What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Development and Community Relations position at Growing Futures?
Director of Development and Community Relations
Hours
Full-Time
FLSA Status
Exempt
Job Summary
The Development Director serves on the senior management team to provide leadership in fund development activities to meet the program’s objectives and strategic initiatives. Provide leadership and oversight of a diversified fundraising program including grants management, donor relations, an annual giving program, planned giving, corporate giving, special events and in-kind contributions. Assume primary responsibility for securing financial support for the organization while ensuring all development activities are consistent with the organization’s mission, vision and values. The development director will monitor the development budget, calendar and strategies to generate support from governmental, corporate, community and family foundations. Supervise development staff and monitor success within defined areas of responsibility. Represent the Executive Director to the Kansas City philanthropic community as needed.
Responsibilities
Agency Development Strategy
- Plan, direct, and implement a comprehensive development plan that generates individual, corporate, government, foundation, and organizational donations and grants at a variety of levels.
- Responsible for the establishment of an annual development plan including fundraising goals showing increases year after year.
- Develop, execute and evaluate a plan of action designed to deepen and broaden long-term donor relationships with the organization resulting in increased donor involvement and/or financial support.
- Responsible for planning and executing all Growing Futures Early Education Center special events.
- Serve as a development strategist in support of the Executive Director and the Board of Directors fundraising efforts.
- Responsible for coordinating fundraising efforts in support of the organization, including the identification of major donor prospects, their cultivation, solicitation and proper stewardship of their contributed funds.
- Maintain a portfolio of high potential donors and understand donor’s area of interest and charitable giving plans and timetables.
- Develop proposals for charitable gifts and guide the process with assigned donor lists.
- Expand participation in the agency’s planned giving program. Market planned giving opportunities with supporters.
Grants Management
- Research new grant opportunities to share with leadership team and Grant Manager.
- Cultivate relationships with foundations.
- Oversee all grant letters, proposals, and applications in accordance with grant-making organizations’ preferences and guidelines to maximize the potential of grant award.
- Maintain calendar (with Grant Manager) that contains deadlines for all grant submissions, including proposals and reports.
- Work with leadership team to ensure grant/contract compliance to remain in good standing with funders.
Leadership & Supervision
- Provide senior leadership with fundraising strategies for the organization.
- Serve as a member of the senior leadership team.
- Provide leadership to the staff on the development team. Responsibilities include supervision, coaching and direction to ensure staff meets individual and team responsibilities.
Marketing and Communications
- Coordinate up-to-date mailing lists and donor database, ensuring donations are recorded and acknowledgements are sent within 48 hours of receipt the majority of the time.
- Conduct thank you calls and insure that the Executive Director conducts calls when it is deemed best practice.
- Serve as the primary staff support for the Fund Development Committee.
- Oversee development and implementation of all public relations activities including E-blast and Annual Report.
- Develop and implement comprehensive marketing plan for the agency.
- Develop social media calendar and manage social media communications.
- Serve as the point person for the agency website ensuring accuracy of content and user friendliness.
Other Job Responsibilities
- Maintain a professional presentation of self and Growing Futures when working with vendors and in the community.
- Attend professional development trainings and report new information to team.
- Attend and participate in networking opportunities to further community awareness and build relationships.
- Invite guests to Crayon Box Tours to further community awareness and education.
- Ability and understanding to work in a program serving a high-risk, low-income population.
- Maintain and ensure confidentiality and privacy of Growing Futures.
- Uphold management decisions in word and action.
- All Growing Futures employees are mandated reporters for suspicion of child abuse and neglect.
- Set-up tables and chairs in meeting room as the need arises.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Flexible hours and some evening meetings required.
Required Experience
Knowledge and Critical Skills/Expertise
- Prior experience in a fundraising capacity with a proven history of direct solicitation.
- Experience in the areas , planned giving, major donor development and annual fundraising.
- Excellent research skills.
- Knowledge of fundraising databases with capability to design and provide dashboard reports.
- Excellent interpersonal, leadership, organization, verbal and written communication skills.
- Technical computer skills necessary to do the job well, including but not limited to Microsoft Office.
- Ability to meet and deal tactfully with the public and to communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing.
- Ability to articulate a persuasive and compelling case verbally and in writing; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.
- Resourceful and well organized.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with co-workers, community partners, and supporters.
- Ability to work well in a team environment, handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines.
Required Education
Bachelor’s degree in English, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications or other related field preferred.