Development Director

Fun, rewarding, happy, fulfilling, comfortable, joyful… if you like the sound of that, you would love to work for Best Buddies in Virginia & DC. This is how our team describes what it feels like to work for Best Buddies and be in a mission-driven environment every day.

Responsibilities include: The Director of Development designs and implements a comprehensive fundraising plan, incorporating annual giving, grant solicitation and management, special events, and initiatives. Specifically, the DD is expected to ensure the success of Best Buddies signature events at the state level: two Best Buddies Friendship Walks – Washington DC and Richmond, VA (spring) and Best Buddies Homecoming Gala (fall). These events have strong and beloved reputations in our area, and a successful DD will help take them to a new level by developing and implementing new elements, cultivating sponsorship opportunities and the managing of volunteer development and event committees.

Qualifications include:

Four to seven years progressive experience in fundraising including a record of success in expanding a donor base through cultivation and stewardship, event planning/implementation, and/or board management

Bachelor’s degree or at least 4 years’ relevant experience in addition to above experience

Superior persuasive writing and presentation skills with the ability to exert influence, inspire others, and articulate the mission, goals, and activities of Best Buddies with passion and enthusiasm

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and high familiarity/comfort with database management systems (including: Givesmart, Raisers Edge)

Superior project management skills - including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving - and willingness to multitask

Superior initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills, and ability to lead individuals and teams in setting and achieving challenging goals

Must be comfortable engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)

Must be comfortable with frequent local/regional travel, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities

Access to an automobile with applicable insurance and current driver’s license

Job Duties include, but are not limited to:

Development:

• Develops and implements comprehensive regional strategy for securing sustainable funding and works with advisory boards and volunteers on its implementation. Manages Development initiatives and special events as assigned by State Director
• Assumes overall operational management responsibility for all regional fundraising activities, including, but not limited to, foundation and corporate giving, individual giving, major gifts, special events, annual giving, and alumni/parent relations
• Oversees event planning and implementation logistics, including assuming responsibility for meeting or exceeding revenue goals for events and for complying with event best practices, benchmarks and timelines
• Develops and implements major fundraising events to meet revenue goals–must utilize local event committees and follow BBI event committee benchmarks/structure, working with their State Director
• Recruits and trains volunteers to form committees for all events. Works committee volunteers to research, identify and secure event sponsors
• Identifies, cultivates, and develops volunteers capable of making personal commitments and becoming directly involved in the solicitation process on behalf of Best Buddies - develops and manages stewardship process of all donors, including processing gifts and thank you letters
• Serves as staff partner for the Advisory Board Development Committee and event committees as appropriate
• Stewards donors and manages donor relations as appropriate
• Creates sponsorship proposals and event materials; Establishes and maintains effective relationships to develop new sponsorship and donor opportunities
• Develops and maintains an efficient system for tracking information regarding event benchmarks, revenue/expenses to-date, task designation, and other logistics – provides regular progress reports to State Director and HQ Development Team
• Ensures that each event maintains an appropriate revenue/expense ratio per Best Buddies standards

Remote work two days each week (Mondays and Fridays); Paid short- and long-term disability insurance, Medical FSA and Dependent Care FSA; 50% match for 401(k) Plan after 6 months of employment; Cellular phone monthly reimbursement; Pet Benefits; Wellness Benefits: BetterHelp membership, ClassPass monthly fitness platform, and Headspace meditation. Professional development: sessions offered virtually include DEI, leadership and development. Annual Staff Leadership Conference in January off site, and Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University, plus tuition reimbursement.

The opportunity to work in a kind, laid-back office with passionate and friendly colleagues who are committed to making our community more inclusive and believe in friendships for everyone.