Director of Development
LGBTQ Senior Housing Inc
Job Description
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly organized, independent and proactive individual, who can bring successful experience in philanthropy and fundraising, to be our first Director of Development. This position will serve as our Senior Fundraiser, with responsibility for creating and executing a formal development and philanthropy strategy, and overseeing all development work including annual campaign, fundraising events, donor cultivation and engagement, related communications and messaging, and management of our philanthropy software and reporting tools. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will guide all aspects of our development strategy, creating an annual comprehensive development plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. The position will oversee donor and funder identification in the LGBTQ, allies, and foundation communities, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The Director will develop and manage a portfolio of relationships working with the Board and LGBTQ Senior Housing’s current friends and volunteers, to seed, grow and sustain community and corporate philanthropy relationships beyond our current donors, to support our mission and meet our financial and program goals. Along with the Executive Director, this position will identify grant opportunities to build new sources and pipelines of unrestricted and program funds. The Development Director is key in shaping the external stakeholders' impressions of LGBTQ Senior Housing as a nationally recognized leader in advocating for and building welcoming and affirming affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors. This is an exciting opportunity to design and build a robust Development function and philanthropic profile for the organization, as LGBTQ Senior Housing transitions from the successful start-up of our first community, to expand programming and build new communities.
Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board/Finance Committee, the Director of Development will develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, with design and execution of specific programs to generate and nurture the philanthropic resources necessary to support and grow LGBTQ Senior Housing’s programming and strategic initiatives. Key responsibilities include:
We are seeking a highly organized, independent and proactive individual, who can bring successful experience in philanthropy and fundraising, to be our first Director of Development. This position will serve as our Senior Fundraiser, with responsibility for creating and executing a formal development and philanthropy strategy, and overseeing all development work including annual campaign, fundraising events, donor cultivation and engagement, related communications and messaging, and management of our philanthropy software and reporting tools. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will guide all aspects of our development strategy, creating an annual comprehensive development plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. The position will oversee donor and funder identification in the LGBTQ, allies, and foundation communities, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The Director will develop and manage a portfolio of relationships working with the Board and LGBTQ Senior Housing’s current friends and volunteers, to seed, grow and sustain community and corporate philanthropy relationships beyond our current donors, to support our mission and meet our financial and program goals. Along with the Executive Director, this position will identify grant opportunities to build new sources and pipelines of unrestricted and program funds. The Development Director is key in shaping the external stakeholders' impressions of LGBTQ Senior Housing as a nationally recognized leader in advocating for and building welcoming and affirming affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors. This is an exciting opportunity to design and build a robust Development function and philanthropic profile for the organization, as LGBTQ Senior Housing transitions from the successful start-up of our first community, to expand programming and build new communities.
Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board/Finance Committee, the Director of Development will develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, with design and execution of specific programs to generate and nurture the philanthropic resources necessary to support and grow LGBTQ Senior Housing’s programming and strategic initiatives. Key responsibilities include:
- Partnering with the Executive Director in planning leadership, strategic direction, management and coordination for all aspects of the organization’s development work;
- Annual fundraising plan development to meet financial goals, for review and approval by the Board/Finance Committee, including necessary resources and an annual timeline of activities;
- Working collaboratively with and leveraging Board connections, experience and networks to design and implement fundraising and friend-raising strategies and programs, encompassing corporate partnerships, foundation relations and individual giving;
- Development and active management of relationships with high net-worth donors and prospects that result in improved donor retention, acquisition, and growth, with a particular focus on strengthening the selection of/connection to LGBTQ Senior Housing as a high profile choice for philanthropy. This includes cultivation through in person visits, phone calls, invitations to signature events, Development of a robust and data-informed engagement strategy with annual growth goals and success metrics in support of the organization’s multi-year goals;
- Oversight for management and utilization of the donor management database software, including data mining, reporting and data integrity, and ensuring appropriate use by staff to ensure accuracy;
- Development and execution of communications and messaging related to LGBTQ Senior Housing’s development and philanthropy work , including use of social media, website presence, and unique and personal learning opportunities, as well as other fundraising events and engagement opportunities. The Director is also responsible for establishing and leveraging key internal partnerships in order to achieve optimal results;
- Written and electronic communications;
- Development of virtual and in-person events for existing and new LGBTQSH donors and supporters, including major donors, volunteers and LGBTQ-community specific funders, so as to build a network of giving that reflects the diversity of our community;
- Working with consultants and other staff, prepare fundraising materials, letters and marketing materials, and an annual impact report.
The Director of Development will work collaboratively with volunteer and staff leadership to enhance their fundraising skills and management of donor communities, including
- Working with the Board to support and participate in planning and participating in fundraising activities, and encouraging Board engagement in meeting annual philanthropic targets;
- Assisting the Board where appropriate/relevant in identifying potential members and volunteers, and supporting Board led fundraising events;
- Leading, mentoring and inspiring staff and volunteers, supporting the Executive Director in strategic organizational growth, and collaborating in creating a work environment that is rewarding to staff and volunteers;
- As necessary, interacting with contractors who can help identify and implement the resources
needed to stand up the Development function; - Active engagement with the Board and Executive Director in recruiting and motivating
community and business volunteers to heighten awareness of LGBTQSH and our mission, with
goal of increased philanthropic engagement; - Fostering a culture of philanthropy within the organization.
Qualifications
LGBTQ Senior Housing recognizes that job seekers gain skills and expertise from a wide variety of life experiences and we encourage all interested candidates to share how your history is relevant to our Director of Development position. The ideal candidate will have:
- A minimum of five years of broad development experience, and a proven track record of successful fundraising, meeting established targets; experience in an LGBTQ+, small or medium-sized community-based organization is a plus;
- Experience growing donor and philanthropy within an organization, or relevant program growth;
- Experience with corporation, foundation and donor research and cultivation strategies, and
development operations; - Fluency with relevant software and knowledge of leveraging data in support of philanthropic
financial goals; - Planning and project management skills with attention to detail and the ability to meet
deadlines and manage competing demands; - Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including high level of comfort in effective
solicitation, education and presentation to donors/potential donors/funders and community
members; - Flexibility and strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills;
- A passion for LGBTQ Senior Housing’s mission, vision and goals, and a desire be part of the
growth of an innovative and committed team and culture; - Ability to problem solve;
- Willingness to travel for work functions as needed;
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, and Google drive; familiarity with donor
management software, especially MonkeyPod and DonorChoose; - Flexibility to work in office and remotely.
LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc., is antiracist, diverse, inclusive, welcoming and dedicated to changing the
world for our elders and those who love them. We recognize the countless ways so many people are
marginalized in our society – including people of color, people from working class backgrounds, people
with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA+ people. We center these people in the work we do. We strongly
encourage applications from people with these identities and those who are members of other
marginalized communities.