Director of Mission Advancement

Summary: The Director of Mission Advancement is responsible for leading CASA's mission advancement strategy, with a focus on fundraising, donor cultivation, stewardship, and strategic communications efforts. This role involves managing CASA’s resource development efforts, including implementing fundraising strategies, expanding donor engagement, and overseeing CASA’s public communications. The Director will work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and senior leadership to meet CASA’s fundraising and mission-related goals.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Work with the management team to set annual unrestricted, capital, and program-restricted fundraising goals that align with CASA’s strategic plan.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, written Resource Development Plan, updated annually, with key performance indicators to measure donor acquisition, growth, and retention at all levels.
• Strategically expand Resource Development efforts to achieve overall growth year over year.
• Create and manage capital campaigns and major gift initiatives focused on housing development.
• Manage Major Gifts efforts to increase the number of gifts at the $25K level and above.
• Work closely with the Resource Development team to create intentional pipelines for average, mid-level, and major donor progression.
• Involve the CEO and other management team colleagues in high-impact resource development efforts.
• Collaborate with the Director, Housing Solution Fund and Donor and Communications Specialist to establish reports that track the effectiveness of fundraising strategies and evaluate progress.
• Create and manage the Resource Development department budget.

• Identify and encourage innovative approaches for building and increasing philanthropic support.
• Maintain donor interest and motivate donors to renew or increase their level of involvement through innovative cultivation strategies for each constituent group.
• Ensure appropriate stewardship of gifts, including impact-focused acknowledgment letters, phone calls, visits, and honors gift policies, in adherence to the donor bill of rights.
• Develop strategies to better engage donors, understanding their connections, interests, and abilities.
• Ensure that grant applications and reports are submitted in a timely manner.
• Continuously test and analyze the effectiveness of strategies to optimize donor engagement.
• Continuously cultivate a culture of philanthropy at the Board level and throughout the organization.

• Develop and implement targeted strategies to obtain a first gift and encourage donors to renew and increase their support.
• Work with staff and volunteers to determine points of connection with potential sponsors and donors.
• Engage CASA Board and committee members in making the case for funding to their colleagues and friends.
• Conduct research to determine the best prospects with interest and ability.
• Make public presentations to constituents and groups of all types to increase support for CASA’s mission.

• Lead as a member of CASA’s senior management team.
• Attend full Board meetings to report on fundraising progress to date, including special projects and engaging the Board in fundraising and communication strategies.
• Participate in the Strategic Planning committee and other special projects.
• Lead the Capital Campaign(s) committee for multi-year fundraising initiatives.
• Conduct annual evaluations of all Resource Development team members, providing coaching and support as needed.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
Specific key performance indicators will be set each fiscal year to track progress on:

• Total Funds Raised vs. Budget Goals: Track the overall funds raised, comparing it to the established annual goals.
• New Donor Acquisition: Measure the number of new donors acquired each year.
• Capital Campaign Progress: Evaluate the progress toward capital campaign goals and major gift initiatives.
• Major Gift Acquisition and Retention: Track the number of major gifts ($25K and up) secured and retained.
• New Donor Retention Rate: Measure the retention rate for new donors year over year.
• Overall Donor Retention Rate: Track the overall retention rate of all donors across all levels.
• Donors by Giving Level: Track the number of donors across various giving levels (e.g., low, mid-level, major donors).
• Average Donation: Measure the average gift size to assess donor engagement and financial support.
• Grants Applied for and Grants Awarded: Track the number of grant applications submitted and awarded.
• Website and Social Media Performance/Communications Analytics: Measure the effectiveness of CASA’s website, social media platforms, and public communications in engaging donors and prospects.
• Strong Working Relationships Across Organization: Assess the collaboration and engagement with senior leadership, board members, and staff within CASA.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervises the Annual Fund Manager and Donor Coordinator.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform all duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches, articles, and reports using original or innovative techniques. Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Math Ability:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, statistical inference, and fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions applied to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions and deal with abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and other relevant software tools. Experience with donor database systems and communication platforms.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in fund development, with proven success in growing donor bases and raising six-figure gifts.
• Knowledge and experience with affordable housing programs and CASA’s mission.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Valid Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills and Other Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising theories, principles, and practices.
• Ability to develop and manage effective donor relationships and strategies for acquisition, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with grant writing, capital campaigns, and major gift programs.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Ability to engage and motivate others in a collaborative, team-oriented culture.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.