Volunteer Philanthropy Director

Save to Favorites

Volunteer Director of Philanthropy

Job Summary

Fosters a culture of philanthropy within the organization. Assures that the organization’s

non-profit culture, systems and procedures support fund development and vice versa. Leads staff and

volunteers to institutionalize philanthropy and fund development within the organization.

Plans, coordinates and assures implementation of strategies to develop donors and contributions

to support the organization. Assures development and maintenance of appropriate systems to fund

development including but not limited to volunteer and donor management, research and cultivation, gift

processing and recognition. Maintains accountability and compliance standards for donors and funding

sources.

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Nature and Scope of Position

1. Participates with the management team, staff and governing body to define the organization’s

mission and direction regarding philanthropy.

a) Ensures that philanthropy and fund development are carried out in keeping with the

organization’s values, mission, vision and plans.

b) Participates with the management team, staff and board in charting the organization’s

course in fund development.

c) Evaluates the effect of internal and external forces on the organization and its fund

development, recommends short- and long-range fund development plans and programs that

support the organization’s values, mission and general objectives.

d) Keeps informed of developments in philanthropy and fund development as well as the

general fields of management and the not-for-profit sector; informs the chief executive

officer, development committee(s) and board on current trends, issues, problems and

activities in order to facilitate policy making. Recommends policy positions concerning fund

development.

e) Helps develop a balanced funding mix of donor sources and solicitation programs tailored to

the needs of the organization that will enable it to attract, retain and motivate donors and

fundraising volunteers.

f) Helps establish performance measures, monitors results and helps the management team,

development committee(s) and board evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s fund

development program

2. Provides general oversight of all of the organization’s fund development activities, manages the day-

to-day operations of the development function, and monitors adequacy of activities through

coordination with staff, appropriate committees, and governing body.

a) Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintains accountability standards

to donors and ensures compliance with code of ethical principles and standards of

professional conduct for fundraising executives.

b) Ensures establishment of and compliance with the organization’s own fund development and

philanthropic principles, policies and procedures.

c) Assures stability by creating a working environment that is rewarding to staff and volunteers.

d) Appropriately represents the institution, its board and management team to donors, prospects,

regulators, development committee(s) and fundraising volunteers.

e) Fosters a smoothly operating development function through timely and effective resolution of

disruptions.

3. Ensures attainment of the organization’s fund development activities through the selection,

development, motivation and evaluation of human resources, both professional and volunteer.

a) Helps the board and development committee(s) determine accountabilities for board members

and fundraising volunteers and helps evaluate performance regularly.

b) Helps identify, cultivate, recruit, and develop fundraising volunteers and leadership. Trains,

places, coordinates and supervises fundraising volunteers.

c) Establishes personnel accountabilities for development staff and evaluates performance

regularly.

d) Designs educational programs in fund development for staff and volunteers; participates as

teacher and facilitator. Pursues formal and informal education for self and others.

4. Works with the management team and chair of the governing

board to ensure fulfillment of fund development roles and facilitate the optimum interaction between

management and volunteers.

a) Engages people in process, encourages questioning, and promotes participatory decision-

making.

b) With the management team and development committee(s) chair(s), develops agendas for meetings so that the

committees can fulfill their responsibilities effectively; develops an annual calendar to cover

all crucial development issues in a timely fashion.

a) Informs the COO and volunteer leadership on the condition of the organization’s

fund development program and on all important factors influencing it.

b) Gets the best thinking and involvement of each board member and each fundraising

volunteer; and, stimulates each one to give his/her best.

c) Works with the management team and volunteer leadership to make development committee(s)

and the board function effectively in fund development.

d) Annually, evaluates the performance of fundraising volunteers and reports to the executive

director with recommendations for board candidacy.

5. Designs and assures implementation of cost-effective fund development programs, employing

economy while maintaining an acceptable level of quality and solid return on investment.

a) Assures proper planning including goal setting, strategy identification, benchmarking and

evaluation to support fund development.

b) Assures sound fiscal operation of development function including timely, accurate and

comprehensive development of charitable contributions income and expense budgets,

reporting, monitoring and implementation.

c) Combines development resources in such a way as to maximize quantity and quality to obtain

a set of results. Assures appropriate market testing to reduce risk and assure success.

d) Helps board members, management team , other fundraising volunteers and staff identify,

cultivate and solicit charitable gifts.

e) Solicits contributions on behalf of the organization, generally by accompanying volunteers.

f) Assures development and writing of foundation, corporate and government proposals and

solicitation materials.

g) Assures design and maintenance of donor and prospect records, gift management systems,

and informational reports.

h) Assures appropriate prospect research.

i) Assures design and implementation of cultivation, acknowledgment and recognition

programs.

Primary Relationships

This position reports to the COO and serves as a part of the senior management team. The

position supervises the following positions:

Within the organization, the position has primary relationships with the financial operation, senior

management staff, and program staff. Outside the agency, the position coordinates with the governing

board, fundraising volunteers, donors and funding sources.

Performance expectations

As a member of the senior management team, this is a high-stress position that helps set the

direction and ensures the health of the institution. The individual is expected to be a competent

fundraising technician and an excellent organizational development specialist.

The individual is expected to: Translate broad goals into achievable steps. Help set and manage

appropriate expectations. Handle detailed, complex concepts and problems and make rapid decisions

regarding management and development issues. Plan and implement programs. Establish strong and

appropriate relationships with Management Team, staff, governing board, volunteers, donors and the general

community. Develop smooth and constructive relationships with people from all segments of the

community.

The individual is expected to: Plan and meet deadlines. Maintain a flexible work schedule to meet

the demands of executive management. Demonstrate initiative and work as a team player.

The individual is expected to: Adhere to the highest ethical standards in management,

governance, and fund development. Convey a professional and positive image and attitude regarding the

organization and the not-for-profit sector. Demonstrate commitment to continued professional growth and

development

Qualifications

Comprehensive management skills and experience are required including but not limited to short

and long-term planning, evaluation, directing and motivating staff, oral and written communication skills,

marketing and financial management, values clarification, organizational behavior and development, and

governance.

The position requires demonstrated experience in managing and implementing a comprehensive

fund development program and producing charitable contributions. The individual is expected to be a

highly competent enabler of volunteers and staff.

Knowledge and experience in the following areas is required: the nature and dimensions of

philanthropy, ethics, motivations for giving and volunteering, research and cultivation practices, standard

fundraising techniques including face-to-face solicitation, proposal writing, special events, telephone

solicitation, and direct mail, and, development office functions including gift processing, prospect and

donor histories, and fundraising reporting. The individual is also expected to have demonstrated

experience and confidence in asking people to contribute time and money. Familiarity with computer

systems is necessary.

The amount of knowledge required would typically be acquired in a bachelors degree and a

minimum of 7 years fundraising experience in a professional position. Membership in a professional

fundraising association is expected of a professional. Baseline certification in fund raising, the CFRE

(Certified Fund Raising Professional) is preferred.