Director of Development

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

THE FOREST PARK CONSERVANCY (FPC) seeks an experienced fund raising professional as its first Director of Development. Working 35 hours a week, this executive will build upon the successes of Board and Executive Director to manage a development effort, doubling fund raising results over five years. FPC has for the past 3 years met its fundraising goals; next year’s adopted budget of $471,000 represents a $60,000, or 13% increase in revenue expectations. FPC intends to increase fund raising success to fund the restoration of one of Portland’s most treasured city parks, Forest Park, the largest urban forest in the United States. The case is dramatic and the potential among those who enjoy and treasure this iconic Portland resource is tremendous.

WHO WILL RELISH THIS CHALLENGE?

Although The Forest Park Conservancy development program is relatively young, it has had tremendous success with the assistance of an energetic Executive Director and Board. A professional who dreams of greatly advancing an organization and its critical mission---the restoration and preservation of Portland’s Forest Park-----will relish this opportunity. The ideal candidate offers significant major gift /capital campaign experience as well as deep roots in annual giving based on a work history and successful track record in the Portland metropolitan area. Candidates should have successfully solicited gifts of $10,000 and higher and effectively collaborated with board level volunteers to do so. Experience in conservation organizations is highly desirable.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND REPORTING

• Based upon our donor and prospect analysis, review/revise/update a comprehensive annual development plan and calendar indicating goals in donors and dollars for each campaign segment: Unrestricted Annual Giving (Membership), Special Unrestricted Gifts, Restricted Major Gifts, Planned Gifts, Family Foundations, Private Foundations, Corporations, Other Businesses and organizations. (Provide analysis supporting projections for each segment: Number of donors, prospects, and % increase with step by step strategy for each segment)

• Recommend an annual budget to support the plan.

• Report results to the Board on a quarterly basis by segment and provide accurate data for the fall annual report.

• Review and refresh the Case for Fundraising and website donation tools to ensure that motivational giving opportunities are clearly defined and supported by mission and strategic planning.

• Initiate a special event to build membership and giving. (Although the Board is eager to launch a major fund raising event, it acknowledges that events require a huge commitment of staff resources and usually take two or three years to make a sufficient contribution to the budget.)

DONOR RECOGNITION

• Develop a written donor recognition policy including each level and segment of donors. Oversee written communications (email, website, mail, newsletters, annual report) provide donor recognition. Supervise the process of donor acknowledgements to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

• Train Board and manage its donor recognition activity

• Ensure timely, personalized gift acknowledgements

• Ensure that major donors/ foundations received regular reports on results of grants.

MAJOR PROSPECT IDENTIFICATION, CULTIVATION, AND SOLICITATION

• Further develop ongoing prospect identification and qualification activity, involving Board and other leadership volunteers.

• Collaborate on identifying and cultivating potential Board members. Assist with the prioritization of prospects and develop and manage a cultivation/solicitation plan for the top ten percent of qualified prospects.

• Research giving guidelines to identify appropriate Foundation prospects and with participation of the /Executive Director develop proposals for foundation grants.

• As major/or planned restricted gifts are negotiated, ensure that there is a written, signed agreement between donor and FPC regarding the terms of the gift.

FISCAL/ ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

• With staff refine the use of Raiser’s Edge to ensure accurate accounting and donor recognition as well as appropriately targeted fund raising appeals.

• Collaborate with volunteer leaders and staff to develop “earned income” potential from products.

• Recruit, train and manage volunteers for major gift cultivation and solicitation activity, fund raising or cultivation events, etc.

• Supervise staff activity regarding gift recording, reports, and acknowledgements, and staff managing volunteers for fundraising purposes.

• With Executive Director and based on annual fundraising plan, develop personal work plan with clear and measureable fundraising goals and objectives.

• With Executive Director, regularly review development budget. Recommend achievable fundraising goals to Board Finance Committee in preparation for Budget preparation.

• Collaborate with communications team to ensure coordination of messages.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SKILLS AND STYLE

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in related field (journalism, marketing, communication) Professional development workshops and courses.

Certification: Certification through the Association of Fund Raising Professionals

Professional Associations: Active membership in Willamette Valley Development Organization or related/similar organization.

Communication: Excellent speaking and writing skills, Experience in developing publications, proposals for grants and major gifts, and gift appeals for email and regular mail. Experience with social marketing venues and other electronic tools.

Fundraising: Solid success in meeting goals and in achieving major gifts from individuals and foundations in the greater Portland area. Experience in on line fundraising a plus.

Management: Excellent planning, organizational and time management to support accurate record keeping, prospect management, and Board level volunteer management. Skilled use of tools such as Microsoft Office, PhotoShop, Publisher and other graphic design programs, and fundraising data bases---preferably Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge.

Personal Style: Creative, Outgoing, Enthusiastic, Innovative, Collaborative, Organized, Detail Oriented, Flexible, Outgoing, Able to balance personal life with some weekend/evening responsibilities. A team player.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Employer paid medical, dental coverage. Generous vacation, personal, sick leave and holidays. Salary range between $45,000 and $52,000 based upon experience. This is a 35 hour a week position with occasional weekend/ evening hours; full time negotiable based on achievement of goals.

THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Executive Director and Development Director share a half time Development and Outreach Associate and three-quarter time Membership Coordinator and Office Administrator,

DESIRED START: No later than November 1, 2010.

COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2010. MAIL TO Michelle Bussard, Executive Director, Forest Park Conservancy, 1505 NW 23rd Ave., Portland, OR, 97202. Please, do not send email inquiries, letters or resumes.