Director-Strategic Giving
VERMONT FOODBANK
- Barre, VT
- $39.23 per hour
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Translate VF's strategic direction (including mission, vision, goals and strategies) into compelling funding offers for use in annual giving, special initiatives and planned giving. Develop messaging and requests, in coordination with Philanthropy Team, that focus on the needs of VF and that engage, retain and motivate major donors.
- Lead the organizational alignment of short- and long-term strategy for revenue generation from the major donor segment (individuals, corporate partners, government and private foundations), including pipeline development of donors at leadership gift levels and management of capital campaigns.
- Define and track performance measures for major, corporate and foundation donor
- Work with Marketing and Communications team to develop coordinated donor pipeline strategy, including strategy support for annual solicitations through direct mail and digital campaigns and through ongoing stewardship activity.
- Cultivate a thorough, working knowledge of VF's goals, mission, and community needs in order to articulate and package organizational priorities for stakeholders. Work with program and operations staff to generate strategic funding opportunities.
- Oversee efforts which ensure major donors are informed of key organizational initiatives and impact through continuous and relationship-oriented communication.
- Collaborate with direct marketing and grant staff to ensure fundraising channels are aligned.
- Manage a right-sized caseload of key donors and prospects. Cultivate and steward relationships and solicit financial support.
- Create relationship and revenue goals for each donor based on history of giving, research, and personal knowledge of interest and capacity. Create a foundational communication plan for each donor and faithfully execute that plan. Support team in doing this work.
- Secure financial support through both in-person/virtual solicitations and written proposals.
- Work across departments to obtain information in order to create offers and report back on how the donor is making a difference.
- Ensure that strategic giving team: maintains accurate donor records and captures contact activities in the database; ensure that gifts are acknowledged in a timely way, that pledges are accurately documented, and that gift commitments are fulfilled.
- Develops, motivates, and supervises an effective team, with an emphasis on collaboration and partnership, whose priorities and performance are consistent with the organization's mission, vision, strategic direction, and values. Responsibilities include hiring and onboarding, performance and workload management, goal setting, conflict management, establishing back-up plans and cross-training, coaching and personal/professional development planning.
- Provide collaborative leadership and management of major gift fundraising efforts. Ensure the team is resourced for successful identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors.
- Assign and draft donor communications for the CEO, CPO, board members and other high-level volunteers. Prepare and resource team members for meetings with current and prospective major donors, and oversee follow-up.
- Recruit and manage fundraising consultants as-needed.
- Contributes to fostering a culture of continuous learning and cross-departmental collaboration.
- Prioritizes staying informed about the work, needs and priorities of the organization.
- Represents and advocates for the needs of the team, donors and other stakeholders to Chief Philanthropy Officer.
- Collaborates with CPO on organizational budgeting and establishing annual and multi-year funding goals with corresponding plans.
- This position will occasionally be required to travel to other Foodbank locations and to attend required meetings, trainings, etc. Some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected
- Help identify individuals for board candidacy
- Participate in department and full staff meetings
- Maintains current knowledge of industry best practices and ethical fundraising
- Represent the organization at key donor and stakehold events
- Some nights and weekends required
- Assist in developing annual department strategic plan and budget in conjunction with team.
- Participate in management-level meetings and planning sessions and attend Board meetings when requested.
- Participate in committees, events, and workgroups as required.
- Assist with special events as required.
- Work cooperatively and be able to communicate effectively with staff and volunteers to meet and sustain Foodbank goals.
- Positively contribute to an organizational culture of safe and secure food handling, warehousing, and distribution.
- The Foodbank relies on volunteers every day to fulfill our mission. All Foodbank employees must support our culture of philanthropy by treating every volunteer with appreciation and respect.
- In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, Vermont Foodbank is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all of its employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.
- Other duties as assigned by the Chief Philanthropy Officer
- Minimum education requirement: Bachelor's degree or comparable work experience.
- Minimum five years' experience in nonprofit development with a focus on individual giving. Track record of successfully managing high-level relationships with a proven record of soliciting major gifts.
- Experience managing a team/employees preferred
- Excellent organizational skills and follow through.
- Excellent listening, communication, emotional intelligence and customer service skills.
- Able to handle sensitive and confidential matters in an appropriate and professional way.
- Able to prioritize and work on multiple projects at once, and adapt well to changing priorities.
- Able to solicit gifts.
- Able to thrive in a role that is both autonomous and highly collaborative.
- Commitment to the highest levels of ethical fundraising.
- Commitment to equity and inclusion with an inherent drive to correct racial injustices and advance internal anti-racist initiatives.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Must have strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, teleconferencing applications, and familiarity with database management. Comfort using wealth screening software.
- Experience with Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge strongly preferred, or other donor database.
- A valid Vermont Driver's License.
- 3-year motor vehicle report (MVR) showing a clean driving record.
- 3
- Major Gifts Manager, Corporate Philanthropy Manager, Grants Manager/s
- Budgetary accountability - partners with manager and peers to develop revenue and expense budget for department and in ongoing monitoring and forecasting.
- Assist in developing annual department strategic plan and budget in conjunction with team.