Description

A Mission to Shelter and Support

We walk alongside those who have fallen on hard times to help them find hope and a home.

We have a passion and mission to support the underserved. To help navigate those less fortunate than us through the barriers they encounter. To bridge the gap between homelessness and housing so that individuals and families do not have to go without shelter and support. So they have a new hope for a path forward.

Located in Ames, Iowa, The Bridge Home has been helping people since 1985 and serves the Two Rivers Region, five counties in central Iowa — Story, Marshall, Boone, Greene and Hardin. The need is great.

We are a team of committed, passionate, problem solvers who support each other and work together as a team. We value our employees and work with them to achieve our goals. We work in a professional, family-centered atmosphere and always remember to laugh and celebrate our successes.

Job Summary

The community & donor relations director is accountable for execution of the philanthropy strategy including minor gift cultivation, volunteer management, and oversight of in-kind gifts. The community & donor relations director will follow the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Standards. An ability to empathize with donors, understand donor priorities and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key. You will be expected to energize team members, persuade prospects and persevere to a successful conclusion.

Requirements

Specific Job Duties

1. Work with team members to develop strategies to achieve goals for fundraising priorities.

2. Plan and complete prospect engagement opportunities and present gift proposals.

3. Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 125 assigned prospects. You will develop new prospect relationships while engaging previous and current donors. Working with direct service teams, you will partner and identify prospects capable of making major gifts of $25,000 or greater.

4. Travel extensively in central Iowa to establish and nurture long-lasting, strong donor relationships with the end goal of proposing and closing major gift donations.

5. Work independently and collaboratively with all levels of administration, staff, donors and board members on a variety of donor-centered tasks and activities including special events.

6. Communicate in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes. You will write donor correspondence, contact reports and proposals, and provide briefings on program status. You will also communicate The Bridge Home’s role and donor’s wishes to key leaders and staff at The Bridge Home.

Expectations

· Ability to achieve ambitious goals. You should have a remarkable track record for leading successful initiatives with measurable results.

· An ability to empathize with donors, understand donor priorities and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key. 

· Demonstrate concepts of how to organize, prioritize and plan work to meet deadlines, data collection principles and utilize confidentiality requirements. 

· Problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. You can champion donor-centeredness by understanding the desires of the donors and creating simple solutions.

· The ability to make donors feel valued because you are sensitive to their needs.

· Savvy relationship-building and leadership skills and be an excellent communicator. You should be articulate and persuasive with diplomacy and tact to represent The Bridge Home to multiple constituents, donors, and campus leadership. You must also have demonstrable skills in persuasive speaking and influencing others.

· Direct experience using a donor database, prospect research and other wealth screening tools to aid in your moves management process.

· Excellent writing and speaking skills and the ability to use them to compel individuals to action.

· Ability to take action and move forward, while still being organized, prepared, detail-oriented, and consistently follow through on promises.

· Ability to work under pressure, make appropriate and effective decisions, and multi-task. 

· Proven ability to secure individual and major gifts and meet objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in related field, fundraising certification or equivalent experience. Prefer a minimum of one year of direct face-to face fundraising experience. 
• Must demonstrate concepts of how to organize, prioritize and plan work to meet deadlines, data collection principles and utilize confidentiality requirements. 
• Must be detail oriented, reliable, thorough, and exhibit follow through. 
• Evidence of an ability to secure individual and major gifts and meet objectives.
• The ability to make donors feel valued.
• Direct experience using a donor database, prospect research and other wealth screening tools to aid in your moves management process.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Possess excellent writing and speaking skills and the ability to use them to compel individuals to action.
• Ability to take action and move forward, while still being organized, prepared, detail-oriented and consistently follow through on promises.
• Determination and an ability to bring people in line with a vision and motivate them to reach goals.
• Ability to work under pressure, make appropriate and effective decisions, and multi-task. 
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Must demonstrate knowledge of Microsoft Office Software and basic computer skills.
• Creativity, patience, a sense of humor and a belief in our organizational mission, vision, and values. 

Please include cover letter with application.