National Director of Development

Your primary responsibility is to raise funds by connecting visionary philanthropists with transformative programs that prepare people with disabilities for rewarding job opportunities. Your work will not only fuel our Unified Work initiative to provide 1 million job related learning experiences, but also shape the future of employability training across the nation. 

Essential Functions: 

·        Strategic Planning and Execution: Develop and implement a comprehensive national fundraising strategy that aligns with MDI's mission and goals. This includes setting clear objectives, timelines, and performance metrics for various fundraising channels such as direct mail, online campaigns, major gifts, and grant applications.

·        Donor Development and Stewardship: Cultivate and maintain national relationships with a diverse donor base, including individuals, corporations, and foundations. This involves identifying potential donors, initiating outreach, nurturing ongoing relationships, and creating tailored appreciation strategies to ensure long-term engagement and support.

·        Campaign Management:  Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising campaigns, ensuring they are well-coordinated, meet financial targets, and effectively communicate the organization’s impact. This includes annual giving campaigns, capital campaigns, and special initiatives tailored to support Unified Work.

·        Grant Management:  Oversee the grant-seeking process, including research, proposal writing, and reporting. Ensure compliance with grant conditions and deadlines, and maintain strong relationships with grantors by demonstrating the impact and effectiveness of funded programs.

·        Lobbying Management: Oversee MDI’s external lobbying firm to ensure that its interests are effectively represented at the state level. Establish and maintain relationships with key legislative stakeholders, including policymakers and government officials. Provide regular updates to the executive team and recommend action plans.

·        Team Leadership and Development:  Lead, mentor, and expand the fundraising team by setting clear goals, providing ongoing training, and fostering a collaborative, motivated work environment. Ensure that the team has the resources and guidance needed to succeed in their roles and contribute to the organization's broader objectives. (Development Specialist, Marketing Manager, 2-contract grant writers)

·        Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are crucial, as this role involves interacting with a diverse set of employees, donors, board members, foundations, and other stakeholders. The director must have the ability to craft compelling narratives that convey MDIs mission and impact effectively to build and maintain relationships.

·        Financial Oversight: Monitor fundraising income streams and expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility. Prepare accurate and timely reports that reflect fundraising progress against goals. Adjust strategies as necessary to improve efficiency and effectiveness in resource utilization.

·        Advocacy:  Collaborate with Strategic Marketing team to develop messaging that effectively conveys the importance of workforce development for people with disabilities. Serve as a key spokesperson for fundraising events and donor meetings, passionately advocating for the organization’s mission and the critical need for support. This includes collaborative development of an annual report.

·        Employ excellent, effective, respectful, and persuasive spoken and written communication skills

·        Ensure adherence to all current organizational and national fundraising policies

·        Maintain highest levels of ethics and confidentiality

·        Maintain a safe work environment for oneself and others, including wearing mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

·        Other duties as assigned.

 Qualifications:

·        Bachelor’s degree in  business, marketing, journalism, related fields, or equivalent experience

·        Fifteen or more years related experience

·        Ability to effective identify, nurture, and seek contributions from new and existing relationships

·        Continuing education and certification for fundraising professionals is desirable

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·        Ability to operate basic computer equipment and peripherals, a donor database, as well as company standard software

·        Able to effectively perform all basic mathematical functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages)

·        Ability to effectively read and interpret industry-specific documentation

·        Experience working with people with diverse disabilities

·        Advanced knowledge of development processes

·        Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check

·        Satisfactory completion of DHS Net Study

·        Verified eligibility for employment in the United States

Environment and Physical Demands:

·        A traditional work week (M-F) with MDI core hours. Work during non-traditional hours periodically required.

·        Basic vision is required

·        Works in a typical office setting which includes;

·        Sit, use  computer monitor, mouse, and keyboard, standard telephone, hearing and talking

·        Occasionally lift, reach, rotate hands, stoop, kneel, or crouch

·        Occasionally works in a typical factory environment (high noise levels, machinery, conveyors, dust, chemicals, odors and temperature fluctuation.)

Other 

·        Minnesota based

·        Not Remote, hybrid work environment.

·        Frequent travel within state, up to 20% travel outside of state, International limited

Salary:

·        The annual base salary for this role is $140,000. 

The list of essential job functions and qualifications contained in this job description is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.  Tasks are to be completed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Salary : $140,000