Supports the strategic fundraising efforts of John Randolph Foundation, a community foundation supporting the Tri-Cities region, by designing, implementing, evaluating and refining the Foundation’s development activities. Personally identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gift donors and prospects. Fosters collaborative relationships with Foundation officers, trustees, and volunteers by coordinating joint solicitation efforts, developing internal processes and procedures, and aligning marketing and outreach efforts for multiple development programs and initiatives.
Development Duties
- Develops long and short-range plans and respective goals and objectives for the development program and assists with long and short-range plans for the entire organization.
- Conducts research to identify prospects and creates strategies to match prospects’ interests to the strategic initiatives of the Foundation.
- Prepares annual budget based on strategic development and marketing plans.
Administration
- Responsible for management of the following programs: annual giving, endowments, legacy giving, monthly giving, and special events.
- Establishes and maintains development policies and procedures that comply with current legislation, IRS regulations, and best practices by conducting research, seeking legal advice/financial counsel, and gaining insight from other development and foundation officers.
- Makes effective use of the existing donor database and other Foundation resources to ensure appropriate management of donors, prospects, and volunteers.
- Regularly reports progress to the executive director and the development and endowment committees. Prepares committee meeting materials and follows up as required by the committee.
Cultivation
- Applies experience and expertise to the mechanics of obtaining immediate and long-range gifts by cultivating relationship with current and new donors and building community support.
- Establishes, maintains, improves, and evaluates ongoing programs of philanthropic support involving private, public and governmental sources, individuals, organizations, corporate and institutional donors.
- Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with Foundation colleagues and trustees to maximize total gift revenue, plan solicitation strategies, and leverage joint solicitation efforts.
- Encourages on-going financial and volunteer support from trustees and staff.
- Coordinates with the administrative associate to ensure that donor base is current and gift acknowledgements are executed in a timely manner.
Public Relations/Marketing Duties
- Plans, manages, and executes the Foundation’s public relations and marketing.
- Works with all media outlets to increase public awareness of the Foundation’s activities and accomplishments. Through positive media coverage, maintains a solid reputation and increases financial support for the Foundation.
- Responsible for printed materials and publications including: semi-annual publications, brochures, press releases, pamphlets and fund-raising materials, letterhead, correspondence, direct mail packages for special events.
- Updates the Foundation’s website as needed.
- Plans implements and coordinates the Foundation’s participation in special events including but not limited to information sessions and donor cultivation events.
Marketing
- With input from staff, develops marketing plans for the Foundation’s programs and initiatives. Executes marketing plans and conducts evaluation of marketing efforts.
- Researches, writes, edits and/or oversees the preparation of persuasive, accurate and correct solicitations, proposals, annual reports, correspondence, and other development-related communication.
- Works with executive director to manage the Foundation’s brand and create clear marketing messages. Plans and conducts programs and activities designed to increase the visibility of the Foundation.
- Handles placement of advertising and coordinates purchasing of promotional items used in marketing efforts.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred.
- Demonstrated success in securing gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources. A minimum of 5 to 7 years’ experience in areas of duties and responsibilities identified.
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability interact effectively with prospects, donors, volunteers, trustees, and colleagues in a wide range of roles.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Ability to conduct research, gather data, and prepare effective, accurate and timely reports to support development objectives.
- Ability to exercise good judgement, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.
- Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment.
- Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community.
- Prior experience in nonprofits, foundation, and/or funder sector preferred.
- Knowledge of the nonprofit landscape in the Tri-Cities area preferred.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative.