What are the responsibilities and job description for the Development Director position at Spark Central?

POSITION OVERVIEW

Spark Central is seeking a dynamic Development Director to join our creative and passionate team, led by the Executive Director. Guided by our mission, the Development Director works collaboratively with the Executive Director, Development Committee, and other board and staff members to create and implement an annual Development Plan. This role focuses on building fundraising and relationship-building capacity to ensure financial sustainability and foster new organizational growth.

The Development Director will report directly to the Executive Director and play a key role in driving Spark Central’s fundraising, donor development, and event planning efforts. This is not a grant-writing position, though grant-writing skills will be beneficial.

ORGANIZATION

Spark Central is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that ignites the creativity, innovation, and imagination necessary for people to forge the path to their best future. We break barriers to creativity like cost, confidence, and access by offering transformative programs, access to innovative technology, and a welcoming creative community for people of all economic backgrounds.

As a charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of the community to keep our membership and programs available at no cost so that income is never a barrier to opportunity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising & Donor Development :

Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual and corporate donors through personalized interactions, formal communications, and engagement events.

Develop strategies to identify and secure new funding sources, including sponsorships, in-kind donations, and major gifts.

Assist in securing small grants and ensuring timely reporting.

Event Planning & Execution :

Oversee planning and implementation of major fundraising events, including the annual Spark Salon, donor appreciation events, and friend-raising initiatives.

Coordinate and execute smaller networking opportunities and community engagement events to grow Spark Central’s supporter base.

Strategic Development :

Collaborate with the Executive Director and Development Committee to create and execute an annual Development Plan with clear revenue goals.

Analyze fundraising metrics and campaign performance to inform future strategies and activities.

Relationship Management :

Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners.

Work with the board and volunteers to enhance fundraising efforts and engagement activities.

Seek out and attend networking events in the community to expand Spark Central’s reach.

Administrative Oversight :

Ensure accurate and timely data entry and reporting within the CRM database, including donor records, gift processing, and tax receipts.

Collaborate with staff on marketing and communications strategies to support development goals, including donor newsletters and campaign messaging.

QUALIFICATIONS

Proven experience in fundraising, donor development, and event planning.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on relationship-building and donor engagement.

Experience managing donor portfolios and implementing cultivation strategies to build a robust donor pipeline.

Familiarity with CRM database management and reporting (Kindful or similar) and project management tools.

Proficiency with modern office technology, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, website platforms, and email marketing tools (e.g., MailChimp).

Ability to align donor interests with organizational priorities and develop strategic fundraising plans.

Strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse individuals, including BIPOC and historically underserved communities.

Commitment to equitable fundraising practices and fostering an inclusive culture in donor and community interactions.

Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships with the Board of Directors and leverage their networks for donor engagement.

Familiarity with arts or community-based nonprofit organizations is preferred.

CFRE certification or willingness to obtain is a plus.

Ability to travel locally for donor meetings and community networking events.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

VITAL CHARACTER TRAITS

Spark Central values collaboration, self-management, and initiative. Team members are encouraged to develop projects that benefit the organization as a whole while prioritizing team goals and responsibilities. Key traits for success in this role include accountability, proactive communication, and a sense of humor.

COMPENSATION

Salary : $68,000 - $75,000 depending on experience

Benefits :

Kaiser Permanente Silver Access PPO medical plan

Delta Dental plan

Two weeks of paid vacation annually

Paid sick and safe leave (1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours rolled over annually)

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time position with a Monday through Friday schedule. Evening and weekend availability is required for development events and donor meetings. Remote work is possible for part of this role, though frequent in-person participation at meetings and events is essential.

Salary : $68,000 - $75,000

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