situations 
• Work effectively – with ED, Board, and independently -- to identify and cultivate donors including individuals, corporations and foundations
• Support the ED and Board of Directors with revising and implementing a development plan, systems and strategies as necessary to move our fundraising to the next level 
• Perform prospect research on individuals, corporations, and foundations. Evaluate prospects for corporate and foundation grants
• Demonstrate and create processes for showing gratitude in timely, appropriate, and delightful ways
• Actively participate in aspects of planning, budgeting, and managing the growth and development of the organization through philanthropy
• In partnership with the team, plan and implement a minimum of one successful event each year
• Excellent organization, time management, delegation and follow-up skills 
• Coordinate with ED and board on revenue targets and achievements
• Plan and execute special funding opportunities (end-of-year-end appeal, Annual Report, etc.)
• Collaborate with OM on a basic communications plan that will focus on educating and raising visibility for donors and prospects. This should include social media channels and electronic newsletters
• Familiarity with state, local, and national philanthropic, governmental, and business communities
• Ability to research, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals and reports
• 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
• Identify and utilize creative methods for gathering stories from Friends to be shared as appropriate
• Strive to ensure that organization’s commitment to equity is reflected in all decisions, communications, and processes

Leadership

• Model professionalism, hard work, and high ethical standards.
• Actively participate as member of senior management in all aspects of planning, budgeting, and managing.
• Effectively communicate organization’s goals and values, both internally and externally.
• Strive to ensure the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is reflected in all decisions, communications, and structures (with utilization of DEI lens).

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Passion for serving the children in our community that need it the most.
• Entrepreneurial enthusiasm for facing new challenges and finding solutions.
• Strategic, creative, detail-oriented approach.
• Strategic thinker, and the ability to research, design/develop, implement, and sustain traditional and creative fundraising strategies and programs to advance the organization’s profile in the community and maximize resource development efforts.
• Working knowledge and experience in the local philanthropic and business communities from which funding is to be raised; ability to cultivate and sustain relationships with these resources, including those at senior levels of both large and small organizations. 
• Proven ability to build a strong and effective work team.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate our mission and make persuasive and compelling presentations to all levels of prospective donors and members of the community.
• Ability to cultivate and sustain relationships and work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies, including staff, program children, organizational supporters, current and potential donors, board members, and community partners.
• Ability to represent, effectively and professionally, the organization to a wide variety of audiences.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Outstanding organizational and time management, delegation and follow-up skills.
• Excellent customer service skills, demonstrated consistently, with all contacts.
• Self-starter, motivated, and able to take initiative in all situations. Effective leadership skills; ability to influence and motivate.
• Proven ability to solve problems, work in a team environment, and meet deadlines and budgets.
• Ability to function efficiently with frequent interruptions, work well under pressure, and demonstrate flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances.
• Strong program management, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting skills, and the ability to anticipate problems and focus on details.
• Some flexibility in schedule, with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for fundraising activities and networking events.
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively.
• Experience or ability to secure significant major donor and corporate gifts.
• History of generating appointments, making the ask, and closing the solicitation.
• Growth mindset and commitment to increasing revenue to serve more children.
• Enthusiasm for articulating our mission and model to donors and community members.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or 7 years equivalent experience required
• Experience managing multi-platform marketing and fundraising campaigns.
• Thorough understanding of the population of youth (and their families) Friends of the Children walks with, and the mission of our program; experience with youth organization(s) preferred.
• Provide specific evidence of success in fundraising
• Professional experience with social media and digital marketing.