Job Summary
Golden Crescent CASA is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Development Director to join our team. As the Development Director, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of our fundraising and development efforts. This includes creating and implementing strategies to secure funding from various sources, managing donor relationships, and coordinating fundraising events. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in proposal writing, budgeting, and grant writing.
Golden Crescent Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc.
Title: Director of Development
Status: Exempt / Full-time
Reports to: Executive Director
Based in: Victoria, TX
Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume to gccasa@goldencrescentcasa.org.
No phone calls, please.
If selected for an interview, applicant will be asked to submit a fundraising portfolio that demonstrates a proven track record of proposal and campaign success.
JOB SUMMARY:
Our Director of Development is a key leader who contributes to the agency's fiscal health and deepens trust and confidence from the community. Following donor-centered philanthropic practices, this role leads fundraising strategies to maximize financial gifts provided through an extensive grant portfolio, annual fund, events and special campaigns. This position holds primary responsibility for the grants management life cycle from research and application to accountability reporting.
This position works closely with executives and at times supervises staff, requiring cross-departmental collaboration. To succeed in this position, candidates should have strong project and process management skills; be talented in communicating internal operations to an external audience through written proposals and in-person presentations; be resourceful, creative, analytical, adaptable, and organized with the ability to build rapport within our team and with the greater community to attract donors and supporters. Exceptional written communication, computer, and problem-solving skills are essential. The ideal candidate will be a professional contributor to fundraising and relationship building; love technical writing and prospect research; enjoy both behind-the-scenes work and public relations; and have a passion to share the CASA mission.
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required in Non-Profit Management, Business, Communications, Public Administration or related field.
- 5 years of relevant work experience in proposal writing, fundraising, or donor relations; non-profit sector highly preferred - demonstrating proven experience in fundraising and development roles
- Professional experience in cultivation and management of one or more of the following: annual gifts, major gifts, endowment, government grants, foundation/private grants, special events, campaigns, donor relations.
- 3 years of staff management experience.
- Knowledge of fundraising principles, strategies and tools
- Excellent research skills to identify potential funding opportunities
- Strong track record of successful proposal writing and grant applications
- Proficient in budgeting and financial management for fundraising initiatives
- Experience planning and executing fundraising events
- Knowledge of email marketing platforms
- Familiarity with content management systems
- Outstanding written, verbal and public speaking communication skills; ability to convey clear, structured, articulate, succinct and persuasive proposals; high attention to detail.
- Knowledge and experience with donor databases (NetWorkForGood) and online donation platforms (NetWorkForGood).
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Grant Writing/Reporting/Management (40%):
- Execute and grow a $1 million fund development plan utilizing best practices to cultivate and steward contributions from multiple sectors including foundations, government, corporations and individuals; responsible for grants management activities including developing proposals, writing funding applications, and completing required reports. Write compelling grant proposals and manage the grant application process.
- Create and maintain a master calendar for tracking all application deadlines, reporting requirements, and process management; communicate upcoming deadlines to all necessary internal staff, including program, finance and others.
- Ensure timely submission of letters of inquiry, proposal deadlines, and follow-up questions from prospective funders.
- Coordinate with program staff to gather information, create narrative, and ensure approval for grant deliverables; circulate grant guidelines and RFPs with relevant internal leaders; exercise initiative to collect and finalize program information for proposals; meet with internal leaders and prepare RFIs to gather content.
- Analyze program data and translate into meaningful, illustrative messaging.
- Consult with finance committee to create grant-related budgets.
- Assemble and submit grant packages, including letters, proposals, budgets and presentations; through web based and paper formats; ensure required proposal sections are complete and accurate, including program/project objectives, budget development, and evaluation measures.
- Further assist in the acquisition of funding by representing CASA at on-site visits, giving presentations, and attending donor meetings, coffees, fundraising events, special events and other activities.
- Provide monthly reports to Executive Director on status of proposals in progress and proposals pending.
- Prioritize to keep multiple projects moving in a timely manner, meet deadlines and manage supplemental materials required for proposals.
- Maintain very organized electronic and paper copy files for all grants.
- Maintain status of income and projected income from all grant proposals.
- Provide writing support for major donor and individual contribution letters and acknowledgments.
Donor Cultivation & Stewardship, Campaigns & Events (40%)
- Lead a volunteer committee to grow a develop, design, execute, coordinate and manage donor engagement and retention, 2 annual fundraising events (Mother’s Day Brunch, Dinner & Auction), 1 online campaign (Giving Tuesday), annual fund (Annual Supporters), direct mail, annual impact report, and other donor relationship functions as needed.
- Conduct prospect identification and research of private foundation, government, corporate, community and other sources; utilize online databases, libraries and other sources to locate biographical, financial, and philanthropic information on funders.
