POSITION SUMMARY

The Second Harvest Food Bank’s (SHFB) Advancement Team is dedicated to building community awareness and ensuring continued growth in philanthropic giving for SHFB’s mission. 

The Development Director has the responsibility for planning, implementing, and directing all aspects of raising funds and public awareness for the organization.  This position will work toward a diversified funding base by identifying and researching potential major donors including individuals, foundations, corporations, businesses, government, and estates, focusing efforts inside and outside of Erie County as well as maximizing existing campaigns and events. 

The Development Director works closely with the VP of Advancement and CEO to develop strategies to meet short and long-range funding goals to support the mission of SHFB.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

1. Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
2. Interact professionally with other employees and external customers.
3. Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
4. Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with others.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  These job functions are done personally or through supportive staff.  This list is not all-inclusive, and other duties may be assigned.

Fund Development

Direct Mail

• Responsible for direct mail strategies.  Sets goals, evaluates results, and identifies and implements new approaches to direct mail campaigns.
• Creates recognition letters and develops a stewardship plan that will effectively and enthusiastically convey the organization’s appreciation.

Grant Applications

• Prepares grant proposals.  Cultivates foundation and corporate relationships, identifies grant requirements and time frames, prepares and submits grant proposals which are complete, specific and reflect the priorities and mission of the Food Bank in order to maximize income goals. 
• Collaborates with finance and program staff to ensure appropriate grant reporting, documentation and required follow-up are conducted.

Special Events

• Develops budget, action plans and reports for each event and campaign to enhance effectiveness and maximize revenue.  Works with staff to coordinate and run successful events and campaigns.
• Serves in key roles on major fundraising events to benefit Second Harvest.

Major Gifts and Planned Giving

• Develops a “major gift” and “planned giving” program by working with financial institutions and community groups to provide information to individuals concerning the benefits and processes for establishing a planned gift (i.e. wills, trust and bequests).

• Cultivates relationships with donors, conducting face-to-face visits as needed. Works toward a diversified funding base by identifying and researching potential major donors including individuals, foundations, corporations, businesses, government and estates, focusing efforts inside and outside of Erie County, and keeps past contributors involved.
• Establishes and implements programs and guidelines for donor stewardship and recognition that effectively and enthusiastically conveys the organization’s appreciation.

            Marketing and Public Awareness

• Supervises all communications, including but not limited to SHFB website, newsletters, donation solicitations, social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs, etc.
• Presents talks and tours of SHFB as needed.
• Develops and implements innovative strategies for continually improving SHFB’s impact, effectiveness, and quality of fundraising activities.

• Drive the strategy and execution of all brand initiatives to ensure consistency and a positive public perception.

Media Relations

• Develops, cultivates and manages partnerships with members of the media throughout our 11-county service area and communicates with them in an on-going fashion to promote SHFB and its initiatives. Seeks opportunities for coverage, generating story line opportunities with new and traditional outlets.
• Serves as back up to the CEO and/or VP of Advancement as spokesperson of the organization.

Promotional Materials

• Creates, writes, and manages production of SHFB offline promotional materials including annual report, informational and fact sheets, brochures, etc. 

Other Duties:

• Creates and submits monthly progress reports, based on statistical analysis, to the VP of Advancement and/or CEO.
• Works closely with staff to implement plans, budget and forecasts, build community awareness and cultivate relationships. Helps staff establish strategies and annual goals.

• Ensures that the donor database is accurate and that appropriate acknowledgements for donations are executed in a timely manner.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the VP of Advancement and/or CEO.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages team members of the Development Department.  Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of department projects.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or University; master’s degree preferred, and 4-6 years related nonprofit development experience with at least 3 years in a management capacity and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be able to write letters, speeches and articles for publication that conforms to prescribed style and format.  Must be able to effectively and efficiently communicate with co-workers.  Must be able to think creatively in order to introduce new ideas to the SHFB.  Ability to effectively respond to common inquiries and complaints from members of the community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Must demonstrate success in managing and motivating staff.  Must be able to serve as a representative of the Food bank in the community, cultivating supporters and networking as appropriate.  Must be willing to work beyond normal working hours as necessary.  Proficiency in Windows based computer programs is required.  Experience in Fundraising software is preferred, with a preference for DonorPerfect. This position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, ability to work in a team atmosphere, handle multiple projects, meet critical deadlines, and manage a flexible schedule.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel or crouch.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.