Director, Development

Job Description

Job Description

Salary :

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The mission of Sunshine Gospel Ministries (SGM) is to seek the renewal of the city through ministries of discipleship, mercy and justice.

Our vision is to empower youth and families to thrive and lead prosperous, healthy lives through connectedness, opportunity, and economic sustainability.

Our culture is open, warm, inviting and family oriented. We are a ministry that seeks individuals who have a passion for the gospel, and our youth and families in the Woodlawn community.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development is responsible for all vital fundraising streams that allow SGM to achieve its mission and maximize its impact in the community.

Tasked with developing and executing the annual fundraising plan with the goal of raising the Board approved annual budget.

This role involves prospect research and cultivation, working with Board members, financial budgeting and forecasting, and building relationships with individual donors, institutional and corporate funders, staff, and volunteers.

This role will work closely with the Executive Director in implementing major giving, planned giving, and campaign fundraising strategies.

Additionally, this role will oversee all development staff.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / FUNCTIONS

The duties include but are not limited to the following :

Development Activities :

• Donor & Funder Cultivation : Identify, cultivate, and build strong relationships with major gift prospects (institutional funders currently giving or capable of a $10,000 grant or more and individuals either currently, or have potential of, giving $1,000 or more at a time) which will include high-net-worth individuals, corporate partners, government contacts, and foundation representatives.
• Portfolio Management : Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, overseeing all aspects of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Customized Solicitations : Develop customized solicitation strategies based on donor interests, motivations, and capacity, ensuring meaningful engagement and successful gift solicitation.
• Collaboration : Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including the executive director, program managers, and other fundraising professionals, to align major gift strategies with overall organizational priorities.
• Donor Engagement : Plan and execute engagement events, donor recognition programs, and cultivation opportunities to deepen relationships and enhance donor loyalty.
• Proposal Development : Prepare compelling proposals, gift agreements, and presentations that clearly communicate the impact of major gifts and the organization's funding needs.
• Team Leadership : Lead, mentor, and manage the development team, providing guidance, coaching, and performance evaluations.

Budgeting, Planning, and Reporting :

• Collaborate with the senior leadership team in establishing the overall organizational budgets and goals for a given year
• Work with the Board of Directors, including the Board fundraising committee, in development related projects.
• Engage regularly with senior leadership to ensure development efforts are aligned with ongoing programmatic activities and initiatives.
• Set quarterly development goals, review monthly with the Development Team, Executive Director, and senior leadership.
• Maintain overall development strategy for all activities leading to revenue generation, with special focus on major gifts across donor segments
• Manage expense budgets for development activities.
• Set and maintain key development metrics (i.e., donor visits, asks made, gifts closed, etc.).
• Lead and participate in the Development and Community Relations Board Committee
• Use applicable CRM to maintain accurate records of donor interactions, gift commitments, and other relevant information in the donor management system.

Provide regular updates on progress and outcomes to the leadership team and Board.

Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned

RELATED DUTIES

This position requires a flexible work schedule that includes weekdays, evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

EDUCATION SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED :

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 4 years in the fundraising field.
• Proven track record of successfully securing 5-7 figure major gifts from individuals, corporations, and / or foundations.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, donor engagement strategies, and moves management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and leading fundraising teams, fostering collaboration and achieving results.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies.
• Proficiency in using donor management software and other fundraising tools.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and socioeconomic dynamics present in the Woodlawn neighborhood and greater City of Chicago.
• Commitment to the organization's mission and values.

PREFERRED :

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Experience in the private, nonprofit sector in the Chicagoland area.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical demands : While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk and / or sit; use hands to fingers or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms;

balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, push, lift, as well as have overhead extension of arms.

Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment : While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a public building and / or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times, can be high.

DIRECT REPORTS

Grants and Institutional Giving Manager