Advancement Specialist

Description

Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence 

Position: Advancement Specialist

Location: Philadelphia, PA (Hybrid) 

Employment Status: Full time

Reporting to: Director, Individual Giving and Donor Stewardship

Salary:  $48,000 to $54,000  

AGENCY OVERVIEW 

JOIN A FORWARD-THINKING AGENCY THAT SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUTH ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBBSI) is the largest BBBS agency in the state and fourth largest in the nation. Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth, while working collaboratively to strengthen the quality of the mentoring field and close the mentoring gap.   

JOB DESCRIPTION 

BBBSI seeks an Advancement Specialist. This position reports to the Director of Individual Giving and Donor Stewardship. This position is a critical member of the team responsible for the successful meeting & event execution associated with BBBSI’s external volunteer and advisory groups, including but not limited to the Agency’s annual fund, regional advisory boards, and alumni. BBBSI is seeking a fundraising professional to assist sustainable growth, and work with key stakeholders to support fundraising efforts in each of the geographic regions, grow membership, and spearhead third party events led by these groups with one of the country’s leading BBBS agencies.  

Candidates with a strong connection to the community that BBBS Independence serves and the Southeastern Pennsylvania/Southern New Jersey area are given preferential consideration. Moderate travel to branch offices, community and mission partners is required, as is some nights and weekend work. 

You will love it here if you 1) set the bar high 2) are intentional and thoughtful about your choices 3) collaborate as a means to community solutions 4) are positive, can-do, and solution-oriented 5) embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and 6) are accountable and get it done.  

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES      

Leadership, Management, Accountability

· Coordinate and align standard practices for Regional Advisory Boards (RABs) as well as alumni (Bigs and Board member) engagement, ensuring growth and effective engagement 

o Support meetings, planning, and event execution of the boards to further the donor pipeline, and visibility in the community which includes but is not limited to managing database records, creating marketing materials and direct support of RAB members.

o Serve as the agency staff liaison at the RAB meetings in partnership with the Director. Partner and inspire RAB members by, aligning standard practices and facilitating goal-oriented outcomes. 

o Attend meetings as the agency representative and relay critical, information to the Director. 

o Serve as point of contact for RAB fundraising events and liaison for recruitment activities. 

o Organize RAB leaders' meetings (at least every six months) with CEO to share best practices and successes.

· Align standard practices, as appropriate, for RABS and alumni (Bigs and Board members) in partnership with individual giving and agency team members.

o Support planning, execution, and efficient growth of RAB and alumni engagement to further the donor pipeline, visibility in the community, and support volunteer recruitment. 

o Partner and inspire members and alumni, aligning standard practices, establishing goal-oriented outcomes, and serving as the agency staff liaison at the meetings, as directed. 

o Meet regularly with committee chairs to discuss annual planning, recruitment, and meeting agendas. 

Fundraising 

· Collaborate with Director, Individual Giving to ensure the timely execution of deliverables related to annual fund appeals, both mailed and electronic. Coordinate direct mail and e-blast solicitors including but not limited to operational tasks such as working with vendors, setting up fundraising software, and other related key solicitation tasks. 

· Facilitate key peer-to-peer fundraising efforts leveraging RABs, alumni, and other volunteer groups.

· Perform outreach to annual fund supporters and potential donors, as required. 

Gift Entry & Donor Relations 

· Perform Gift Entry and corresponding acknowledgements (in coordination with Manager, Data Analytics & Compliance)

· Monitor, track, and reconcile acknowledgment output, maintaining current and complete records in the donor database. Coordinate with other teams to ensure acknowledgment information is entered into the database and otherwise catalogued in a timely fashion. 

· Manage the acknowledgement process.?Standardize and maintain all pledge/letter templates and implement them consistently.?Customize communications and actions for major donors as appropriate.

Stewardship 

· Develop stewardship strategy, tactical plan, and metrics.? 

· Perform a broad range of stewardship functions related to major funders and high net worth individuals including stewardship correspondence (including CEO) and impact reporting to donors to build and sustain positive relationships between BBBSI and its major funders, in collaboration with the Advancement Team? 

· Develop and maintain innovative ways to ensure that the stewardship module of the donor database is updated and maintained accurately with donor/program beneficiary information and engagement plans? 

· Execute customized special projects such as seasonal stewardship videos, photo books, and specialized gifts for major funders.?Evaluate engagement opportunities for lower-level donors (e.g., newsletters, event invitations, surveys, polls)

· Develop and produce Donor Background/Bios including history, context of relationship, and other desktop research on donor prospects, including donor potential, wealth screening and giving capacity. 

Donor Recognition 

· Establish a donor recognition plan and standards for the agency and monitor compliance? 

· Assist in the development of annual donor “honor roll” listing for annual reports 

· Ensure donors are recognized in appropriate ways (e.g., end of year letter, agency impact report/website, other)? 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS 

Academic Requirements: High School Diploma and 4 years of experience, or Associates Degree and 2 years of relevant experience or Bachelors Degree.

Professional Requirements: Ability to work with many diverse constituencies. It is crucial that the successful candidate have experience managing volunteers, working with and building boards, and/or other committee management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and donor CRM packages required (Salesforce preferred). Must have daily and dependable access to a car, valid driver's license, and meet State-required automobile insurance minimums. 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 

Must demonstrate team work and collaboration that helps establish effective relationships and an appropriate rapport with people; have attentive and active listening skills; take a sales/marketing approach to interaction with volunteers; are results/outcome oriented; are approachable, organized; and demonstrate sound judgment in a leadership capacity. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing work in an office environment and include the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

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:  the ability to work independently; remain sedentary for extended periods of time (6 hours per day); lift 10-25lbs; push, pull, bend kneel, as needed for normal operations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Cover letters and resumes can be submitted online at: https://www.independencebigs.org/about/careers/. 

Note: only those applicants believed to be viable candidates for this opportunity will be contacted. No phone calls or 3rd party solicitation please.

WHO SHOULD APPLY  

Individuals possessing a desire to work for a strong mission driven organization should apply. At BBBSI, we serve more than 1,500 children annually in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties in New Jersey.  

Our aspiration is to develop an organization that reflects our constituent base. BBBSI promotes a culture of inclusion and seeks talented staff from diverse backgrounds. BBBSI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, first and second-generation immigrants, and people from low-income families, or any legally protected factor.   

** The agency has transitioned into a hybrid model for most positions in the agency. Ability to commute to the office 3 days a week is required. COVID-19 vaccinations or medical/religious exemptions are required. ***

Salary : $48,000 - $54,000