Part-time Contract Development Director

The Development Director will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing fundraising activities with an initial focus on the Future Skills & Mentor Network and Carriage House Renovations. This role requires a proven track record in comprehensive fundraising, including major donor cultivation, grant writing, event management, and campaign leadership. The Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders to achieve ambitious fundraising goals and build sustainable philanthropic support for the organization. Upon successful completion of the Entrepreneurial Skills Initiative fundraising, this role will transition to encompass broader organizational and/or other special project fundraising.

Key Responsibilities:

I. Strategic Fundraising Leadership & Planning 

• Develop and Execute Comprehensive Development Plans: In collaboration with the Executive Director, design, implement, and manage multi-year and annual development plans with SMART goals, as needed, for the Entrepreneurial Skills Initiative and Carriage House Renovations. This includes identifying funding priorities, revenue targets, and strategic fundraising approaches.

• Campaign Management: Lead and manage capital campaigns and program-specific fundraising initiatives, including developing campaign themes, establishing giving levels, engaging key stakeholders, and stewardship follow-through.

• Prospect Research and Pipeline Management: Identify, research, and qualify prospective individual, corporate, and foundation donors with the capacity and interest to support the Entrepreneurial Skills Initiative and Carriage House Renovations. Develop and manage robust donor relations.

• Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to leverage their networks and support fundraising efforts, eliminate duplicate efforts, ensure cohesive mission support, and prepare the ED and Board for donor meetings and solicitations.

• Future Transition Planning: Develop a strategic plan for transitioning fundraising efforts to include general organizational and/or other special project fundraising once the Future Skills & Mentor Network and Carriage House fundraising goals have been met.

II. Donor Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship 

• Major Donor Management: Develop and manage a portfolio of major individual donors, corporations, and foundations. Cultivate relationships through personalized outreach, meetings, tours, and regular communication.

• Direct Solicitation: Lead and execute direct solicitations of major gifts, pledges, and grants for the Entrepreneurial Skills Initiative and Carriage House Renovations, ensuring alignment with donor interests and organizational needs.

• Grant Seeking and Management: Oversee the full grant lifecycle, including identifying grant opportunities, writing compelling proposals, managing application submissions, and ensuring timely and accurate reporting for the Entrepreneurial Skills Initiative and Carriage House Renovations.

• Stewardship and Recognition: Implement a comprehensive stewardship plan to acknowledge, appreciate, and engage donors, fostering long-term relationships and ensuring continued support. This includes personalized thank you letters, impact reports, and donor recognition.

• Donor Communications: Craft compelling and tailored communications for various donor segments, articulating the impact of their contributions.

III. Fundraising Operations & Management 

• Event Planning and Execution: Organize and implement fundraising events and campaigns (e.g., annual galas, online campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraisers) that align with strategic objectives and engage diverse audiences, as needed with budget constraints.

• Annual Giving and Fundraising Drives: Develop and manage annual giving campaigns and other fundraising drives to broaden the donor base and cultivate future major donors.

• Database Management: Ensure accurate and up-to-date donor records to facilitate effective donor management, tracking, and reporting.

• Performance Tracking and Reporting: Monitor fundraising progress against goals, prepare regular reports for the Executive Director and Board of Directors, and analyze data to inform future strategies. The position will be self-sustainable after 18 months. 

IV. Marketing & Communications Collaboration 

• Promotional Strategy: Collaborate closely with the marketing manager to develop and implement integrated marketing and communications strategies that promote fundraising initiatives, enhance brand visibility, and articulate the impact of the Entrepreneurial Skills Initiative and Carriage House Renovations.

• Content Development: Provide input and content for fundraising materials, including brochures, annual reports, website content, social media posts, and press releases.

• Storytelling: Identify and share compelling stories of student success and program impact to inspire donor engagement.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Additional certification preferred in a relevant field (e.g., Fundraising, Non-profit Management, Business Administration, Communications).

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraising, with a proven track record of securing significant gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing comprehensive fundraising plans, including capital campaigns and program-specific initiatives.

• Strong experience in major donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Exceptional grant writing and grant management skills with a portfolio of successful grant applications.

• Experience in organizing and executing fundraising events and campaigns.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate a compelling case for support.

• Strong professional and interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, board members, staff, and volunteers.

• Effectively communicate with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees while completing responsibilities independently.

• Strategic thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, with strong time management skills, and able to manage multiple projects remotely and simultaneously.

• Work flexible hours, as needed for events and donor meetings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with organizations supporting individuals with disabilities or educational institutions.

• CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) certification.

Contract Duration & Compensation: This is a contract position with a duration of 18 months, after which the position will need to be self-sustaining. Compensation will be competitive and based on experience.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and relevant work samples to directorkcbas@gmail.com. In your cover letter, please highlight your experience in capital campaigns and program-specific fundraising.