- Provide innovative ideas and concepts that can be evaluated and implemented to secure new funding; maintain awareness of current and changing funder interests.
- Identify new opportunities for funding resources and identify information regarding latest research, statistics and information on child abuse and neglect; incorporate into grant applications.
- Develop presentations and keep current on Golden Crescent CASA information.
- Develop and execute fundraising strategies to meet organizational goals
- Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors and sponsors
- Plan and coordinate fundraising events, including logistics, marketing, and donor recognition
- Manage donor database and ensure accurate record keeping
- Collaborate with the recruitment team to develop effective email marketing campaigns
- Conduct research on potential funding opportunities and stay up-to-date on industry trends
- Collaborate with the finance team to create and manage budgets for fundraising initiatives
- Oversee the creation of promotional materials, including brochures, newsletters, and annual reports
Communications (10%):
- Collaborate with Community Engagement Specialist to ensure external communications are coordinated to support fund development activities and community engagement.
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including board directors, community leaders, and volunteers
Additional (10%):
- In accordance with team philosophy, perform other duties as may be requested by the Executive Director.
- Maintain confidentiality of CASA clients, volunteers, staff and donors; protect confidentiality by being aware of information in workspace and of persons who can hear confidential conversations; utilize locking enclosures for paper and electronic information.
- Participate in minimum 12 hours annual self-development training.
- Attend conferences and workshops, meetings and events as requested.
- Participate in fundraising initiatives, projects and events, as requested; attend advocate trainings, advocate recognition events and court hearings periodically.
- Assist in community education and raising awareness about the CASA program.
- Demonstrate and champion alignment with CASA vision, mission, and values in daily work.
- Travel to/from CASA offices located in Victoria and Hallettsville; travel in 8-county service area; and occasional travel to other locations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Exceptional understanding of philanthropy as it relates to the not-for-profit field and extensive knowledge of central disciplines of resource development.
- Strong project and process management, high attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Strong organizational and clerical skills, maintaining complete electronic and paper files.
- Comfort with tasks ranging from daily routine to specialized with strong time management.
- Ability to be flexible and multitask.
- Excellent people skills with the ability to partner with a dynamic leadership team.
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Patient and adaptable approach, working with cross-disciplinary teams in a collaborative style.
- Ability to work independently, be goal-oriented with initiative, and handle multiple priorities with strict deadlines.
- Ability to work in sensitive situations, with sensitive information, and maintain confidentiality.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reach with hands and arms. Stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, grasp, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and speak, hear and read. In-office and out-of-office public contact. Occasionally required to kneel, bend and crouch. Occasionally lift and move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Subject to the usual interruptions associated with providing friendly service and performing multiple duties; respond courteously and professionally; operate typical business office equipment; duties normally provided in surroundings where undesirable physical conditions and hazards are minor and controllable. Sometimes required to attend off-site functions and will be required to provide own transportation (mileage reimbursed).
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Benefits include:
- Health, dental, vision, life, and other elective insurances (50% employer/employee)
- 3% employer contribution to retirement plan
- Self-managed Paid Time Off
ABOUT US:
We envision a world where every child thrives in a safe, stable, loving home. Golden Crescent CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) provides high quality best interest advocacy for children and youth in the child welfare system. We train and empower community volunteers to ensure children’s needs are met and their voices lifted. We commit to strengthen the connections and well-being of children in foster care, one family at a time. Golden Crescent CASA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been in operation for 28 years. Last year, we served 278 children with 85 volunteers in Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Refugio, and Victoria Counties.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
Believing that success follows commitment, we uphold these guiding principles in our workplace and in our work: Build trust, respect, and personal integrity; Maintain high ethical standards; Instill teamwork and open communication; Welcome diversity of views and people, be inclusive and strive for equity; Know our clients, meet their expectations; Provide job and development opportunities; Constantly improve; Reward performance and contribution. We serve to ensure the safety, health and well-being of: Children & Families; Volunteers & Staff; Community; CASA Program Services, Administration and Infrastructure. We aim for the highest and to be the best: Serve 100% of the children in State protective care with volunteers who are fully trained and supported by CASA staff and respected by the judges and community; Be a sound organization with financial stability through diverse funding, long-term income sources and contingencies, while working at capacity and planning for growth; Known as a trusted community resource for providing a meaningful and fulfilling volunteer opportunity while bettering the lives of children and, in turn, bettering our community as a whole.
If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for fundraising and development, we would love to hear from you. Join our team as the Development Director and make a difference in our organization's mission. Apply today!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Dependent health insurance coverage
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Evenings as needed
- Weekends as needed
Education:
Experience:
- Program development: 3 years (Required)
- Grant writing: 3 years (Required)
- Nonprofit management: 3 years (Required)
- Fundraising: 3 years (Required)
Language:
Ability to Commute:
- Victoria, TX 77901 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Victoria, TX 77901: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person