Seeking a special person to manage the philanthropy program of Founders Hall, a donor-supported education and recreation center for individuals age 60 and older.
The Development Director works with and supports the Executive Director in developing and implementing strategies which include major gifts, direct mail campaign, planned gifts, grant applications, fundraising events and donor cultivation. In addition to development duties, the Development Director will work with the team to help achieve our mission of providing a diverse program of social, educational and physical fitness programs for today’s active seniors in a warm, fun and stimulating atmosphere.
Please submit resume to: grace@founders-hall.org.
Job Description
Title: Director of Development
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: 193 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Summary
This position is responsible for achieving an annual fund-raising target through a range of activities, campaigns and events. The role involves working with our members, the general public and corporate and business organizations, as well as with charitable foundations and trusts, to raise awareness of Founders Hall work, aims and goals and to explore and potentially increase the amount and ways by which those individuals and groups contribute. Works in team fashion with other staff to help organize Founders Hall activities on behalf of members. Strong written and verbal communication skills and the willingness to take personal initiative as well as decision-making abilities are required.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
1. Builds and maintains relationships with donors and potential donors - this may include the writing and circulation of letters and posters as well as attendance at events in the community.
2. Organizes the use of direct mailing to a wide-range of potential and current donors.
3. Organizes traditional fundraising activities, such as Battle of the Chefs, Wreath Festival and Wine, Cheese and Accessories.
4. Develops new and imaginative fundraising activities, many of which are event-based.
5. Increases funding through researching, targeting and soliciting sponsorships from corporations and individuals.
6. Increases funds through researching, targeting and soliciting support from charitable foundations submitting grant requests as necessary.
7. Oversees corporate fundraising, including employee giving and matched giving from employers.
8. Works with Communications Manager regarding promotion, marketing and advertising of campaigns and events.
9. Works with Executive Director to raise awareness of the center and its work - this may involve giving talks to groups, radio interviews and writing press releases.
11. Prepares updated reports for Director and Board of Directors.
12. Monitors income and expenditures against the budget allocated and the target that has been determined.
13. Works as team member to accomplish Founders Hall mission.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
1. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals in a busy community.
2. Travel within a working day is frequent with occasional absence from home in the evening.
3. Knowledge of communication principles, media, and marketing techniques.
4. Good writing and communication skills.
5. Knowledge of computers and related software applications.
6. Working hours are basically 8am-5pm but flexibility is required as you may have to attend meetings and give presentations in the evenings and attend events run on the weekend.
7. Ability to make decisions and judgments.
8. Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
9. Excellent telephone skills.
10. Ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports.
Minimum Job Requirements
BA required. Three years of experience in donor relations and fundraising as well as general work experience gained in the fields of marketing, public relations, advertising, or sales and finance, is necessary. Knowledge of Donor Perfect preferred.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
1. Work is normally performed in a typical interior/work environment.
2. Some physical effort required for set up of fundraising and member events.
3. No, or very limited, exposure to physical risk.
About Founders Hall
Founders Hall, a 501(c)3 public charity incorporated under the name Founders Hall Foundation, Inc., is a donor-supported education and recreation center for people age 60 and older who live in Ridgefield, or in one of the surrounding towns that do not have their own senior centers. Our mission is to provide a diverse program of social, educational and physical fitness programs for today’s active seniors in a warm, fun and stimulating atmosphere. As a community that warmly welcomes and engages all who walk through our doors, we believe in the possibilities presented by life after 60 and the realization of life-long learning. We also believe that life-long learning should be available to all, regardless of income. That’s why Founders Hall has no membership fee, extremely low program fees, and many free social and educational events.