Summary
Description
Title: Director of Development
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Exempt, Full Time
Overview:
Child Advocates – Denver CASA advocates for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect by training diverse volunteers who create opportunities for children, youth, and families to thrive. Denver CASA trains and supervises Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteers who work with children and youth who have been abused and neglected and have a child welfare case open.
Purpose:
The Director of Development is responsible for leading and executing the organization’s fundraising and resource development strategies to ensure sustainable growth and advancement of its mission. This role involves identifying, cultivating, and maintaining relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders, while overseeing a comprehensive development plan that includes major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events. The Director will collaborate with senior leadership and the Board of Directors to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals and to secure the necessary resources for long-term impact and success.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:
Denver CASA continues to build a diverse and inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the distinct voices of our employees, volunteers, board members, and children served. We want every employee to feel valued and appreciated and bring their full, authentic self to work. Child Advocates-Denver CASA is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We seek a broad and diverse pool of candidates.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Fundraising & Development
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Develop and implement a strategic and tactical development plan to achieve the annual fundraising goals of the organization, including donor acquisition strategies, appeal planning, annual giving plans, and donor management and retention strategies.
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Develop a plan for a robust major gift program, including identifying resources needed to be successful, potential prospects, researching existing donors, and developing outreach plans.
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Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual donors and corporate partners, directly making the ask for major gifts and partnership support.
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Drive revenue development to increase the overall organizational budget to support growth under an established strategic plan.
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Lead the organization's grant strategy, working closely with and overseeing Denver CASA's contracted grant writer to identify opportunities, manage the grant calendar, and ensure timely, high-quality submissions and reporting.
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Work with Development Committees (Event and Strategic), Board, and Executive Director to accomplish development plan goals.
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Oversee the annual giving campaign and manage the donor database (Bloomerang), working with the Development Associate to ensure proper data entry, acknowledgements, and reporting that reconciles with the organization's financials.
Marketing & Events
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Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events, promotions, campaigns, and communications.
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Oversee all marketing efforts, including general and donor-specific communication via annual reports, newsletters, social media, websites, press releases, direct mail, event promotions, and development of collateral, providing direction and oversight to staff managing day-to-day social media content.
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Oversee community engagement and volunteer recruitment, working with the Community Engagement Manager to identify engagement opportunities, collaborate on volunteer recruitment strategy, and plan two annual gift-in-kind donation drives in support of the Programs Department.
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Serve as lead storyteller for the organization, working in concert with program staff to deliver authentic and compelling storytelling content to donors, supporters, and potential supporters.
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Analyze the effectiveness of development and outreach efforts and report to the Board of Directors and the Executive Director on progress, and provide expertise and direction for future goals.
Administration & Leadership
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Supervise and coach two direct reports, including the Community Engagement Manager and the Development Associate.
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Participate in the leadership team establishing organizational and fundraising strategies, policies, procedures, plans, goals, and budget.
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Monitor department budgets, control and approve expenditures in keeping with the approved budget, and ensure that program financial performance is in line with the approved plan.
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Work in concert with the Executive Director and Director of Operations to collect and organize documentation required for financial administration and reporting.
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Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
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At least 5 years of experience in fundraising with a track record of creating strategic fundraising plans and meeting or exceeding revenue targets.
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Proven experience in prospecting, soliciting, and stewarding individual major gifts and corporate partnerships.
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Proven record of increasing revenue year over year from diversified funding sources.
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Understanding of grants and the grant cycle, with experience overseeing or working with a grant writer.
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Proven experience planning successful in-person events.
DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
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Strong commitment to Child Advocates – Denver CASA’s mission and the children and families we serve.
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Excellent leadership, management, and decision-making skills.
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Experience working with diverse communities, demonstrating cultural competence and the ability to build inclusive relationships across various social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds
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Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize workloads. As well as the ability to take initiative in completing assigned projects independently.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including copywriting and correspondence.
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High level of competence with technology and experience with donor and event software.
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Must be available for flexible day, evening, and weekend work hours, sometimes off-site.
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Enjoys collaboration and working as a team.
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Ability to maintain and honor confidential information.
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Valid Colorado driver’s license and own transportation.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & TRAVEL:
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Position may require transporting donated items, event materials, and other items up to 40 lbs for community engagement and fundraising events.
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Event-related work involves long hours of standing and interacting with donors, guests, and prospective volunteers.
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Some local travel is required within the Denver metro area.
Salary Range: $85,000 – $100,000 depending on experience
BENEFITS:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
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Paid time off accrued based on years of service (health and vacation time combined into a single bank), plus paid holidays
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance
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Short-term disability insurance
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Life insurance
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403(b) retirement plan
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Hybrid work environment — two days per week in the office
TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter and a resume at this link.
In your cover letter, please incorporate your response to the following questions:
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In the current economic climate, how do you think nonprofits should plan for future financial sustainability?
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Describe a recent experience personally soliciting a major gift or significant individual donation. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?
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Denver CASA relies heavily on storytelling to connect donors to our mission. What excites you about serving as the organization's lead storyteller, and how would you approach donor stewardship and communications?
