Departmental Leadership 

• Provide strategic direction to and implementation of the Chapter’s overall development program. Develop and maintain a consistent process to manage donor cultivation and stewardship efforts. 

• Identify long-term initiatives and prepare timelines/strategies for successful implementation.  

• Lead activities to ensure a donor-centered culture of philanthropy exists throughout chapter programs, activities, and communications.  

• Provide collaborative leadership on the Senior Team, representing development department initiatives, goals, and progress.  

• In consultation with the CEO, establish fundraising goals for the development department as a whole and for each individual staff member. Participate in the development/growth of the staff and conduct performance reviews and coaching in a timely manner.  

• Foster a culture of cooperation and collaboration among departments of the chapter.  

• Oversee a donor recognition/retention plan for the chapter.  

• Design the type/frequency of donor communications to keep them informed and engaged.  

• Oversee preparation and management of department revenue and expense budgets and actively participate in discussions/exercises surrounding completion of organizational annual budget and forecasts.  

• Hire, train, supervise and review the performance of direct reports.  

• Ensure that appropriate direction, support, accountability, and feedback to all development staff is provided on a continual basis.  

• Utilize metrics for performance and measurement of success. 

Development/Revenue 

• In consultation with CEO, define and manage organizational programs for individual giving including annual fund, major, planned, and endowment gifts. Set financial benchmarks and ensure successful implementation of activities to meet revenue goals.  

• Lead efforts to strategize and assign donor portfolios. Work closely with CEO and other development staff to ensure excellence in relationship management, including ongoing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for current and prospective donors.  

• Maintain a portfolio to cultivate, steward and solicit individual donors, foundation, corporate donors, and other entities to increase the base of support from current and potential donors.  

• Direct, coordinate and implement a comprehensive fundraising and development plan with detailed and corresponding strategies providing strategic direction to overall fundraising strategy and ensure consistency and coordination of development efforts.  

• Oversee relationship-based fundraising, engagement, and cultivation events.  

• Coordinate with Make-A-Wish America National staff members to understand and strategize on national campaigns and resources that support the elevation and growth of chapter revenue. 

Board of Directors/Committees 

• Work closely with the CEO regarding the development of board members to realize the annual goals and objectives of the chapter.  

• Encourage and support current and former members to maximize the engagement of their networks in helping our chapter to achieve its mission.  

• Serve as the staff liaison to the Board’s Fund Development Committee, providing the chair with analyses, meeting agenda and overall strategic development direction. Oversee Councils, regional and corporate. 

• Engage, support and coach all volunteers to maximize their fundraising efforts.  

General 

• Ensure strong partnership with CEO on development strategies, major donors, and chapter plans.  

• Ensure solid communication and trust between development and other departments.  

• Provides organizational leadership, models organizational culture and behavioral expectations, and defines strategy as a member of the management team.  

• Ensure that plans, policies, and procedures related to philanthropy are written down, up-to-date and clearly available for staff and Board member use in accordance with MAWFA standards.  

• Actively participate in all local internal fundraising events and represent the chapter at special events/public speaking engagements as requested by the CEO.  

• Network with members of the local business community, philanthropy community, fellow non-profit organizations, and other Make-A-Wish chapters to increase awareness for our mission, attract financial support and discover and implement new initiatives adaptable for our chapter  

• Monitor monthly revenue results and expense statements, prepare forecasts, and gap plans, and lead annual budget process; prepare alternate plans of action when necessary to meet overall financial goals. 

• Perform other duties as assigned.