Director of Development

Working closely with the Executive Director, the ABCD Director of Development will be responsible for managing and executing the daily activities and long-term strategy of the organization’s development, fundraising and donor engagement initiatives.

The Development Director will create, manage and execute outreach and communications campaigns targeting foundations, corporations, civic groups and individual donors using varied tactics, including in-person, event, digital, and fundraising platform engagement. The person in this role will oversee and manage all details of ABCD’s signature annual fundraising event – Date with a Plate, including donor development, sponsorship solicitation, and day-of event (ie raffle, live auction) opportunities. She/he will also be responsible for writing and coordinating support for foundation and corporate grant requests and acknowledgment of donor gifts as well as special event planning, coordination and implementation.

The person in this role will be joining a special team. She/he will embrace our mission, be a collaborative team player who partners with colleagues and volunteers and asks great questions. If you are a creative, goal-oriented, self-starter, we invite you to come grow with us.

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

Corporate Sponsorships and Foundations

• Establish and manage relationships with new and existing corporate partners 
• Identify and research prospective corporate partners and develop strategies to grow corporate giving 
• Cultivate corporate partners and deliver the recognition and benefits activities associated with each gift, ie at events, in printed materials, advertising. 
• Manage and support grant writing efforts by researching opportunities, writing sections of grants, proofreading written material, compiling outcomes reports, and assembling necessary supporting documentation

Individual Donor Engagement

• Identify and steward new and existing individual donors 
• Create donor appreciation opportunities and events to engage individual donors throughout the year
• Manage the annual campaign 
• Network and make presentations to groups with individual giving potential 
• Oversee and maintain regular communications with donors, ie thank you letters, holiday cards.

Annual Event Management

Lead all details related to planning and execution of signature annual fundraising event, Date with a Plate, including but not limited to:

• Event logistics, contracts, budget management 
• Direct development of event related marketing materials and communication 
• Manage and execute solicitation of auction or raffle packages 
• Oversee and lead event volunteer committee 
• Ensure event sponsorship benefits are fully executed 

Lead planning and execution for ABCD’s 20th Anniversary Gala/Date with a Plate 2019 to be held on May 18, 2019 at the Pfister

External Relations and Communications

• Develop and execute an integrated donor communications plan that will include elevating awareness about ABCD’s services 
• Manage, write and work with freelancers, designers and consultants as needed to develop collateral for pitching corporate sponsorships and individual donors, including annual campaign, annual report, event materials, donor communications 
• Oversee donor communications, including print communication, social media posts, newsletters, website, media relations. May include overseeing paid advertising initiatives. 
• Identify and attend networking and community events on behalf of ABCD

Requirements:

• At least six years of nonprofit work experience with an emphasis on fundraising, donor development and event management, or equivalent experience 
• Demonstrated experience managing philanthropic and/or corporate relationships, as well as individual donor solicitation, with proven track record achieving revenue goals 
• At least 2 years of experience working in a CRM database required, Salesforce preferred 
• Willingness to become very proficient in ABCD’s CRM system 
• Experience managing and tracking gifts and donor relationships 
• Management of at least one high-profile, multi-faceted professional event 
• Experience negotiating and managing contracts with venues and freelancers 
• Ability to direct designers and other creative services 
• Metrics-driven, goal oriented approach to work; ability to measure and document results on a regular basis 
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Other Skills:

• Familiarity with Milwaukee’s corporate and philanthropic communities 
• Experience in all or some of the following: marketing planning and execution, people management, budgeting, community and public relations 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills coupled with strong interpersonal skills 
• Excellent organizational skills 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks under varying, strict deadlines 
• High energy, motivation, confidence, flexibility, and creativity 
• Willingness and ability to work some nights, early mornings and weekends as required, and drive/travel locally to donor or networking meetings 
• Ability to lift and move packages up to 25 lbs as needed

This is a full-time position located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Benefits include: Medical Coverage, vision and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, personal paid time off.