Director of Development

Greenwood Project

GP’s mission is to prepare Black and Latinx students to navigate the financial industry through exposure, education, and internship experience. We started with 5 students in 2016 and the model was a success allowing us to expand, refine and grow the organization. Since 2016, GP has served over 400 scholars, expanded to both a college and high school program, and incorporated a fintech program into the education model.

https://www.greenwoodproject.org/


Position Details

Director of Development
Job
Full-time
3/1/2023
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL

Director of Development Overview:

A first-time hire for Greenwood Project, the Director of Development is responsible for leading the organization’s fundraising initiatives and developing strategies to secure donations, build relationships with donors, and increase the donor base. The ideal individual will build and lead a team that works closely with the Executive Director, Board members, and key stakeholders to create a comprehensive fundraising strategy. The Director will continue to grow a robust corporate donor base (~$2.5M in annual funding) while developing an effective strategy to grow the individual, foundation, and government donor base. Through effective leadership and project management, the Director of Development will manage all aspects of development, such as donor relations, special events and campaigns, direct mailings, grants writing/management, and strategic planning.

The ideal candidate has excellent interpersonal skills with an aptitude for relationship-building, enabling them to successfully expand the prospect pipeline and build lasting partnerships with major stakeholders. They must also have the ability to stay organized in a fast-paced work environment while demonstrating creativity in devising solutions for challenges that arise.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement fundraising strategies to secure funding from various sources, including individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government grants. 
  • Design and implement department policies, protocols, and systems, including utilizing technology platforms such as CRM systems or other software applications. 
  • Lead growth of the development department in partnership with the executive team, including the hiring of additional staff. 
  • Manage the development budget and ensure that the organization's fundraising activities are cost-effective and aligned with the organization's financial goals. 
  • Manage and mentor a team of development professionals while ensuring they have the resources and support they need to be successful in their roles and meet their goals and targets. 
  • Develop and execute fundraising campaigns and events.

Education and Experience:

A note to potential candidates:Multiple studies have shown that BIPOC and other candidates from marginalized populations are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications in a job description. Greenwood Project is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization and finding the best candidate for the job. We would strongly encourage interested individuals to apply, even if they don't believe they meet every one of the qualifications described below.

  • Bachelor's degree with a preference for an additional postgraduate degree such as business administration, marketing, public administration, or non-profit management. 
  • A minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in development or fundraising, with a proven track record of success in securing gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government sources. 
  • Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices, including experience with major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, and grant writing. 
  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to manage staff and volunteers, and to build and maintain strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including donors, board members, staff, and community partners. 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing proposals, reports, stewardship materials, and making presentations to groups of all sizes. 
  • Strong strategic planning and analytical skills, including assessing the organization's fundraising needs and developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies. 
  • Strong ethics and integrity, with a commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct in fundraising and donor stewardship. 
  • A deep understanding of the non-profit sector and a passion for the organization's mission. 
  • Experience with financial services is a +.

Shared Values:

  • Cultural Competency: All team members strive to build a working knowledge of the historical, social, and economic history of this country with a particular value for diverse identities, ideas, and experiences. As team members, we consistently work to acquire and apply cultural knowledge and adapt to the cultural context of various communities. We are reflective and often think about the impact of our actions, words, and thoughts on various components of their and others’ intersectional lines of identity. We strive to self-monitor our various layers of privilege and push the organization to be the strongest collection of voices possible. 
  • Influence and Impact: We value learning about the working styles and preferences of others and strive to adapt our approach to maximize the success of everyone on the team. 
  • Strategic Thinking: We critically analyze inputs and think through the long-term outputs of the organization, working to create systems and structures that are scalable and sustainable. 
  • Self-Direction: Our team members operate with both initiative and follow-through to ensure that we can operate in ways that build trust in each other


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