Director - Development & Fundraising

The National Center on Family Homelessness

Newton, MA 02459



The National Center is the leading organization focused solely on ending child and family homelessness. We determine what families need and develop solutions that work. We train and support caregivers to help families in need. We inform policy at local and national levels to achieve lasting change. With the power of knowledge and the will to act, we can end family homelessness and give every child a chance.

Established in 1988, The National Center is the leading expert on the causes and consequences of family homelessness, and the solutions that help children and families overcome this devastating experience. In 1996, we published the seminal study about homeless children and families that documented for the first time the daily struggle of their lives. In 2009, we researched and produced America’s Youngest Outcast: State Report Card on Child Homelessness, a report that found more than 1.5 million children homeless in the U.S. each year, and provided specific steps to reduce and end this national tragedy.

To help us achieve our mission of ending family homelessness, The National Center seeks a highly innovative, imaginative, and energetic senior-level Director of Development and Fundraising, who will work closely with the President, to expand and strengthen its base of support. He/she will plan and execute major campaigns to raise the funds necessary to further the mission and programs of The National Center. The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial and strategic fundraiser with a proven track record in securing principal and major gifts at the corporate and foundation level as well as individual levels, in setting and achieving individual and group goals, and in planning campaigns.

The incumbent will have an in-depth knowledge of grant seeking, annual giving, major and planned gifts, and/or corporate giving; demonstrated results in developing strategic partnerships; and advanced skills in project management and budgeting. S/he will provide leadership and strategic direction in designing and implementing a plan to ensure The National Center reaches its annual and strategic fundraising goals.

Main Responsibilities of the Job
• Define and maintain a sound development program to implement near- and long-term fundraising strategies for operating, program and capital support
• Cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of individual major prospects
• Provide leadership to engage Board members and others interested in the development of activities for the organization
• Engage and solicit existing and prospective donors by mail, phone and electronic solicitation and through events and face-to-face meetings
• Analyze effectiveness of development efforts and makes necessary adjustments
• Is accountable for meeting revenue targets and regular reporting around team goals

Reporting directly to the President, this position will require strong proficiency in:
• Managing an active technical grant schedule for core support as well as special projects including:
o Supporting the writing of new and renewal proposals and reports
o Supporting the prospecting new individual, corporate, foundation and government grant opportunities
o Maintaining calendar of application due dates and write corporate grant requests in a timely manner. Prepare appropriate attachments for corporate grants
o Maintaining calendar of report due dates on grants received. Prepare and submit reports in a timely manner
• Prepare and/or manage the production of all donor communications including correspondence, case statements, grants, brochures and sponsorship proposals required to support fundraising efforts.
o Create, design, edit, and update publicity and fundraising materials such as newsletters, appeal letters, program publicity materials, public relations materials, direct mail materials, photo displays, website and online marketing. Monitor expenditures and relationships with printers and mailing service.
• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with existing and prospective corporate, foundation and individual funding sources including appropriate tracking, acknowledgments.
• Evaluate the public relations and communications efforts and oversee the development of high quality effective and consistent branding materials.
• Coordinate and execute 2-3 successful special events
• Assisting with Major Donor Relationships including: facilitating and managing for President the creating and developing of relationships with major donors
• Interact with program staff and guests to gain insight and information about our programs so as to communicate effectively about our mission
• Participate in management team meetings

Competencies
• A high level of personal motivation, initiative and creativity; and a positive, enthusiastic, high energy “can-do” attitude
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, polished and self-assured, and comfortable with a broad range of constituencies
• A fundraising generalist, with experience from any type of nonprofit organization, with a track record of identifying, cultivating and soliciting major individual and institutional donors is highly desired.
• Capital campaign experience helpful
• Evidence of exceptional entrepreneurial, managerial, inter-personal and team-building skills
• Compassion, patience, and assertiveness
• Knowledge and comfort using a variety of computer programs; specifically proven experience with fundraising software
• Strategic, proactive, results-oriented, willing to roll-up his/her sleeves to do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of the development effort.
• Results-driven management skills and experience in budget development and fiscal accountability.
• Strong writing proficiency in conjunction with excellent time, project management and oral presentation skills.
• Sound interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to listen and evaluate opinions, suggestions and recommendations of others.
• Must be able to develop a strong presence in the community through effective networking, planning and execution of fundraising strategies and continually engage volunteer leadership in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred
• Ten or more years of experience in fundraising and development-related field
• 5+ years in leadership position
• Superior writing, oral communication, interpersonal and business development skills
• Successful experience in development planning and financial management
• Proven experience in development with a successful track record of gift cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
• Aggressive sales mentality with the ability to provide strategic leadership and overall supervision of development efforts
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with team members
• Knowledge of fundraising databases, i.e retrieving and analyzing information to advance fundraising efforts
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and related software
• Experience working with nonprofit boards of directors preferred

When you join us, you can expect competitive salaries, comprehensive benefit programs, and a true focus on work-life balance. You can find all of this in an environment that promotes inclusion.


Contact
To apply or nominate candidates, please submit a letter of interest with resume, credentials and references in confidence to:
Liz Lombard, Vice President Executive Search
Copley Raff, Inc.
Executive Search Division
18 Commerce Way, Suite 2850, Woburn, MA
Telephone: 339-227-6481
www.copleyraff.com
Email: llombard@copleyraff.com

National Center on Family Homelessness is an equal opportunity employer.

For more information about National Center on Family Homelessness, visit: www.familyhomelessness.org